Bill Cosby's comments on Black America.

[I.R Joey]

I wasn't sure if I should start this topic or not as it's a rather sensative subject, but I finally decided that I think people on this board are mature enough.

Anyway, has anyone been paying attention to the stuff Bill Cosby has been talking about over the last few months? Just this week he said something else about the bad example that's being set before the eyes of black children by their parents. Before that he went on a tangent talking about the attitude of black young people, about how they dress and the language they use. Some accused him of painting with to wide of a brush, and others in the black community found him to be right on target.

I found his remarks rather interesting personally, being African American myself. I agreed with some of what he had to say, but for some reason he still came off as being kind of cranky.

Anyone else have any opinions?

P.S Please prove me right about your civility.

[JohnCrichton]

He's right, but no one'll listen. He'll just come off as, "Ya dern kids! Get off my laaaaawwwn! And pull up your pants for chrissakes!!!"

Black culture definately is in need of change and growth and I do see it happening in small doses.

Still, thing is black people have only been treated as equals in society for only about.... what, 40 years? Not to mention having 400 years of that slavery thing.

I say that if black people completely rise up, grow up and "turn it around" in less than 200 years, that's a pretty good accomplishment.

As much as I'd like to, you can't expect the population of a culture to "just change" in the span of just one or two generations. It'll happen, it's happening, but it's going to take a good long while before it spread throughout the growing population and culture.

[sun]

I wasn't sure if I should start this topic or not as it's a rather sensative subject, but I finally decided that I think people on this board are mature enough.

Anyway, has anyone been paying attention to the stuff Bill Cosby has been talking about over the last few months? Just this week he said something else about the bad example that's being set before the eyes of black children by their parents. Before that he went on a tangent talking about the attitude of black young people, about how they dress and the language they use. Some accused him of painting with to wide of a brush, and others in the black community found him to be right on target.

I found his remarks rather interesting personally, being African American myself. I agreed with some of what he had to say, but for some reason he still came off as being kind of cranky.

Anyone else have any opinions?

P.S Please prove me right about your civility.I honestly believe what Cosby said can hold true to a lot of other groups in the U.S.A. not just in the black community..Parenting is the toughest job in the world, and so many, of all races, and backgrounds are leaving parenting to the TV set..Time and love is so important in parenting...I think this is what Cosby was really trying to say..My view is different than most, I saw parents come to school, and ask me as their kid's teacher to have a short talk with their kid, and set them straight,,As a teacher, I tried, of course, but I knew it was almost hopeless, the parent was telling me that his high school kid, was out of control, and I should try to control him/her and get them back in line...Sure...I might add I did see all kinds of races and backgrounds at one school I taught at for 13 and one half years. More than 50 languages were spoken by the students at that school Some of the kids, well you knew they had wonderful parents, who had set rules, and given love and time, and when they came up on parent- teacher day, well, they were wonderful. Some students you had an intuition that something was wrong at home..Often that was true,and you felt it and heard it in the conference. I taught at 3 schools for 27 and half years. Most of the parents did care, and tried, but it sure isn't easy raising a kid..Sadly, I am divorced, and we never had children, so I can only view from a high school teacher, who is currently retired. Stuart

[JohnCrichton]

Well said.

It is with all races, but us self conscious black folk often only see the problem with our own as that's what we're exposed to the most first hand aaaaannnd can't help but see the negative portrayal of us in the media.
Makes us go, "Stop making us look back to the world!" not seeing the rest of the world has some incredible and similar, if not the same, issues.

Too many kids are having kids lately and just don't recognize the enormous responsiblity on them. I've family like this, and as much as they struggle to rectify their mistakes and do their best... it's incredibly hard for them for lack of money, education and the desire to do right. Depression sets in and then the children end up paying the price.

Like I said, more and more there seems to be a light turning on, but it'll take many, many, many decades for any repairs to actually start showing through.

[Master Moron]

You know, as a white person I don't feel that I have any experience regarding black youth of America, so I really don't feel justified to have an opinion on the matter. But, I do have an observation, and perhaps a question. I've noticed when watching TV that black families are always portrayed as extremely strict, in general families on TV seem to be stricter than they are in reality, but I've noticed that black families on TV, the Cosby Show included seems to be much stricter than most families I know. I always thought that more rules led to more rebellion. When I was a kid, I remember that whenever my parents set down a rule I was determined to break it. So, I find it strange that Cosby is encouraging parents to set down more rules. But, then again, I have to wonder how Bill Cosby can even relate to under privileged black people. I mean, isn't Cosby rich?

I'm just wondering if sitcoms portray anything close to reality. Are most black families really as strict as they're portrayed on TV?

[sun]

You know, as a white person I don't feel that I have any experience regarding black youth of America, so I really don't feel justified to have an opinion on the matter. But, I do have an observation, and perhaps a question. I've noticed when watching TV that black families are always portrayed as extremely strict, in general families on TV seem to be stricter than they are in reality, but I've noticed that black families on TV, the Cosby Show included seems to be much stricter than most families I know. I always thought that more rules led to more rebellion. When I was a kid, I remember that whenever my parents set down a rule I was determined to break it. So, I find it strange that Cosby is encouraging parents to set down more rules. But, then again, I have to wonder how Bill Cosby can even relate to under privileged black people. I mean, isn't Cosby rich?

I'm just wondering if sitcoms portray anything close to reality. Are most black families really as strict as they're portrayed on TV?Well guess what, TV is wrong, African American parents tried just as hard as some of the white parents that I had in the other school,(I taught in two Afro American high schools, and I had Kids from Asia, and South America, Iraq, China,, Iran, Russia, you name it, I seen it.One kid was from Afganastan, .Some parents were great, some were not..I go back, it is the toughest job in the world, If you ever have a kid, that kid is your kid, give him/her as much time, love, and energy as you can. Do your very best..Usually that kid will be ok, sometimes, even with the best of efforts, parents fail, and it is not their fault in my opinion--Best wishes to all Stuart

[I.R Joey]

You know, as a white person I don't feel that I have any experience regarding black youth of America, so I really don't feel justified to have an opinion on the matter. But, I do have an observation, and perhaps a question. I've noticed when watching TV that black families are always portrayed as extremely strict, in general families on TV seem to be stricter than they are in reality, but I've noticed that black families on TV, the Cosby Show included seems to be much stricter than most families I know. I always thought that more rules led to more rebellion. When I was a kid, I remember that whenever my parents set down a rule I was determined to break it. So, I find it strange that Cosby is encouraging parents to set down more rules. But, then again, I have to wonder how Bill Cosby can even relate to under privileged black people. I mean, isn't Cosby rich?

I'm just wondering if sitcoms portray anything close to reality. Are most black families really as strict as they're portrayed on TV?
I think alot of this comes from a form of reverse discrimination. I think some studios are so scarred of presenting negative sterotypes that they go full steam in the opposite direction. Presenting black families as overly strict.

To add another wrinkle to the discussion, do any of you think that by saying these things Cosby is simply adding more fuel to the negative stereotypes some people already have about black people. I'm saying that is it possible that some racist groups might be having a kind of "Ah ha, he admits it" reaction?

[JohnCrichton]

Nah. Racist groups are going to do what they're going to do. Bill Cosby may get through to a few, make other angry, but change and growth'll ultimately happen as it will.

[EinBebop]

I'm saying that is it possible that some racist groups might be having a kind of "Ah ha, he admits it" reaction?It's not like you're going to change their mind anyway, so to hell with what they think. ;)

[I.R Joey]

Yes racist groups will always find a reason to hold their views, but what I'm asking is are Cosby's remarks fueling these views? Is he be saying these things giving more amuniton to racist groups instead of taking it away from them.

[SSJPabs]

It's not like you're going to change their mind anyway, so to hell with what they think. ;)Or some political parties.

Anyhow, I think its best when Bill Cosby says it because he's done so much work that people will be more apt to listen to what he says. The NPR discussion about it (featuring Cornell West!) was very interseting to listen to. I mean it takes both sides of the coin, social and economic, working to end discrimination, and personal responsibility (to use the buzzword) factors combined will get better results than either approach alone.

[EinBebop]

Or some political parties.You got it. Stick to your guns, I say. :D

[guinaevere]

I have great respect for what Cosby did and what he's said. It takes a lot of gumption (wow. I love using that word!) to speak out in such a manner that may ostracize you from a large portion of ones own culture.

I found his remarks rather interesting personally, being African American myself. I agreed with some of what he had to say, but for some reason he still came off as being kind of cranky.It isn't often that a person will come up and confront/convict you (not you personally, Joey) and come across as happy and lovable.

Parenting is the toughest job in the world, and so many, of all races, and backgrounds are leaving parenting to the TV set..And preschool where kids learn that by screaming loudly and throwing a fit, they get their way. :shrug: But I digress.

Or some political parties.Wow. An entire political party that's closed-minded? Sign me up. :p ;)

[Kuja's Light]

To me, racism will never die. It's impossible, as you know how human nature is. Sure, there are those that can control it, but not nearly everyone can. It's a mixed bag I suppose.

Anyway, I didn't see what he said, but I can agree with all comments made here. I will let you all know now, I am agaisnt racism. Oh, and one thing I want to mention to that is, I hate it when people let those kind of jokes get to them. I know it's a joke, because it's intended to be, I won't lie, I laugh at jokes about white people and I'm white. Etc,.

Anyway...Sorry if that was offtopic, I just wanted to get that off of my chest.

As we all should know on here, the media isn't he best place either to see the true face of America, all of the time. TV shows, being scripted usually, are based on that and nothing more. That can't be added to conversation much, in regards to that.

It also can sicken me sometimes the way the youth of America can be. I can believe it, but i don't agree with it. I suppose that's al lfrom me for now.

[Emmanuel Cruz]

Wow, I've been waiting for a topic like this to pop up.


I agree with a lot of what Cosby had to say. I happen to live in a fairly big city, and the problem that plagues this city of mine and other urban areas is the lack of education and respect that people have (and as much as people deny it, it's very commonly the blacks and Hispanics.) I hate living in my city and going to my school, because all I see are the ill-educated vermin that roam around my city. The kids that curse worse than a sailor, dress like idiots, show no respect towards others, etc. And a big majority of them are the ones that glorify the hip-hop culture. (I call these people "hoodlums.") But when I speak my views about it in a rational way, I'm made out as a bigot. I'm Hispanic myself, but it sickens how much society has crumbled around me, because the hoodlums have taken over. And when the Hispanics and blacks complain about them being stereotyped wrongly, I feel that they put that on themselves. I'm not saying that all are bad, but in urban areas, most Hispanics and blacks are vulgar people. Another thing that bugs me is that many people are surprise by my personality and general well-being. I happen to live in the worst section of my city and I'm a Hispanic, and because of that, and they expect me to act as a hoodlum. Some people suspect that I come from the best section of town because of the way I carry myself. they constantly tell me that I act "white" which is a ridiculous way to describe someone, just like someone who acts "black." Those descriptions are silly. Despite where I live, my mother and father always taught me the proper thing to do, and to act as a gentleman, and I didn't play outside my front porch a lot or I was called inside to my house early. I would complain that I wouldn't have fun or that my parents were babying me. But as I look back now, I am happy with everything my parents taught me. Even though I live in a crappy neighborhood, I turned out as a good student, a gentleman, and a law-abiding citizen. All because my parents CARED. I see a lot of kids my age in my neighborhood that I used to went to school with. They are lousy students, smoke, drink, use drugs, have no respect towards adults, and they have even been arrested. I had a pal of mine from my childhood who I just found out he was busted for drug possession. And he's younger than me. In some ways, I am the anti-stereotype of a urban Hispanic teenage male.

I despise rap music, I've always been a geek, I've always been respectful to others, and I stay away from the wrong people, but what matters most to me is that my parents cared for how I would turn out, despite my surroundings. And I thank my parents for those wonderful gifts of love, devotion, and care that they gave to me.

-Emmanuel:bosko:

[SSJPabs]

You got it. Stick to your guns, I say. :D...And!

Wow. An entire political party that's closed-minded? Sign me up. :p ;)You know of course, I was thinking about the Constitution Party (http://www.constitutionparty.com/)! ;)

On a more serious note, I know of parents who really do care, of kids who have really tried, who work their asses off and they're just running in place, treading water. So I really believe it takes all kinds.

[ZorBrak]

I think he said what needed to be said. In this society if you were of white complexion and said it however, you'd be crucified. I applaud Mr. Cosby.