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Debate Continues as Cosby Again Criticizes Black Youths
The Washington Post ^ | July 3, 2004 | Hamil R. Harris and Paul Farhi

Posted on 07/03/2004 12:10:55 AM PDT by neverdem

As Dr. Cliff Huxtable, TV's quintessential sitcom dad, Bill Cosby offered gentle, homespun advice to his young family each week. But in real life, Cosby lately has been delivering a much harsher message: African Americans, particularly the young, have only themselves to blame for a variety of social ills.

For the second time in six weeks, Cosby attracted wide media attention with public criticism of black youngsters. Cosby was cheered on Thursday when he told a group of black activists in Chicago that young African Americans are the "dirty laundry" that many would prefer he not criticize despite their poor grammar, foul language and rude manners.

"Let me tell you something," Cosby, one of America's most admired men, told the group. "Your dirty laundry gets out of school at 2:30 every day, it's cursing and calling each other [the N-word] as they're walking up and down the street. They think they're hip. They can't read. They can't write. They're laughing and giggling, and they're going nowhere."

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: billcosby; blackyouths

1 posted on 07/03/2004 12:10:56 AM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Its called common sense. Why is that considered controversial? Decent behavior should be a standard expected from every one in our society.


2 posted on 07/03/2004 12:13:09 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: neverdem

Cosby's right. Everybody knows it. it's just the liberal media trying to make this "controversial."


3 posted on 07/03/2004 12:20:14 AM PDT by JennysCool ("I'm not worried about the deficit. It's big enough to take care of itself." - RWR)
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I miss fat albert!


4 posted on 07/03/2004 12:31:16 AM PDT by meanie monster
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To: neverdem

I'm glad some black eyes have been opened.


5 posted on 07/03/2004 12:46:24 AM PDT by garylmoore (Looking forward to the day when I can chat with Him.)
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To: goldstategop

The truth shall set you free!He stated the facts.


6 posted on 07/03/2004 1:04:41 AM PDT by patriciamary
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To: All

Anyone who doesn't want to register with WaPo should try BugMeNot.com


7 posted on 07/03/2004 2:09:35 AM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: neverdem
Cosbey is not criticizing black youth. Cosbey is pointing out that if you raise a child and set standards by the lowest cultural common denominator, you are setting him up for failure throughout their life. I thought it was a speech made out of love for his people and the black community.

Knowing enough blacks, I am confident that when the majority of that community embrace this message, this nation will be a far better place, much to the chagrin of the Democrats, who have done as much as they can to keep them down and dependent.

8 posted on 07/03/2004 3:42:41 AM PDT by Caipirabob (Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)
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To: neverdem

Cosby is saying what the rest of us cannot. One of the things I loved were the pictures of the Revrum Jackson while Cosby was saying this. Jackson looked like his colon was about to fall out. And, when Cos was done, Jackson had no choice but to support him.


9 posted on 07/03/2004 4:52:02 AM PDT by DustyMoment (Repeal CFR NOW!!)
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To: DustyMoment

Had some cracker from Georgia said this stuff, they would have a hood over his head and accuse him of burniing crosses. But the fact remains that Cosby is giving the plain old truth.


10 posted on 07/03/2004 4:59:24 AM PDT by chris1 ("Make the other guy die for his country" - Gen. George S. Patton)
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To: neverdem
Debate Continues as Cosby Again Criticizes Black Youths Parents
11 posted on 07/03/2004 5:01:09 AM PDT by auboy
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To: Caipirabob

I don't why people are reacting as if this is the first time someone in the black community talked about this. One of my good friends is a black Christian and I've been to his church several times. The preachers go on about these problems all the time. In fact, I think Cosby was preaching to the choir.


12 posted on 07/03/2004 5:07:07 AM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: neverdem
The headline refers to a debate, as in "Debate Continues..."

What's the debate? The article does not mention any points of controversy, or even disagreement.

Why doesn't the article present the POV of the other side of the debate-those who think that black children are doing well in school, those who say that there are many districts where black students not only equal but exceed their white peers, experts who say black neighborhoods are islands of safety and security from rampant white-on-white crime?

Where's the debate that the headline refers to?

13 posted on 07/03/2004 5:10:55 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Now you go feed those hogs before they worry themselves into anemia!)
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To: chris1

The southern cracker stereotype is not necessary, ANY white person who speaks the truth would automatically be called a racist, bigotted KKK member.


14 posted on 07/03/2004 5:34:14 AM PDT by HadEnough
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To: neverdem
Cosby may be oversimplifying a problem that defies easy solution, said Mario Beatty, a history professor at Bowie State University. "We have to confront these social problems, but the solution is not as simple as having someone change their behavior," he said. ". . . One has to clearly understand the causes of the problem."

But that might be a good start. Typical liberal professor....it's not their fault, it's because of society! Hogwash!

15 posted on 07/03/2004 6:31:59 AM PDT by 2nd amendment mama (Can The Ban - let the AWB sunset • www.2asisters.org • www.cantheban.net)
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To: miss marmelstein

The people in the audience may have agreed with Dr. Cosby, but this is the first time the lame-stream media has picked up on it. Bill Cosby is a very smart man...he knows exactly how to get the message out; church isn't it 'cause the media doesn't go there. ;)


16 posted on 07/03/2004 6:38:17 AM PDT by madison10
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To: neverdem

Bugmenot.com worked like a charm! Thanks for that tip.


17 posted on 07/03/2004 6:45:39 AM PDT by ovrtaxt (Don't worry -- moderate Islam will save us!)
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To: madison10

You're absolutely right! I hadn't thought about it from that angle. Happy 4th!


18 posted on 07/03/2004 1:13:48 PM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: miss marmelstein
In fact, I think Cosby was preaching to the choir.

I have no reason to doubt what you wrote is true. The problem for most folks is that he's doing the dirty laundry in public.

19 posted on 07/03/2004 1:39:05 PM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: Jim Noble
Where's the debate that the headline refers to?

I believe debate was a poor choice of words. How about astonishment for not being politically correct and saying the obvious in public?

20 posted on 07/03/2004 1:45:03 PM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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