Re: Re: I see it as tough love
 

Tell your kids to be like me. I will be their role model.

Again I ask, why do we need role models? There is a lot of truth to what Mr. Cosby is saying. But why do we need role models? We don't like it when we as Blacks are seen as ethnomonolithic, but saying we need role models is buying into it. Are we an ethnomonolith or we a diverse group of people for whom some are good and some are bad?

I think we're a diverse group of people in terms of politics, economics, education, good and bad. But I still see some reluctance to be individuals among us. I believe we can and should come together on certain issues, but we should not be an ethnomonolith.

I think role models are a necessary. However, I think there's a difference between a role model and a leader. Role models are people that you look up to. There were always people in my community that I looked up to.

Re: Re: Re: I see it as tough love
 

And who are you? Why should anyone look to you as a role model? If you were being serious, then I would appreciate a serious response. If not, don't waste time in this thread because this is, aparantly, a serious discussion.

I agree that role models are necessary. While it would be ideal that parents be the role model for their children I do understand that is not always the case in our community. So for those children who don't have role models it would be a necessity for them to see positive images and have something to aspire to.

Re: Re: Bill is.....
 

I basically agree with everything you said here.

Since I really can't stand Bill Cosby, I'll leave it at that.

Did he really donate 900 million or are people exaggerating? I've donated 20 bucks to my college and think that was too much.

I think Obama should be a role model for African-Americans.

-Rudey

Come on man do you really not understand the need for positive role models in the black community, if you don't just look around. I'm not trying to cause any waves but I work w/ youths and you'll be surprised by how just being around an older person who dresses,speak and displays proper behavior have on them.



Senusret Why can't you stand Cosby?

Abaici It is a grass roots effort that should start w/the parents if Cosby can donate millions in order to help young blacks to be in a position to attend college, the parents can at least donate the effort in order for their kids to make it to a level to recieve what the Cosbys of the world are offering. He can't do it all for them.

I agree with what he said too and wanted to point out- he is Bill Cosby, it doesn't matter WHAT venue he used to say it, it would be reported. Just like if it was Oprah or Michael Jordan- his stature as a mainstream star has made his comments mainstream too.

Like many of you I work in a school, and I gotta say that I question the idea of cultural "role models". The only person who can be a role model for a kid is a parent. If the parent doesn't do his or her job then NO ONE will. Teachers can try, grandparents can try, and to some extent they might be able to alleviate the worst of the damage but in the end, you can't replace that figure.

I would love to see an initiative in teaching parenting skills to individuals of lower economic classes, regardless of race. That is where the problems start, and where they can end.

You can PM me if you want to know, but based on the tenor of this discussion so far, I am really not trying to be in a big public debate about why I don't like the man.

Lovelyivy I must respectfully disagree w/ you there have been many kids who had the misfortune of having parents who weren't worth a damn, but along the way meet someone a role model or mentor who got them on the right path thus changing that kid's life in a positive way. So yes bad parents can be (and should be) replaced by a positive role model/mentor......some parents are like half a dollar bill technically it's still a dollar but it's still can't do nothing for you.

That's why I said that it can be alleviated to some extent- other people can step in and undo SOME damage, but I don't think that ANYONE can fully compensate for a parent.

Re: We are seeing the end result of racism
 

The city of Boston has been doing this lately; there's been big cry to get clergy involved in keeping crime down, and in the past month or so prominent relgious leaders in the community have been teaming with the police to find answers.

Whether it's a genuine effort on the Boston Police Dept.'s part or just part of a PR campaign, I'm not entirely sure. We'll see though.

Well, he donated over 20 million dollars to my alma mater.


@Phrat, I "got ya back". I'm not particulary fond of Mr. Cosby myself.