The Cosby Conundrum
I’m a vocal and proud news junkie, and to quench my thirst for knowledge, every Sunday it’s Meet The Press. I’ve come to expect a weathered roster of shifty-eyed politicos to slide into the seat across from Tim Russert every week — so imagine my surprise this Sunday when none other than Bill Cosby was in the hot seat.
The Cos was presenting his latest book, Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors. The book is co-written by Harvard Medical School Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, who appeared alongside Cosby on the program. The book firmly tackles the issues that Mr. Cosby has been honing in on for the last decade or so — his concerns about the direction that the African American community seems to be heading in.
It was an endlessly fascinating hour of television, and if you missed it, you can click here to watch. If you can’t watch the video, read the transcript here.
Let me give you a taste of the discussion, via those transcripts.
Mr. Cosby declares: “I cannot fully tell you how disappointing it is to hear philosophies come from people—and the only way I can describe it is a friend of mine who says people—some people are, are, are acting with abnormal behavior, trying to make it normal, and that’s insane. And that’s, that’s what he said. I hear things coming out of the mouths of babes, things that they believe—example, and what—one of the most old-fashioned things. Kid is studying, and so they say to the kid, “You’re acting white,†which is a put-down to make this kid stop studying. Well, let’s examine this. If you’re black and you say to me, because you see me studying, “You’re acting white,†what is it you’re saying about black people? You see, these are things that have to be discussed with, with—and nobody—people aren’t coming up enough to challenge these statements, to, to, to do character corrections on these things.”
He continues, “If a young girl says, “I want to have a baby because I want something that, that loves me,†that young lady is saying something. And we’ve got to talk to her about herself and her idea of love. She hasn’t graduated from high school, she’s willing to, to have a child. All of these character corrections are not being done while record companies are putting out records inviting people to continue that kind of behavior, to, to not talk about get an education. It’s just as easy to put that to a rhythm.”
Of course the discussion then segued into gangsta rap and questionable lyrics, which has been one of Bill Cosby’s peeves for years now — anyone remember that episode of the Cosby Show when Rudy’s singing a song, “do it to me all night long?” And her dad asks her, “what do you think “it” is?” Same thing, except the lyrics have become ten times more explicit. And now Cosby’s advocating having a “shakedown” in his kids’ bedrooms.
Cosby and Poussaint touched on the key issues that they believe are plaguing black America — education and the “acting white” phenomenon, the desperate need for two-parent family structures, the scary statistics of black on black violence, the fact that so many in the black community don’t vote, and the need for personal responsibility within the community itself. It could take me a month to really delve into his statements topic by topic and debate them. And besides, Michael Eric Dyson already did that in his book Is Bill Cosby Right (Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?).
On Meet the Press, Cosby dismisses the arguments of his critics as the “yeah buts.” His rebuttal has validity — “If you really understand what Bill Cosby is saying, if you really listen, he’s saying, “Get an education. Drive your children with love and care, and they will feel confidence when they go to school. Build a confidence about yourself and what you can control, and then you will be able to fight the systemic and the institutional. You will care more about what you do and what is done to you.†I’ve said that over and over,” he declared in response. But there were many moments where Cosby and Poussaint’s discussion devolved into “I met a young lady who” discussions that weakened the power of the statistics they were presenting, and many of their points resounded with out-of-touch sentiments. Dr. Poussaint mentions “white kids who were into some of this rap and so on started calling themselves “wiggersâ€.” Um, I’ve never met a white rap fan who calls themself a “wigger,” Mr. Poussaint. If I were a young person who you might be trying to reach, I just laughed at what you were saying, and you just lost me.
There is so much to consider in Cosby and Poussaint’s discussion, so much to unpack and explore. But throughout the show, one thought kept coming back to me. Why Meet the Press? Why was this iconic figure of black fatherhood appearing on a political Sunday morning talk show that (I’m supposing) a primarily Caucasian audience watches? It was hardly a case of pitching to the key demographic — I suspect that many of Meet the Press’s most regular viewers are of the age and status that they would resoundingly agree with Cosby’s assertions that lay so much blame directly at the feet of poor black people in America.
Mr. Cosby has already been accused of being ill-informed on the current realities of black community life, and having classist, elitist perspectives. He’s boldly defended accusations of airing so-called “dirty laundry” in inappropriate venues. So once again he invites criticism by the very location of the discussion, which in my opinion, defeats his largest and most valid points.
Personally, I’d love to see Bill Cosby go head-to-head on one of the Hip Hop vs. America debates on BET, where the actual rappers and people most affected by the conditions he so vividly describes could gain from his viewpoint. Michael Eric Dyson, Stanley Crouch, and Farai Chideya all appeared on those debates, and raised their points to rappers like Nelly and the freshly-arrested TI. Even though Bill Cosby is a huge celebrity who probably has issues with BET and may not deign to appear on a panel, wouldn’t it make more sense to reach out to the people who are most interested, and possibly need to hear what you’re saying the most? If you want to deliver a message, why not send it in the most direct manner possible?
Did you catch Cosby on Meet the Press this weekend? What is your opinion on his views? Does his approach make you want to listen more closely, or not? I’d love to hear what you think, bellas and fellas!
Category: Famous Faces, Issues
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I just saw Bill on Oprah yesterday discussing the book. When you ask about the forum he’s choosing, I think he’s right on the money. Bill’s telling Middle class black people to take responsibility first. If you were watching Meet the Press, and I was watching Oprah (both ‘white middle-class’ shows) then we’re the demographic he’s trying to reach. The truth of the matter is that black people watch both BET and regular tv.
I have always agreed with the Cos. I think he has the right point of view about black folks. I think he needs a little help with real solutions though. I somewhat understand where Dyson is coming from – life is not black and white there is a heck of a lot of gray that we DO need to consider. However I also feel that Dyson misses the point when he says that we middle class and working class folks have lost our minds – I think we are overwhelmed and don’t know exactly where to start. We know there is a big NEED though because of racially tinged issues like Jena 6 and threats becoming more common place. There is a lack of a standard that we as a people have, often to have a standard means that you are bourgeois not just simply wanting better and I think that Dyson has missed that distinction as well. Cos is talking about it, and is clearly talking to my generation about fixing it, however there is a disconnect because our parents generation do NOT want to take ownership of their part in how we kinda got here too. Now our generations combined we are a force to reckon with and we can reach the younger ones who are looking around for a road map to get to a better life. Heck, we can probably even reach those who never considered having a better life. We need to look at so much when it comes to building up our communities and his being brave enough to say some of the things that needs to be said is an excellent first step. Some of our generation need to be up there with him to though voicing our opinions and possible solutions. Somehow that free love, divorce, not being responsible, nobody knowing where the heck daddy is at from the older generation is being brushed off and that too has a lot to do with the break down of our families and our communities. If we are going to deal with the issues honestly, then voice them, forgive ourselves and move forward. Standing qround arguing over peanuts and shells won’t get a doggone thing changed.
I just watched som of Mr. Cosby’s discussion on MTP, from Korea.
Everything he said and says is accurate and to the point. What I don’t understand is why there is a large number of our people who think it is hard given all of the opportunities, resources, etc. that we have in this day and age, to raise our children to be outstanding, intelligent, compassionate, decent human beings? When you get home from your jobs, careers, whatever, you are not dealing with “the man”, racism, or any other ism’, you are dealing with a child who wants and needs your love and guidance. When he said on another show how a lot of young black boys and girls can barely read and write but know every lyric, every curse word, etc. …it’s not the government’s fault, the school districts’ and definitely not the teacher’s fault. I don’t understand why we as a people are in this crisis?
We are better than this.
As a serial harasser cum philanderer, I am both amused and perplexed at the platform Cosby’s afforded as America’s #1 Dad. It might be instructive to speak to his children and see what they have to say about his parenting skills. I would hazard a guess that they might share that they had their material needs met but that their Dad was often absent from their home.
His attack on poor folks is particularly troubling. Since his target is the poor uneducated, undereducated among us it would seem that he avoids speaking to his intended audience.
Education, love, and compassion are the answers. Diatribe, scapegoating, and callous sniping are just more of the same that usually comes from those who purport to be neither America’s number#1 Dads but America’s #1 racists.
If philanthropy affords one the bully pulpit to say whatever one wants with neither care nor worry about whom it may harm than Cosby has paid in advance. But I for one will turn a deaf ear to both him and his parsimonious sermonizing.
I understand what Mr. Cosby is trying to do. I get tired of the gangsta rap that is on the airwaves and the lack of respect for education from our youth. However, I also understand the racism that breeds the attitudes behind these behaviors. Gangsta rappers are employed by White run recording labels and their music is supported by a White fan base. Lack of interest in education may be the result of limited educational opportunities in a country where most inner city schools cannot afford AP courses and good teachers. Teenagers should not have unprotected sex and have children, but then why should laws restrict sex education, especially in minority areas?
I respect what he is trying to say to African Americans. We shouldn’t be apathetic about our fate in this country. We should be more cognizant about what is around us. However, there are still great obstacles ahead of us. Racism still exists and is still a very real detriment to African Americans. But sometimes, I just get tired of people telling us to clean up our messes and holding us up to a different standard of behavior. I get tired of people telling me that I’m “different” and so “articulate.” At the end of the day, as selfish as this may sound, I think most Black people don’t want to be ambassadors and spokespeople, but we want people to look at us as individuals and not have to worry about how people perceive us. That is the real issue; that we are not allowed to be individuals and I don’t think Mr. Cosby addresses that.
There is no excuse. It is not about money, opportunity, skin color, etc.
It is simply about caring enough to respect yourself, your children, your community and your ancestors. If we through a million dollars at an inner city school, put Macs all over the place, PH.D’s for teachers, it still wouldn’t make a difference. The difference is you and what you want out of life. Period.
I missed MTP, but just caught the clips on the web. I whole-heartedly agree with BC because he speaks the truth. I’m poor, black, and come from a very broken family, yet I am trying my best to live out my life on some positive notes. I’ve had to rebuild my own psyche and confidence from scratch. I have NEVER had anyone “rub my lamp” so the genie would come out. Infact, I was often berated for reading and studying (“Why is that girl wasting electricity! Tell her to read in the dark!” “What the hell you gonna find in a book?” etc.) by the very same people given charge to raise me! Yet, as an adult, I refuse to be a victim of my circumstances. As much as I would love to, I cannot hold anyone accountable for my present state other than myself.
I am more aware than ever that my life is EXACTLY HOW I CREATED IT. I have the power, like we all, to mold my world to my needs. And that way of thinking is not celebrity or special. It is what it is. However, too many people are caught up in the “yeah, buts…” rather than trying to do anything to improve their situations.
Personally, I think BC should air this dirty laundry over and over and over. Maybe the shame will finally clean the wash, ’cause keeping it hidden does nothing but promote the growth of mold.
If blacks are so concerned with whites “knowing our business”, then why don’t folks grow up and learn how to be productive?
Quit blaming the white man for your refusal to wear a condom, thereby spreading AIDS and making black women the fastest growing group in America to contract the disease.
Stop blaming white folks for your crack habit. Oh, the CIA put it in the neighborhood?? Did they hold a gun to your head and make you smoke it, too? Funny, every time I drive by the Crack Corner 1/2 mile down the street, I don’t see any men in black holding shot guns to the wayward brothas prowling the night like agitated lizards.
Once when my mother’s husband shot up heroin in front of me and tried to get me to use it, I told my mother. Know what she said? In a very hushed voice, she took me the side and said: “He doesn’t know what he’s doing. That’s just the drugs talking. Now don’t tell anybody?” To this day she will deny that ever happened. And to think we have an entire community with that mindset. Boy! I wish I was important enough to be invited to MTP. I’ve got several loads of funk that need to be aired.
I guess I’ve been blessed with a little bit of brain and a great will to survive. Nowadays, I rub the bottle for myself and revel in the genie I have become. I welcome more public commentaries by BC…hang the soiled sheets high on the line and beat them hard, beat them long. As long as he doesn’t offer me any cough medicine, we cool.
Oh yes, I forgot one thing…YOU GO MISTRESS SCORPIO!!
@Lori,
Thank you for being you. I do not agree with one thing that you said. You are NOT poor. On the contrary, you are very rich in spirit. Judging from what you wrote, I’d say that your attitude and outlook on your life is going to get you out of a financially “poor” situation you may find yourself in. I would love to shake all of the “yeah buts” of the world and tell them exactly what you mentioned: that whatever the circumstances we are all ultimately responsible for our own lives and that only WE have the power to improve our lives, NOT the government or whatever or whoever most people love to blame and complain about. Real talk.
I don’t think it’s about blaming white people for anything. We should not be perfect in order to be respected and allowed to be human. I don’t think teenage pregnancy is right, I don’t think alot of it is right, but these are not features that are inherent to the Black community. I don’t want to have to be a model minority just to get an interview for a job I am more than qualified to get, or to be respected as just an individual. My point was that as a college graduate, a person that speaks more than one language, and a person of integrity, I should be noted for those achievements and not have to explain, or excuse the generalized behaviors of a few. These behaviors do not describe the vast majority of Blacks all over the world. My point is to say that instead of apologists decrying the notion of true equality, why can’t we all agree that racism is still a problem and try to figure out how much it does impact individuals. We also have to hold ALL individuals up to a standard of behavior that creates social harmony with the understanding that not all poor and undereducated people engage in dangerous behaviors.
You know, there are a lot of people who always want to use RACISM as an excuse why black folks just can’t get ahead. I daresay, Bill Cosby’s generation was subjected to far worse acts of RACISM than are present today, and yet he managed to do something with his life besides stand around with his thumb up his bum crying about how RACISM is keeping him down!
It is my belief that people in this generation have absolutely NO IDEA WHAT REAL RACISM IS. I mean, how many of today’s 20 or even 30 somethings encounter burning black bodies swinging from trees on average of two or three a week? How many restaurants have these same people gone two that had signs posted on the doors that read NO N*GGERS OR DOGS ALLOWED? How many can say they were turned down for work for obvious racial reasons??
Hell, if you want wear that victim badge all your life, crying that RACISM is responsible for everything wrong in your or your fellow brother’s/sister’s life, that is your perogative, but I challenge you to find ways in which true RACISM has had an impact on your everyday life.
Oh, the inner schools systems don’t get the kind of funding that the white suburban schools get? True, but is that a legitimate reason for child XYZ to skip school for the streets? Is that reason enough for child XYZ’s parents to throw up their hands and cry RACISM is keeping their children from getting an education so they can better themselves? If so, then child XYZ and his/her parents better take a long hard look at the education system available to blacks back in the early 1900′s. Does Mary Mcleod Bethune ring a bell for anyone? A poor washer woman with a vision who, despite real RACIST threats from the KKK, established a school for black children during a time when it was damn near impossible.
Now, nobody is saying that black people have to be extraordinary to make it in this world. We can be as underachieving as anyone from any other ethnic group. I am all for being average and getting by. And you sure don’t have to be a model citizen. It still comes down to personal choice and responsibility. But I am here to tell you, in this day and age, RACISM IS AN EXCUSE CHERISHED BY THE WEAK FOR NOT EVEN TRYING!!!
You want to talk RACISM…take a look at what went on in Rawanda, and what is happening over in Darfur at this very moment. You want to be angry and bitter about something, get angry and bitter about how an ENTIRE generation of black people are being wiped out by the RACIST Sudanese government. What is happening over in Darfur, the out of control genocide that is wiping out hundreds of thousands if not millions of men, women and children, is an example of REAL RACISM!
Sudanese soldiers are raping their black victims in order to produce a LIGHTER RACE! This is RACISM!!
I daresay, there are few Western (or anybody) societies where conflict of interest does not exist, where people don’t use skin color, religion, sex, political affiliation, class, or money to promote their own agenda. I mean if you’re gonna holler RACISM all the time, why not include SEXISM, AGEISM and WEIGHTISM, too, as these are also ways people are judged and discriminated by.
I venture to say that the reason we can’t all agree that RACISM is a stumbling block for achievement is because all of us do not allow it to be. I daresay, there are those of us who realize the opportunities we have at hand today far outweigh what our forefathers and mothers had at their disposal. I am grateful to be alive in this day and age and living in America. There is something very sweet about it despite the many imperfections.
You want to stomp out RACISM? First, quit using it as an excuse. The rest will follow.
Peace.
@Lori
Thank you!!!!! Thank you!!!!!! I was thinking along the same lines as you, especially when I read the comment from “Keke”. You hit the nail on the head and drove it to down deep! I was thinking to comment on her last words but I was just too disgusted to even bother because I too, am so tired of people using racism as an excuse as to why people are in the circumstances that they are in. It is your personal choice that you are where you are and it is your RESPONSIBILITY to improve your circumstances if you are not satisfied with your current reality. Period. Our ancestors, mother and fathers suffered far worse than we will ever have to and do you think they sat at home moaning and groaning about RACISM?! They created better lives for themselves, their children and other people’s children by taking the bull by the horns and doing something with their lives because they had to and they KNEW that they could better, thus they did do better. Some of us want to do STUDIES about how racism impacts the lives of Black people? Please. Go tell that mess to those affected by Hurricane Katrina and see what kind of response they’ll give you.
Thank you for your wise words.
I am a black Trinidadian who watches MTP all the time. Mr Crosby is 100% right. Keeping things “in-house” does not work in the black community because the issues will be swept under the rug. It is time for our people to wake up and be the people who God created us to be.
TV doesn’t want to interview black women who have had the answers for years. Bill Cosby says black men have suffered the most. I say black women have suffered the most.
I couldn’t be prouder than Mr. Cosby. He is a true leader. Leadership is not about going with the flow, but standing up for what is right. Mr. Cosby is right and people will better understand it in 10 years or so when we reflect back on to this period. Enough of the guns, violence, senseless killings, pimps & hos, drugs, materiality, disrespect of women, etc. Hip hop needs more balance!
I find I continue to keep coming back to your blog. Great info. Many thanks for posting.