Cosby speaks at Read 2 Lead Classic
 

San Jose Mercury News
Posted on Fri, Sep. 17, 2004


link to story

Cosby defends earlier remarks

TELLS SJSU AUDIENCE BLACKS MUST TAKE OWN RESPONSIBILITY

By Aaron C. Davis

Mercury News

Bill Cosby says he should have chosen his words more carefully, but the message he's been heavily criticized for remains the same: African-Americans and all ``lower economic'' people must embrace education and take responsibility for their lives.

``Victims, get up if you can. Get your family together and stop blaming whatever,'' Cosby told a crowd estimated at 3,000 gathered Thursday night at San Jose State University.

In kicking off the school's three-day Read-2-Lead Classic that's designed to promote literacy, the 67-year-old comedian refined the controversial remarks he made in May -- mocking lower-income African-Americans for ``not holding up their end'' and for blaming failure on racial ``oppressors.''

In a word, Cosby said, his message now is: ``integrity.''

``We need a transformation, and we need your help,'' Cosby said in an hourlong, joke-filled dialogue with San Jose State football coach Fitz Hill.

``The great part of being literate,'' Cosby quipped, ``is you can see the mistakes of so many people.''

Hill and Cosby, who both hold doctoral degrees in education, said the weekend event, which is planned around the school's Saturday football game with Morgan State University, provided a rare opportunity to use the ``huge platform'' of college sports to promote education.

Sporting a navy blue SJSU sweatsuit, baseball cap and sunglasses, Cosby began the conversation by asking how many students in the audience planned to become schoolteachers. After a loud, whooping response, Cosby then steered the discussion toward a familiar refrain for the former actor:

Good parenting is the key to education, he said. The nation's public school system is no match for children from broken families that don't teach their children basic values.

In fact, audience members groaned at times as Cosby's grim description of inner-city life unfolded. Without education and good parenting, he said, children of lower income families are destined to a life of crime and abuse.

Parents need to give their children a ``vision'' for their lives, and teachers need to realize all the ``back stories'' that their students contend with each day, he said.

Rochelle Lakey, 28, who posed one of three questions Cosby answered, said while Cosby's comments may be perceived as politically incorrect, they are crucial to getting the nation's real social issues into the mainstream.

``This is not an easy message to bring to the masses,'' said Lakey, a software engineer who graduated from the University of California-San Diego in 1998. ``People think it's not really that bad and they don't understand why it's coming from Bill Cosby. It's just the way it is, people have to hear it."

Lakey's question got to the heart of Cosby's recent controversy. She asked what the comedian thought of the ``fallout'' from his May comments.

``He said he generalized too much, and I think his answer was right on,'' Lakey said. ``But I wish he could have talked more. There's never enough time for these conversations.''
Contact Aaron Davis at acdavis@mercurynews.com or (408) 275-0917.

Thanks for posting this, soror. Hopefully, Dr. Cosby has plans to bring his message to many large cities, especially Atlanta. I'm sure that Morehouse and Spelman appreciate the money and facilities that his family has given, but I hope that his message comes across to everyone. His words may be abrasive, but the truth hurts. I'd rather that we face the truth so we can begin the work that will set us free.

:rolleyes:

Even though I can follow what he has been saying I just don't agree with everything and the way it was said. Sure it is a message that needs to be preached but there is also a way to say and do everything. I am rholling my eyes again.

:rolleyes:

Sorhors,

Cosby makes a lot sense about many of the attitudes and behaviors of our African American and Hispanic youth. I'm very glad that he is standing up for what he believes. Some of our parents should've never had children. Some of these teens are out of control and I'm blaming the parents.


Serioussigma22:(

I agree with you in that it's the parents fault. People must take RESPONSIBILITY for the children they bring into this world. If they can 't do that, don't have kids. Period.:o

Agreed

Now, that is some serious truth! If more of today's parents weren't so concerned about being their child's friend, then more of these kids would be okay. I think my parents are the coolest parents in the world (okay 98% of the time), but best believe they would lay the smack down when necessary. I'm not condoning random beatings, but children always need discipline in all areas.

It seems that too many of us in my generation and even the past two generations forgot the long-term benefits of discipline that follow us for life. That's why 2 of my 7 nieces and nephews know me as "the mean auntie"; I have no qualms or hesitations about not giving into everything they want like many adults (including their mom) do for them. Because of that, they know not to come over after school expecting to just chill and act the fool. HW first, then we do further enrichment, and if there's time they can play.

Well...
 

I think it's a good thing that Cosby is bringing these issues to the attention of the mainstream. However, I think the problem extends well beyond class, and a major part of Cosby's comments have been class oriented.

You have a lot of educated, middle and upper middle class with kids who are straight out of control. You can't just say that it's the inner city kids who need that intervention and attention from parents and others in the community. A child who is neglected because his parents are out working 70-80 hours a week in an executive post is going to be open to major problems and abuse, just like the kid whose parents are holding it down with two or three jobs just to make ends meet. Crappy parenting knows no socioeconomic boundary.

I think that Bill Cosby means well, but the problem is so much bigger than class in this country where our children are concerned.