Cosby: Brutally honest or elitist snob?

Earlier this month Bill Cosby took a segment of the black community to task on issues from their grammar to complaints about police brutality. Some people said he was being brutally honest, while others said his remarks were a classist, elitist attack on the poor. What do you think? Read the story: Some angry, some agree with Cosby criticisms Renee Graham commentary: This Cosby show is undeserved

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I agree totally with Mr Cosby's statements. I feel ashamed when I hear people speak in the ways he highlighted in his statements. We need more discussion on solutions rather than being upset that it was said by Mr. Cosby.

Mario

Well said for something difficult that needed to be said. The truth isn't always what we want to hear. Maybe someone will hear.

Deb

This is more of a social issue than a "community" issue. Bill just happens to be partial to the black community and as such, he's calling out the parents to start taking a more active role in their community and the raising of their children so that they can in turn become more productive and successful adults. The white community among others has its share of misdirected young adults with uninvolved parents so maybe someone should step up and provide a little calling out to the those communities as well... Like the old saying goes, "If you're not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem"...

DH

Douglas, from Maine....you do not have to be from a "well-to-do-family" to learn respect and the english language. You learn from your surroundings. If you don't like your surroundings then work hard, EARN respect and make your life better. It doesn't take money to discipline people. I am not from a "well-to-do-family" but I was taught respect, I was taught to dress properly and speak propertly and be home at a decent hour and go to school and LEARN, just as I have taught my children. I've never looked for handout and neither will they. I agree completely with Bill Cosby's comments, I'm just thankful it came from an African-American because otherwise everyone would be screaming DISCRIMINATION.

JMB

One thing to note is that most of the people answering this message board poll probably are NOT in the economic class that Mr. Cosby was talking about. That said, I have to point to the basic point of his statement: if you do nothing to better yourself, you are not going to get any better no matter what kind of help you receive. Also, if you show an initiative, people are more likely to want to help. What Cosby appears to be frustrated about is the "learned helplessness" that permeates the lesser economic classes. (I take race out of the equation because this really is not about race as much as it is about socio-economic issues; in some cities it is the Hispanic population, in others it is Asian groups.) Another interesting angle is the notion of what is "better"; cultural differences between economic groups is often as disparate as those between different cultures. Regardless of his intent, his delivery, or the repercussions of his statements, I believe Cosby was speaking out on issues that he sees are antithetical to his efforts to advance equal opportunity, for the black population in particular. Therefore, I can do nothing but applaud the man for his words.

lmp

"Some angry, some agree with Cosby criticisms" ... Funny how 95% of this message board supports Cosby, but "some angry" are the first words of the article. Just goes to show you where the Globe's allegiances lie. Go ahead, censor me; you know it's true.

Hoyle

I think Bill Cosby's heart was in the right place. African American children are in trouble.

Camille

I think Bill is right on target, and more people should do the same regardless of race, age or sex. There is nothing wrong with advocating education. It should be expected of someone of his ilk. He should promote the use of proper English, he should chastise parents for their irresponsible raising of children. I could't agree with Mr. Cosby more. I wonder where the leaders of the black community are, in Boston and elsewhere. I am caucasian, and write this with trepidation for I know the ramifications of cultural or racial criticism. However, I think it is important to point out that there are certain groups within our society who do not appear to be benefiting society equally. Why is it that we constantly see black children speaking so poorly? Why is it that there is such a disproportionate amount of minorities in prision populations? Why do minority populations make up so much of the welfare rolls? The black population needs a proactive leader, someone who can demonstrate what it means to be a net contributor to society, someone who inspires black people and everyone else to speak well, strive for success in positive walks of life, treat all people equally and as they would expect to be treated themselves. This is not Charles Barkley or Jesse Jackson or anyone of those pathetic rappers that continuously degrade themselves and their heritage. These are people like Mr. Cosby, Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice, Micheal Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, local adults and community leaders, teachers, family and other "heros" to black and other children. I have watched Bill Cosby perform my entire life. I have never once thought of him as anyone but a classy, caring, intellectual and wise individual with whom I would give a lot of money to spend 10 minutes of my life. He of all people has the right to speak up, and if we were smart, we'd listen. NCO

Anonymous

It is about time that someone from the black community had the courage to tell the truth. Failing to acknowledge the problem only makes it worse! The fact is that it is the acts and omissions of the minority population that lead them to be poor, disadvanted and uneducated. Only hard work and a good education will change that!

Patricia

Sadly, much of what Bill Cosby says is true. I don't think he says it to hurt or insult the black community. I think he of all people has worked hard in his life to overcome racism and bring positive changes to the black community. The people Bill Cosby has singled out are a problem for his particular group. Seeing black people commiting crimes, communicating poorly, and having mulitple unwanted babies allows non-blacks to harbor racist feelings, which is unfair to the law-biding majority of black Americans. Only the most hateful in our society WANT to be racist, but normal people can come to harbor racist feelings if they continually see a group of people in a negative light, and that's what Bill Cosby (and I) are afraid of.

Dave