Cosby's on right track, sticking to his guns

newsday.com ^ | November 16, 2004 | Sheryl McCarthy

[paudio]

'Let them stay mad," Bill Cosby told CNN's Paula Zahn last week.

He was speaking of the flak he's catching from African-Americans since he criticized the behavior of some low-income blacks last spring during a commemoration of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. He angered some black folks, who thought his remarks were insensitive and inflammatory, and that he resorted to ugly racial stereotypes.

But Cosby has no plans to shut up. "This is about little children and people not giving them better choices," the 67 year-old actor-comedian told Zahn. "How long you gonna whisper about a smallpox epidemic in your apartment building when bodies are coming out under the sheets?"

[paudio]

The more people realize that they're responsible for their own lives, the more people will be attracted to the Republican party...

[Haro_546]

Is cosby a conservative?

[BunnySlippers]

The more people realize that they're responsible for their own lives, the more people will be attracted to the Republican party...

A simple concept. But so true.

[paudio]

Is cosby a conservative?

I don't think so. At one occassion, he claimed that he's a liberal democrat who's tired of the way black parents behaved...

[Haro_546]

maybe he is a neocon

[dasboot]

lol

[BigSkyFreeper]

No he's not Conservative, he's more of an old-line Democrat. His "preachings" through comedy haven't changed in 40 years.

[BigSkyFreeper]

He's not a neocon either. He just appears to be Republican/Conservative in this day and age not because he hasn't changed over time, but because the Democrat party has changed over time.

[Haro_546]

a Reagan Democrat.?

[BigSkyFreeper]

a Reagan Democrat.?

Reagan was a Democrat at one time, an FDR Democrat.

[Nick Danger]

I think he'd make an interesting Secretary of Education. I think the job is available, and he is certainly qualified.

[gop_gene]

I still remember that appearance Cosby made with Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow Coalition, it was priceless, his reaction and demeanor!--Jesse looked totally stunned and befuddled, like he wanted to shut Cosby up quick and get him out of there, but of course for decorum's sake he had to let Cosby say what he planned to.

[Pete'sWife]

How does one go about contacting Mr. Cosby just to say "I agree with you and I'd like to help"?

[5050 no line]

He speaks a lot of sense to me, and I 'm a furriner.

I only wish we had someone like that here in the UK who would speak plainly.

'Racist' is the absolutely the second word that minorities reach for in any discussion that demands that they first look at themselves to see if a problem lies within their community, their culture or their outlook on our society.

[cajungirl]

I liked his saying the complaints of rascism were the default position. Cosby is so on track, he is saying what needs to be said and taking that message around is far better than being Sec of Education. He would be less effective in a govt position than he is as a town crier.

[solsrchr2]

I admire the stand Mr. Cosby has taken. If only more African American Celebrities were to add their voices to his.

[Falcon4.0]

Right. The longer you wait for someone else to solve your problems, the longer you will be disappointed.

[mtbopfuyn]

Shape up and get yourselves together, or else stop complaining.

Hear, hear! The days of discrimination are long gone but extra perk$ are given to blacks simply because of their skin color. It's not PC to have a Honky College Fund, or a National Association for the Advancement of White Trash, much less a Caucasian Caucus. Just a couple months ago Sheila "Don't You Know Who I Am" Jackson-Lee (TX Rat) was whining about A&M discriminating against admiting blacks but failed to acknowlege Prairie View A&M within (or within a couple miles of) her district, a black university founded in 1862. That's no typo - 1862.

[TNCMAXQ]

Won't CNN be accused of racism for using the word guns when referring to a black man?! ;-)

[libertylover]

"Is cosby a conservative?"
"I don't think so. At one occassion, he claimed that he's a liberal democrat who's tired of the way black parents behaved..."

He's definitely not a conservative but in Cosby's youth black parents didn't behave the way they do now.

Some problems with black culture as I see it:

1) Parents don't encourage education to the extent that white's do, and Lord knows, white's could use improvement in this area as well.

2) Instead of trying to integrate, many blacks try to stand out. Many dress such that they stand apart from the mainstream, wear their hair in wierd ways, speak their own dialect to the point they no longer CAN speak standard English, speak/laugh overly loud at restaurants daring anyone to say something, intentionally obstruct traffic in parking lots on purpose by walking very sloooooowly (I'm cool.), etc., then complain about not being treated as equals.

[jocon307]

From the article: "Among his targets...Black criminals who prey on others, but are then portrayed as victims by their communities."

There was a GLARING example of this in yesterday's Jersey (City) Journal. Some maniac shot to death a young black fellow after an argument started in a hamburger joint. I say the fellow was a maniac, because after he killed the one fellow he ran out into the street and continued to shoot the gun. By pure luck he only killed one person. No motive is known at this time.

According to the article the fellow who was killed was a good kid, not into gangs or anything, at least that is how the story stands as of now. And judging by the shooter's rampaging behaviour it seems likely the victim was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but a person should really be able to buy a hamburger without getting killed.

The really irritating part was a quote from the father of the victim who said (I paraphrase) he didn't feel anger at the shooter because he was "part of the family too" who had "just strayed". And I am sorry, and I know you shouldn't really rely on what grief striken people say, but all I could think of was what this man's reaction would have been had his son been killed by a white person, I doubt it would have included any references to "family" or "straying".

So, good luck Mr. Cosby in getting your sensible message across.

[fredhead]

Many dress such that they stand apart from the mainstream, wear their hair in wierd ways, speak their own dialect to the point they no longer CAN speak standard English,

And sadly, the white kids start emulating them because they think "it's cool", case in point, the pants falling off of the boys' butts.

[KateatRFM]

The current world is what happens when the children rule and no one wants to be in charge. When mothers and daughters are competing for the same boyfriend, and Mama is more concerned with being thought a "hottie" by her childrens' friends than a wise person to turn to for the benefit of experience, what else can you expect?

A friend of mine teaches deaf children, and frequently will run into one who defies her by saying, "You can't punish me -- I'm HANDICAPPED!" Her response is always, "There is nothing handicapped about your brain." Mr. Cosby is following that trend and I hope it will continue.

[Vince Ferrer]

Is cosby a conservative?

I don't believe so, and I wouldn't publicly try to make him one. Cosby can reach people that will not listen to us, and trying to loudly jump on his bandwagon could alienate him from his audience. If he is successful at changing attitudes of certain blacks, the black wing of the democratic party can become a force for moderation against the white extreme left wing.

[Allosaurs_r_us]

Mostly, however, they worried that his comments would fan white people's negative feelings about blacks, without forcing them to acknowledge the role that racism and unequal opportunity plays in causing this kind of behavior

Although I agree completely we have a long way to go to eliminate racism in America, Bill hits it right on the money. This country is full of stories about kids being assaulted or killed for their shoes, jackets or the color of their bandana. Drug dealers and hip-hop artists condoning violence and being held in high esteem by their peers when they can barely write their names. If you ask a youngster what he is going to be when he grows up, his answer is just as likely to be "Drug Dealer" as it is to be lawyer, doctor, cop or firefighter. Cosby is only being honest when he tells parents and kids this is not the way to succeed. It is high time all people started taking a more active roll in what ails our society. You don't hear this kind of critisism from the revs Jackson or Sharpton. All you hear is how African Americans are being held back, not allowed and being prejudiced against. They always take the stance of repression as far as I can tell. They do a great job of stirring up trouble when they should be trying to prevent it.

I, for one, appreciate his counsel. And a father who tells his family the truth shouldn't worry about whether the neighbors like it or not.

This sentiment includes us all and should be addressed by all nationalities of this great country. It is why we are great!

[bill1952]

>At one occassion, he claimed that he's a liberal democrat who's tired of the way black parents behaved.

Today, the above statement is an oxymoron.
There is no such thing. Such people are Republicans

One problem is that the Democrats have changed so radically since Bill's youth, that he, like so many others, don't even openly state (or don't know) that they are really no longer in the Democratic camp of the 2000s.

And I doubt that they are voting in large numbers.

[NonValueAdded]

Nick Danger wrote: I think he'd make an interesting Secretary of Education. I think the job is available, and he is certainly qualified.

Absolutely right, Nick. I hope GWB is having the conversation with Mr. Cosby about SecEd. I think it would be a very unique challenge. OTOH, both men must weigh how that would affect Cosby's message. Perhaps he can continue his vitally important work better as an outsider.

As an aside, here we have conservatives again giving serious consideration to putting minorities in the highest reaches of government.

[brwnsuga]

It really doesn't matter how you wear your hair. It matters how you comport yourself. Look at how many white kids wear blue and green hair or mowhawks. But I bet you would be less inclined to fear them. Teenagers are just weird. But being black myself, I know how important it is to be able to live in both worlds. Make sure you speak standard English too, since is the language of commerce and higher education. You sound a little prejudiced. You need to get out more.

[mhking]

I've seen a comparatively wild suggestion that the good Dr. Cosby be approached by the Bush administration for the Secretary of Education spot.

I can't argue vociferously against that choice -- the only downside that I see is that he's been an outspoken leftist in his past, and has not iterated a political agenda presently. Then again, that might also be a plus in his favor; after all even I was a leftist in the past, but have since seen the error of my ways and reformed.

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[tiamat]

Actually, I kinda like the idea of Cosby as Sec of Education.


It's possible that having had his son murdered opened his eyes.

He would be effective, I think.

How likely do you think it is that he'd get something like that?

[John O]

Mostly, however, they worried that his comments would fan white people's negative feelings about blacks, without forcing them to acknowledge the role that racism and unequal opportunity plays in causing this kind of behavior.

What the black leadership fails to recognize is that we whites ALREADY see and know everything that Dr Cosby is saying and that we agree with him 100%.

We (most of us anyways) don't hold anything against blacks because they are black. We hold bad opinions of the blacks who are illiterate, obnoxious, criminals, or welfare junkies by their own choice. Society has given everyone the option to excel and improve their lot and those who claim racism as an excuse to not improve themselves infuriate the rest of us

[cyborg]

There is a white trash association. David Duke runs it himself.

[cyborg]

I don't know what makes Cosby a good choice for chief of the educrats. Because he says black kids should read? All up and down this thread you'd think that SOME people never heard black people ever say that education is important. Just because he's black and says what he says doesn't make him especially qualified.

[tiamat]

Hey!

How are you!

Nah... I like Cosby because he would get people to listen to him.. They'd be curious, and he's entertaining to listen to.

AND if he's saying the Right Thing....."more bang for our buck", just because of who he is.

[tiamat]

yborg wrote:


There is a white trash association. David Duke runs it himself.

---

LOL!

You had your Wheaties this morning didn't you?

[cyborg]

Actually I haven't had my morning coffee yet :-)

[NonValueAdded]

Dr. Cosby has a PhD in Education (real, not honorary) so it isn't an idle association of him and SecEd. Do we want caretakers running these agencies or people with a vision and a message? Dr. Cosby's message doesn't just apply to blacks you know. His message has some traction now and maybe SecEd is a way to bring it to the next level. Maybe not, as others have said. Still, if not SecEd, I hope GWB's administration is doing everything they can to help Dr. Cosby rescue a generation of youth of all races.

[cyborg]

Maybe you're right. It's pretty sad that no one listened to Paige when he called the NEA a terrorist organization. Which I happen to agree with. I'm very disgusted at this point with the whole system, and more importantly with people who make stupid excuses all the time. Does EVERY cause need a movie star to say something so people pay attention?

[cyborg]

I know he has a doctorate in education. I am a bit annoyed that no message seems to get out unless it's someone in hollywood saying it.

[mhking]

Just because he's black and says what he says doesn't make him especially qualified.

No, but academically, he has the qualifications; he says the right things, plus this creates a bipartisan environment that the libs will find it difficult to attack. It might only give them a moment's pause, but that's better than none at all.

If anything, it's an interesting idea.

Nothing may come of it, but who knows? Stranger things have happened.

[cyborg]

I can think of a lot of ways that the libs won't be able to attack him. Plus you're right. Stranger things have happened like Jimmy Carter presidency for instance!

[mhking]

Actually I haven't had my morning coffee yet :-)

No espresso for you, then! You'll REALLY go on a tear if you do!

[tiamat]

NEA is evil, pure and simple.

And you are talking to someone whose family had a LOT of teachers in it.

Heck, i wanted to be a teacher 9 I like kids) and then i found out that you can't actually TEACH most places.


Right now I am engaged in a viscious fight with my daughter's school. ( No private availabe and she needs to be around other kids so I don't homeschool. Besides, I suck at math! LOL!)

I de-program her every night. ( She has a switch on her neck. I press it, and all of the socialist crap gets deleted...and i fill up the space with other stuff. )

Sadly, most parents in this country don't CARE.
They are interested in hauling down cash, getting that SUV, entertaining the new boy-friends...watching the movie and watching the Big Game,

And they blow off the schools and the kids.

So yeah, if Cosby can get them to put down the remote, I'm for it.

[cyborg]

I know! :D

[GraniteStateConservative]

For a job that really doesn't matter much, it would make a splendid way to put a Democrat in the Cabinet. I think he'd do fine in the job, but he'd bitch about fully funding NCLB and that would get on Bush's nerves.

[kipita]

The comments so far are reflective of conservative Republicans and the fact that we know what the problems are and how to fix them. If this were a Democratic Blog, there would be very few comments and very few views.

[Sprite518]

I have a suspicion he maybe a closet Conservative. Bill has hung out with the Liberals. However, the things he says is just not Liberal. Perhaps he realizes he would be labeled an Uncle Tom, and I am sure his career ruined if he said he was a conservative. If this is the case, then I do not blame the guy.

What Bill has said is dead on. I like his jokes too. He is clean about them and very funny. Too bad the black community does not have more people like Bill speaking out. Bill has a lot of guts.

[speekinout]

the only downside that I see is that he's been an outspoken leftist in his past,

So what? Sec. of Ed. doesn't influence foreign policy, or the Def. Dep't or tax law, etc.

Cosby is exactly on track with what most Conservatives think is the problem with education, particularly in the Black community where it is a crisis. If he can make a difference, it doesn't matter if he is leftist or alien or whatever.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT