Posted on 07/01/2004 10:11:08 PM PDT by missyme
CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- Bill Cosby went off on another tirade against the black community Thursday, telling a room full of activists that black children are running around not knowing how to read or write and "going nowhere."
He also had harsh words for struggling black men, telling them: "Stop beating up your women because you can't find a job."
Cosby made headlines in May when he upbraided some poor blacks for their grammar and accused them of squandering opportunities the civil rights movement gave them.
He shot back Thursday, saying his detractors were trying in vain to hide the black community's "dirty laundry."
"Let me tell you something, your dirty laundry gets out of school at 2:30 every day, it's cursing and calling each other n------ as they're walking up and down the street," Cosby said during an appearance at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education Fund's annual conference.
"They think they're hip," the entertainer said. "They can't read; they can't write. They're laughing and giggling, and they're going nowhere."
In his remarks in May at a commemoration of the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation decision, Cosby denounced some blacks' grammar and said those who commit crimes and wind up behind bars "are not political prisoners."
"I can't even talk the way these people talk, 'Why you ain't,' 'Where you is' ... and I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk," Cosby said then. "And then I heard the father talk ... Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth."
Cosby elaborated Thursday on his previous comments in a talk interrupted several times by applause. He castigated some blacks, saying that they cannot simply blame whites for problems such as teen pregnancy and high school dropout rates.
"For me there is a time ... when we have to turn the mirror around," he said. "Because for me it is almost analgesic to talk about what the white man is doing against us. And it keeps a person frozen in their seat, it keeps you frozen in your hole you're sitting in."
Cosby lamented that the racial slurs once used by those who lynched blacks are now a favorite expression of black children. And he blamed parents.
"When you put on a record and that record is yelling 'n----- this and n----- that' and you've got your little 6-year-old, 7-year-old sitting in the back seat of the car, those children hear that," he said.
He also condemned black men who missed out on opportunities and are now angry about their lives.
"You've got to stop beating up your women because you can't find a job, because you didn't want to get an education and now you're (earning) minimum wage," Cosby said. "You should have thought more of yourself when you were in high school, when you had an opportunity."
Cosby appeared Thursday with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder and president of the education fund, who defended the entertainer's statements.
"Bill is saying let's fight the right fight, let's level the playing field," Jackson said. "Drunk people can't do that. Illiterate people can't do that."
Cosby also said many young people are failing to honor the sacrifices made by those who struggled and died during the civil rights movement.
"Dogs, water hoses that tear the bark off trees, Emmett Till," he said, naming the black youth who was tortured and murdered in Mississippi in 1955, allegedly for whistling at a white woman. "And you're going to tell me you're going to drop out of school? You're going to tell me you're going to steal from a store?"
Cosby also said he wasn't concerned that some whites took his comments and turned them "against our people."
"Let them talk," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Bill is just talking reality. Not illusion.
My God, what a racist comment! Cosby was speaking against ignorance, slackery noninitiative, lack of discipline, the lack of goals, hip-hoppish thuggery, etc., etc. CNN, I guess, considers all of these negatives as characteristic of the "black community." African-Americans should be more upset with CNN's characterization than anything Bill Cosby said.
I'd say he's telling it like it is, especially in the inner cities. So much wasted potential.
I think because many believe this hip-hop and gangsta rap is really the downfall for the Black Community...
People like Ludacris honored in Atlanta when they are a bunch of criminals the Greatest Entertainers and Musicians in the Black Community need to clean up the junk called "Rap"
Yes, I know what you're saying, but to paint the entire black community with that brush is contemptible.
Cosby is a very brave man. The "black community" has some fine role models -- including Cos -- but the lionizing of thugs which has gone on over the past 20 years is a tragedy. More power to Bill in his efforts to inject some sanity.
Yea, but what's Jesse Jackson doin up there? Has H**l frozen over or something? I never would've thought that those two would share a stage, much less defend each other, after Mr. Cosby's last outburst.
You just know Je$$e is wondering what's in it for him. Although he doesn't look really happy about being there....
What you make of JJ face? he looks like he wants to punch Cosby?
....and knowing that if he does, he will get his clock cleaned by this man.
And what is his mouth full of? Bile?
Is Cosby channeling Ray Charles now? What's with the shades?
Has he converted to Islam?
Man, dat Cosby dude be gittin' on my nerves for real. If I see him in da hood I be gonna steal off on dat boy. Know what I'm sayin'? I don't be slappin' my baby mama 'cause I can't find work. I be slappin' da b*tch cause she be a ho.
You know, I don't much care for Jesse either but in a way what he states here is right. I mean, when black people do certain things such as learn to read, get an education, stay off chemical enducements, get married before they make children, work hard and the like, they will be just as likely as whites do well financially and otherwise. In other words, the playing field becomes level... It's actually the most sober thing I've read by Jesse in years!
I'm not speaking as an African American, but living in a black neighborhood, the problem lies in that having a criminal record, a prison record is a badge of respect in certain, if not many, circles. You fought the 'Man.'
Thugs are seen as heroes.
The problem is breaking through that.
Good luck.
I remember watching Oprah and her lamenting the time she was discriminated against while shopping. I wanted to bust the TV because the richest black woman on the planet is screaming racism b/c she was followed in the store. You know she could buy that store and fire every employee in the organization. Racism is bad economic policy especially in today lawsuit crazy society.
Perhaps Bill Cosby's courage in pulling the curtain back will encourage others to do the same.
It is sorely needed and woefully late in coming.
Bill Cosby is a philanthropist, too. My little corner of Massachusetts tends toward rural poverty, and he has visited some of our poorest schools to encourage the kids to work hard in school to build a good life for themselves, and he has given money to help these schools. And our poorest schools are almost all white. He does it just to help our community, not because he wants publicity, as some philanthropists do...
Thank you, Bill Cosby!
"Let me tell you something, your dirty laundry gets out of school at 2:30 every day, it's cursing and calling each other n------ as they're walking up and down the street,"
I think that this portion of his speech is the most crucial...the black community has been fearful of going public with the problems within their community for fear of feeding the stereotype...unfortunately 10 to 20 years of neglect has ravaged a couple of generations of poor urban children...I teach in an inner city school in Brooklyn...it is positively daunting trying to undo some of the damage of parental neglect.
Bwaahaaaaaaa....too funny..
Hey, hey, hey...!
Here's my take on why Blacks are going nowhere (posted earlier on another thread).
While the White community, in my opinion, has been more than "giving" in providing programs and financial support to bring Blacks out of poverty and ignorance, unfortunately many Black leaders (and those who seek their political support) have not been willing to expect much of their constituency. Thus Black on Black crime abounds, as does Black racism (against non-Blacks) single parent households, out of wedlock children, low levels of learning, inability to work in the real world, and rampant drug abuse.
Immigration has built our country. And while we have Irish Americans, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, Native Americans, and now, the new "majority minority", Mexican Americans, they have all adapted (mostly) to the real world. They hold jobs, they earn a living, they build families, they obey the law.
But not so with Blacks. Even for those who have "risen out of the ghetto", it is OK for those who have not to make demands on the community as a whole. Thus crime rates rise, drug use abounds, contempt for the law is acceptable, "ghetto-speak" is permissible. The rest of the "minorities" see American freedom and opportunigy as more than this, but Blacks don't.
It’s almost as though while they have been freed, all they want to be is slaves. The Black who has left the ghetto accepts society’s rules, and lives by them (for they must after all earn a living, do something useful, come to work on time, not break the law, pay taxes and using "ghetto speak" at work won’t take them anywhere). But still they think it’s OK for other Blacks to not follow those rules, to remain slave-like in their approach to life. Cosby's is a lone voice.
My question is why must Mexican Americans obey the law, why must the Asian American, why the Irish American, but not the African American? Should we ignore this dichotomy and advocate such irresponsibility? Can society function with those discrepancies and inequalities? Is nothing more expected of the "freed slave" than to merely exist and take handouts? On the plantation, the master provided all the essentials of life. But even there work was required, and laws had to be obeyed (except in the "quarters" where more laxity was allowed). The "freed slave" wants the laxity of the "quarters" but none of the restraints of "life off the plantation".
Should this "freed slave" be allowed to prey on those trying to climb out of "ghetto-think"? Does compassion require us to accept, even to advocate such inequalities? Just what is "social justice" – is it no law and order for the Blacks, but law and order for the rest of us?
Until the "freed slave" is willing to accept the responsibilities of citizenship, he will remain as useless as Cosby says they are, and a drag on society. No wonder they use the "N" word to describe themselves, for that is what they have remained.
About damn time somebody said it.
This is a great thing for Bill to do. He's telling truths to/about scoundrels that the race hustler/race problem solvers are threatened by. And he's got enough gravitas that it works.
I've heard this, but sorry, I don't believe her. If it were true, why has she never mentioned the store by name or location, either on her show or in print? Doesn't she owe other blacks a favor by letting them know where this "store" is, so as to let them know not to shop there?
So Jesse Jackson is trying to ride Bill's jock now?--ROFLMBO!--now I've seen everything. . .
There would be no outcry if Bill Cosby were white and said those things! It's all about personal responsibility.
But the real highlight was the look on Jesse Jackson's face while Cosby delivered his sermon. Jackson was fuming; not surprising, because, point-by-point, Cosby destroyed Jackson and his long-standing "blame it on whitey/we need more federal programs" platform. If you watch thet tape, you'll note that Cosby was interrupted several times by cheering and applause--Jackson never clapped once during Cosby's speech.
BTW, I don't agree with everything Cosby said. If you read between the lines of his remarks, Cosby seems to imply that America is as racist today as it was 40 years ago--a point that can be easily refuted by facts. But Cosby's basic message is on target, and I applaud his courage and honesty.
One more thing: isn't it funny how few black leaders have come forward in support of Bill Cosby? Sadly, the lack of support for Cosby is hardly surprising; with the Democratic National Convention is just a few weeks off, it's not hardly an opportune time to wander off the party plantation, and say things that may jeopardize your political future....
My sister's friend just dropped out of their medical school because of the students being jealous and discriminating.
A picture is worth a thousand words in this case *LOL*
This is not just a "black" problem. Kids of all races try to take the easy way out by slipping into street behavior.
I was surfin' the cable channels and ran across "The Flip Wilson Show". He and Bill Cosby were successful black entertainers who "broke the color line" and moved our society to a more homogenious culture. Now they've been superceded by the black angst of the ghetto where their example is ignored. Dr. Cosby has a right to question the ludicrous lamentors!
I myself do not understand the people. Bill Cosby is speaking the truth. But America does not want to see the truth, white or black. White America does not much give a damn about black America. Unless black america somehow aids white america, such as in presidential elections, white america don't give a damn. and maybe racism does not surface as it did 40 years ago, but i do believe racism still exists in people much as it did 40 years ago. But because of the new era and new laws and the new "way" of society, racism is kept in secret rather than spoken out loud; however, it still exists. But the hypocrites of america would not let you know such, at least not straight up. But they damm sure will talk behind your back. or they won't hire you or treat you the same as their own. i believe white america, the majority, would never look at black people as equal as their own because there is always the subconscious mind that overpowers your natural thinking. im saying this because i believe black america is where black america is partially because of white america. and if white america did give a damn, i believe black america would be on a higher level and maybe the projects of america would help black people rather than trap them.
I said partially because black america has become ignorant and selfish in their own communities. "leaders" such as these rap artists ain't doing a damn thing to help out their people. i believe black america has forgotten how to be a people. now, they just focus on being "black." But this "black" isn't what african americans are about at all. the "oh im ghetto and i like it n****" makes no damn sense to me. rappers have made it so being ghetto and being thug is a good and positive thing when it is not. black kids all over america try to act "black" because they are black. but the thing is, being black has nothing to do with being ghetto. but the music industry has brainwashed america into thinking that if ur ghetto, u either are black or ur acting black. and the white man always has associated bad things with acting black. and now the black man is "acting black" and he's proud of it. but he aint got a damn thing to be proud of because he's an ignorant fool. now in america, acting black and acting ghetto mean the same damn thing. I believe black america needs to have leaders such as bill cosby who speak the truth. Jesse jackson ain't no damn leader. he's nothing but a hypocrite thats in for the publicity. if there was somebody to be called a n*****, it sure damn be him. martin luther king jr., malcolm X, marcuy garvey, thurgood marshall, fredrick douglas. these were good and postive black man that all has one goal in common. that was to help their people. but today, the black community has no leaders. besides bill cosby i dont see any other black leader doing anything to help his or her people. And without leaders, the igorant and selfish crowds will follow the ignorant and selfish so-called "leaders" which i believe will bring them to an eventual doom. and i believe if something or someone does not do something soon, the black community will find themselves in a major struggle and downfall.
the black community needs leadership, unity, perservence, and hope. i believe many have lost hope. but never lose hope. none of america's great black leaders lost hope and their contribution will be remembered forever. and i appreciate the bold and powerful Bill Cosby for speaking the truth and nothing but the truth. you can't blame others for your mistakes. and even if obstacles stand, which they mostly do, they can always be overtaken with the strength and power of the soul and mind.
Be easy. Be real. and always keep hope alive
This white boy listens to Larry Elder on radio 790 in Los Angeles area.
Larry used to be libertarian. Now calls himself republitarian.
I think we once had awful racism towards blacks, in America. Like you say, laws have changed some of that.
I have a social theory that people find comfort with others, similar to themselves. Just like blacks find comfort with other blacks, some non-blacks are uncomfortable around black people (or hispanics, or asians, etc.).
I think there is some human nature along those lines. I think it is instinctive behavior, like animals. And I do not find a reason to classify it Bad on that level. I'll classify it as normal.
Check into college dorms. The various racial groups hang together. School lunch groupings.
Cosby is a man with success and self-assurance. I believe he is a political liberal.
And I respect him, for taking the risk of saying things which are true, even if not popular.
Finally and most of all, I see the black people that I meet as individuals. Some more like me, and some are less like me. If he wants to act like a thug from the bad neighborhood, I have little time or respect for him.
If he wants to spend the time, finding how we can get our business done, enjoy a time on earth. Thats cool.
But I dig jazz, r & b, reggae, and dislike rap. Probably too much a creature of the 60s, perhaps a little older and wiser.
BTTT
Nice post, Mr. J. I remember vividly the four-line sentence Cosby delivered on his way up the stairs to his brownstone for his son's wake: "He was my hero."
The families of the people concerned jeopordizes their future, not society or anyone other individuals. Students need to come to school (PREPARED TO SIT, LISTEN, STUDY, LEARN AND DO HOME WORK). I think in places where there is trouble, that is the cause of it.
Society will value you at your worth. If you are worth a wage, you will find an employer who will pay it if you look.
If you did not prepare for life, your wages are not going to be high, your access to the better things in life will be lower and it would be their own fault.
Some communities make fun of success, some even practically make up their own language within the culture. In my opinion, that only further segregates themselves from the only ONE society that exists that is operational.
PS, there are many people who ARE NOT BLACK that suffer the same problems in thier communities and equally suffer, this is not a black only issue in any way.
Imagine the jerks you'd see on Springer having kids and raising them. Would it really surprise you that they could ruin their kids like a curse?
This permeates a lot of other colleges and most high schools in America. Too bad it has even affected Howard.
Warrior,
You are the role model that the kids really need to see. I wish you luck, man. The Dems are determined to maintain the stereotypical belief that no matter how hard you strive to break out of that environment, you will be doomed to failure.
exacly..Jackson is a whore..After a certain amount of cameras , he's there.regardless of whats being said..I was once introduced to him and I refused to shke his hand..WOWOW what a look he gave me . Cosby is expressing some harsh realities and is being sincere in trying to help his community. Jackson is a rich snob out for himself ..always was
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