Your comments please

[Jackson]

Cosby challenges Spelman
Graduates 'To Take Charge'
By Charles Odum, AP
ATLANTA - Bill Cosby challenged Spelman College's graduates "to take charge" Sunday, adding those leaving the historically black college for women have no choice but to lead.
"You have to know that it is time for you all to take charge," Cosby said. "You have to seriously see yourselves not as the old women where the men stood in front and you all stood behind, because the men, most of them are in prison." Added Cosby: "It is time for you to pick up the pace and lead because the men are not there. They're not there and every one of you young women know it."

In 1987 Cosby and his wife, Camille, gave a $20 million gift to Spelman, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center on the campus opened in 1996.

Cosby said when a Spelman graduate in the 500-member class of 2006 accepted her diploma "there's no time for you to fool around anymore."
"You've got to because our race depends upon you and your sisters graduating all across the United States to realize that what's left is you," he said.

In his current "A Call Out with Cosby" speaking tour, he has emphasized the need for proper parenting and education as self-help answers for low-income, urban families.

In an interview with The Associated Press before his commencement speech, Cosby acknowledged that some would say he is "preaching to the choir" by talking to the Spelman graduates about those who fail to place an emphasis on parenting and education.

"I smiled and I say every Sunday so does the preacher," Cosby said.

Cosby, 68, said he realized parts of his speech would be unsettling to many in the audience.

"I'm going to speak to these young women about taking charge and I know it's going to be fearful and it's going to tweak a lot of things," he said. "They have to because it's in their lives and it's real. It is there. They are going to be needed to protect the legacy that is good."

Cosby told the graduates that the same male students who are dropping out of high school "have memorized the lyrics of very difficult rap songs." Added Cosby: "And they know how to send their sperm cells out and then walk away from the responsibility of something called fatherhood."

Cosby said he acknowledged that his criticisms are not meant for all black males, but he said 70 percent of black graduates this year are female.

On the Pulse

"Who's running the show?" Cosby asked. "It appears that the male is, but I have news for you. It's your turn"...."We want you to lead in business. We want you to lead in medicine. We want you to lead in everything."

Cosby, who has enjoyed great success as a comedian, actor and author, has been accused of being out of touch and unsympathetic with the poor. Cosby made a reference to his critics, who he called "all those liberals" and in his response he told the graduates "I'll be darned."

He reminded the audience of his youth in the projects of Philadelphia.

"I had three Christmases with no tree, no presents," Cosby said, adding he was too embarrassed to invite friends into his home during the holiday "because I didn't want them to see I had no tree, no presents.

"Don't tell me I don't know, don't tell me I'm out of touch," he said. "I'm telling you I am in touch."

Once again his speech just doesn't sit well with me. He represents the Black elite perfectly, IMO. Now that doesn't mean that I disagree with everything he has to say. More often than not he seems to be on the money. It's how he says somethings that bother me. You know that old saying, It's not what you say but how you say it? That's my issue. Well one of them. My other issue is that to me telling the Black woman she HAS to lead goes against the purpose of the Black family. Black women have been leading lately- some of them- because they have no choice. A real woman is going to do what needs to be done for herself and for her family when she has no help mate.

But what I really think this Black man should have been doing was speaking to other Black men about taking their roles seriously in this community and in their families. How about the Black man getting back to where he takes care of the Black woman and the Black youth??? Instead of down talking the Black man to this auditorium full of Black women, why not talk them about being ladies and acting like it and demanding the utmost respect from ALL men??? And why isn't he ever in the ghetto and the poor neighborhoods "preaching" to the people he claims are the problem???

When Cos first triggered some people with his comments a couple yrs ago I thought his heart was in the right place, even if his brain was somewhere else. But now I wonder if his heart is even in it at all, that perhaps he just likes being on some type of soap box and looking down on other people. I don't see him effecting any real change. Not to mention I'm always suspicious of people who prefer to talk and talk and do nothing to back it up.

[soulbrotha]

I agree with Bill. Nothing he said at Spelman was untrue. He could sugar coat things, but why? The truth hurts and it should.

[jamesfrmphilly]

Originally Posted by soulbrotha

I agree with Bill. Nothing he said at Spelman was untrue. He could sugar coat things, but why? The truth hurts and it should.

has uncle Bill ever hurt any white people?

[soulbrotha]

Originally Posted by jamesfrmphilly

has uncle Bill ever hurt any white people?

If he did hurt white people, it wouldn't assist nor take away from the situation he commented.

[robbboy2003]

I know one thing. People better get their house in order. "How can one throw stones when his house is faulty. Build your own house up before you go spouting off at others okay! You work from the inside out your house, wife kids family, then maybe other folks community maybe,and you don't need a pat on the back for it. It is going about your business the right way!

[jamesfrmphilly]

Originally Posted by soulbrotha

If he did hurt white people, it wouldn't assist nor take away from the situation he commented.

why is it that the truth hurts black people but not white people?
it is systematic white power that hurts black people.
uncle Bill never says anything about that.
he is a traitor.

[soulbrotha]

Originally Posted by jamesfrmphilly

why is it that the truth hurts black people but not white people?
it is systematic white power that hurts black people.
uncle Bill never says anything about that.
he is a traitor.

Why is it that the truth hurts black people but not white people?

B/C white people don't care about what happens in the black community, so blaming them or telling them the truth is a waste of time. But attempting to motivate those bright Spelman graduates that have a great chance to make a difference is well worth it.

As for the traitor comment, I think we need more traitors in our community if they are willing to donate $20 million amongst other donations to a HBCU.

[jamesfrmphilly]

Originally Posted by soulbrotha

Why is it that the truth hurts black people but not white people?

B/C white people don't care about what happens in the black community, so blaming them or telling them the truth is a waste of time. But attempting to motivate those bright Spelman graduates that have a great chance to make a difference is well worth it.

As for the traitor comment, I think we need more traitors in our community if they are willing to donate $20 million amongst other donations to a HBCU.

so you give white power a free pass?
it is not even worthy to be spoken of?
how can U fight an enemy that you do not even acknowledge?

Originally Posted by soulbrotha

But attempting to motivate those bright Spelman graduates that have a great chance to make a difference is well worth it.
As for the traitor comment, I think we need more traitors in our community if they are willing to donate $20 million amongst other donations to a HBCU.

How about motivating those people Cosby insists are the big problem to our community??? Why is it he is forever criticizing those in the lower economic brackets but he is never attempting to help them or motivate them in any type of way??? Giving Spelman all that money was a beautiful thing and I'm the last one to tell a grown man what he should do with his money. But 20 million would sure look nice rebuilding some of the worn out areas in our community or creating some businesses that create some jobs for all those people he constantly criticizes. The proof is in the pudding. Nobody cares about a person talking all day. A man should be much more respected for his actions than running his mouth any day. And from what I have seen Cosby hasn't done much of anything lately but run his trap.