I am thrilled to see Cosby take this stand. Whereas the comments do apply in a colorblind sense, the black community has been particularly decimated by pop culture and the devaluing of education. It has also been victimized by race hustlers who feed off the feelings of victimhood. The more black leaders who speak out about education and individual responsibility, the better.

I love it.

I'm sick of white people acting like "white people." Of being the stereotype. I understand what he's saying. It's ruining an entire culture. Black History now involves more rappers and sports stars then doctors, inventers, and blacks that have really made a difference. It makes no sense. During Black History Month people throw parties to remember Tu-Pac. Martin Luthar King takes second place to a dead rapper. . .

I'm gonna stop ranting now.

This is a message the black community needed to hear from a respected black person. As true as it is, it wouldn't have been very well received coming from a white person.

Well true it applies to any cultural group some groups need to hear it more. It isn't a black/white thing, but a cultural thing. We all need to push for a culture of education and self worth.

Agreed. My point is, if you blame a certain group for your problems, you're not likely to want to listen to someone from that group when they tell you you're wrong.

With out a doubt. Mr. Cosby is a great person to be taking this plea to people.

Personal responsibility is the message. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the inner city black youth even know who Bill Cosby is, much less listen to his message. On the other hand, gangsta rappers are heroes.

Right message, wrong messenger.

What Cosby can accomplish is to influence other black leaders to carry on with his message. Jesse Jackson was sitting next to him during his recent statement. Jesse is a conman, AFAIC, but it wouldn't hurt to have him preaching responsibility instead of victimhood.

I can't truely speak to that, but I would think the opposite. I truely don't know so I should probably shut up. :)

This is a message that everyone needs to hear. Black,white, whatever. Our whole society is going down the shitter because everyone's the victim now. Nothing is sacred. I'm not sure how this problem can be fixed, but I think Bill's got a really good point. The buck stops here. No one takes responsibility for their actions anymore and it's fragmenting our communities.

I've got nothing but respect for Mr. Cosby so I think it kicks serious ass that he's said this. And that he's backing up what he said.

I don't know much about Mr. Cosby or have seen any of his work, but people always tell me that he's smart. Now I see why....

Check out some of his stand up. Well worth it.

You mean you never watched Fat Albert?

The Cosby show?

Jello pudding commercials?

Mmmmm, pudding pops.

The only thing that sets this apart from what Chris Rock said in 1999 in his Bigger and Blacker show is that Bill Cosby has a PhD. in Education. Other than that, Chris Rock was saying the same damned things 5 years ago--and people laughed. Gives a new thought to the "Consider the Source" statement.

Rat: If you're talking about the "I love black people, but I hate..." bit, I think the key difference is that Chris Rock was a comedian speaking in the context of comedy, trying to incite people to laugh. Bill Cosby happens to be a comedian, but was saying what Chris Rock said in the context of cultural insipiration. The fact that Cosby has a PhD does help, but Chris Rock could have set a straight face, said the same thing and gotten at least a somewhat similar reaction of making people stop and think.

Interesting statements he's made.
Hopefully people take it to heart, and make a concerted effort to better themselves and their situations.

Time will tell.

I have great hope that someday, humanity will pull it's head out of it's ass, and figure out that we are in trouble and need an adjustment.

It starts with each one of us. Hopefully we all catch on soon.

Being a black man myself, I completely agree with Dr. Cosby. I'm not too sure anymore if some people in the black community are just content with bitching and complaining for the rest of their lives without standing up and making something happen for themselves. I myself have never expected anybody to give me anything and knowing this, I knew that I would have to work my ass off to get to where I wanted to be.

I may get flamed for saying this, but in my 27 years on the planet, I have done a lot of growing up recently and I have come to realize that rap music is damaging to our community. Like TOK said, having parties to remember Tu-Pac instead of remembering Dr. King during black history month!?! I'm sorry, but that is just plain fucking pathetic. Until we stop idolizing the rap stars that make it seem "hip" to be poor and live in the projects in the ghetto, and the younger generation begins to realize that it's their responsibility to make something of themselves, the black community will be going nowhere.

On the issue of worshipping rappers, I think this country is following a sad trend of worshipping entertainers. Entertainers may work from what they have experienced and felt but they are just that- entertainers.

Agreed. And I never understood those magazine articles like People's "100 sexiest people." WTF!?! Like the entire population of sexy people in the world all live and work in Hollywood. I could give a rat's ass who wore what to (insert celebrity ass kissing event here) event this week.

I'm done ranting now.

No, no and no....I didn't think it was funny, since it's from the 70s and 80s..I was young and dumb..now I know better...:

Cosby Does More Than His Share
 

Mr. Cosby has been busy. He's been discussed in two previous threads...

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...threadid=56220

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...threadid=61162

I think it's great that he's trying very hard to be a positive role model and influence. A shame that it's like a small drop of freshwater in the oceans, but it's at least a start.

link

It's great that he's putting his money where his mouth is.

You gotta admire Bill Cosby.:D

This is one of those men that truly are a role model.

Bill Cosby is the greatest black man to come along since MLK Jr.

I just went to the NPR website and there's a good link of him talking about his comments...

clickon on the link:

Talk of the Nation audio
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=3194001

Lightning strikes two guys, in a good way
 

Link

I saw this in The Republican, my local paper, today, and thought it was impressive. The story is local, so it doesn't have an "AP" line here, but it does on CNN.com. I guess they agree that it's impressive.

Anyway, it looks like Mr. Cosby puts his money where his mouth is, not that that was in question.

I think that is great some people still get it

It's nice to see Cosby is finally rebuilding his reputation. It's also nice to see good things happen to good people.

ditto to all of the comments above.

What do you mean, bermuDa? Rebuilding his rep? What happened to it?

i have a lot of respect for bill cosby.

I'm starting to think that you may be right. I like his style of not sugar-coating anything, and trying to make a difference.

Indeed, he just plainly says it and he's doing something helpful to boot, hopefully he'll serve as an example and others will follow in suit.

Bill Cosby is definitely a true black leader and should be a hero of everyone.

I think this is great, & while he is talking about black people I think it applies to everyone. The youth of America is pathetic. We have a lot of work to do. We need to put more money and thought into our childrens education, and when i say "our" i mean all children. You will have to live with them in the same community. so wouldnt you like to see them grow up to be productive members? People need to work together.... bleh b4 i get off on a rant ill just say what i came here to say....

Im glad to see that someone is taking a stand who actually has the power and respect from others to get something done.

Kudos Bill Cosby

COSBY FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!

That I could get behind.

You know, I won't be quick to throw around my support, but that's pretty intriguing to think about. Won't happen - and that's probably a good thing at this point - but he is a very educated person and I respect a lot of his thoughts on many subjects.

I don't know that he has what it takes to be president though, but I could certainly see him in state or even national senate.

I expect he's too smart to want to run. I think we should draft him.