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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It's about time, that one of our affluent and well thought of African-American stars has brought this problem to light. I have my own business and you get tired of young African-Americans coming thinking that they should have the world handed to them. I had to work for everything I had and my parents made sure that my education was the most important thing. We were not rich, but if they could not help me, the found someone or something that could. It means going to the library and picking up a book, asking questions, always looking for knowledge. We can no longer sit around and expect everything to be handed to us; many of our relatives were beaten, killed and jailed to get the opportunities that we have today. It is OUR responsibility to take advantage of them, because they may not be here tomorrow. I too grew up in Richard Allen projects and it was 100 times worse when I left than when Mr. Cosby left, If you are upset with him, then maybe it's YOU & YOUR CHILD that he is talking about. Instead of fighting him and being upset with him; maybe just maybe you can direct that anger to where it belongs and get our children where they need to be educationally so that they can be successful also.

Juanita

I absolutely think Cosby is right--and I also am not surprised about the response he is getting. I know from my own experience that sometimes a bitter pill of reality is appropriate medicine and often the only way to get someone to take action. The African-American community would do well to listen to Cosby with open hearts and minds; he is only saying what no one else has the courage to say aloud.

Marielle

I think Bill Cosby has consistently demonstrated that he is a powerful and undeniable advocate of black people by his actions, words and where he puts his money. He is saying what cannot be denied. Whining about it just sounds like my teenager - life isn't fair!!! It doesn't change the reality.

Jane

A generation ago Daniel Patrick Moynihan made a similar comment about Irish-Americans.....in particular the number of single mothers on welfare raising children that had been abandoned by their irresponsible fathers. He noted the social implications for the Irish-American community. For his comments he was recognized as a prescient scholar.

James

Sometimes the hardest things to hear in life in the truth. Bill Cosby spoke the truth and the blacks that speak that way are reacting because they know he hit it right on the mark. Blacks in America are ruining all the opportunities that the generations before them fought so hard to obtain. Being at the head of the list is education. Let's have no more excuses.

Jean

I would like to tell Bill’s critics to take a walk through Downtown Crossing in Boston during school hours or Dudley Station on any given day or time and then have them render another opinion.

Hey

Bill stands up and says it's time for some of the black community to seek self-improvement, and the black community slams him. Obviously then, there are members of the black community who don't want to improve - in any way, shape or form (surely not?!). For them, ignorance is bliss. The same is true of members of the white and hispanic and any other community. Bill didn't do anything wrong here, he just pointed out the obvious - perhaps in the hope that one of those ignorant parents might just figure out what's happening and actually do something to make the life of their children a little richer and more meaningful. I hear his message loud and clear - make an effort and make a difference. You get what you give.

Pete

I couldn't have said it any better, and am disappointed with the NAACP and those who rather not admit the fact. The main source of fronting and encouraging the garbage, BET network should be boycott by African American, ban by FCC. Stop blamng and start taking responsibility. Those who are against his remarks should encourage parents to send their kids to school to learn and take advantage of Harvard's free tuition for low-income kids. Now, that's being classist and elistist!

Georgia

The truth hurts. Go to school, become something, and stop blaming other people for the situation YOU put yourself in. ----- Forwarüâ· à O

Rick

It's a shame a credible individual like Bill Cosby didn't say this much sooner. We're all so worried about walking on eggshells not to offend anyone that we've allowed the english language to be ruined. Learn how to speak with some dignity instead of acting out the thug life.

Mike