I couldnt agree more, it is our responsiblity as educated african americans, to go back and instill some sort of pride and education into the lower income predomitely black and hispanic communities. For all of those who want to pursue education as a career choice, i salute u because its gonna be hard to reverse the miseducation we have going on right now. To those in business, we should look towards independency, and building our own legitimate business in our neihborhoods to stop gentrification. to those in science and healthcare, we should work together to educate our people on how to live and eat healthy. After all, it seems that we are at higher risk to many of the illnesses that plague our community. And to those in law and political science, it is your job to fight for the injustices that are being done to our people. You are our voice that rarely makes it to congress, the court room, and the white house. Its a big task but i still have hope.
I agree with Bill Cosby totally. You have to look at it like this. Any black figure is gaining power and is spreading a message in order to empower and wake the community is going to be under close watch. The way I see it, Bill Cosby had to say what he said. Shoot maybe now people will listen.
[color=blueI heard that Swaygert (sp) made a rebuttal after Mr. Cosby spoke stating that blacks aren't the highest population on welfare and some other comments.
Where did he get that information from? :? over 90% of the studnets at A&T alone would not be able to attend college in the first place without a pell grant or something of the like. But we aren't the highest population on welfare. There's nothing wrong with what he said. Like usual, we as a people are blowing things up bigger than they have to be. The worse part is that most are probably doing it because he's stepping on their toes! I don't know what Mfume would have to be shocked about. The kneegroe couldn't even answer a question on Jeopary about the NAACP!! :evil: Hell, he barely made it past $1000... Tavis Smiley didn't do so hot either. I lost a lot of respect for the both of them... :?
How can he call people poor but then say in the same breath that they are buying them $500 sneakers? He made me upset saying that they're parenting skills are poor. I live in the "hood" and always have. I've gone to school with kids who would be described as being low-income but they're parents were always at school for programs, conferences, or whatever they had to come up there for. So for him to make that generalization is ridiculous. Some people could say celebrities have bad parenting skills not spending time with their children and buying them expensive gifts. So what makes him or "rich" people better parents than low-income? So it's not like some of them aren't trying to be involved in their children's education.
I was at the event where Cosby was speaking and I pretty much had to agree with what he was saying. Some people had issues with what he said but I think thas only because he was telling the truth. We as black people can no longer always try to blame others for our adversities, we have to now look at those things that we do that keep us from achieving the ultimate in success. And to comment on the post above mine, it's not uncommon for "poor" people to be walkin around in the most expensive sneakers and whatever else. I know of mothers who'd rather spend their checks on making sure they look good and that their children are fitted, than making sure there is healthy food on the table for their children every night.
And the comment Cosby made about people's parenting skills was not directed just at low income households. He was talking about black households in general. And let's not even talk about the fact that many, not all because my parents didn't, black parents in urban settings are not involved in their children's schools. My mom is a teacher at one of the black high schools here and i see first hand how these children's parents fail to take interest in what's going on in the school. There is no reason why on PTA night only 50 parents show up and the school has more than 700 students. With all that said I really don't think Cosby was trying to place blame on low income parents verse "rich" parents; i think he was placing blame on everyone.
I think he has an illegitimate child or something like that...regardless the man was still on point. May be a tad hypocritical...but I look at it like this. Even the best of preachers have skeletons in their closet, but that shouldn't keep them from preaching the word.
no offense but this is coming from the same man who couldnt even pronouce "jello pudding pop" correctly for YEARS.....i simply dont understand how money can make you more educated...i am from a poor background and was much more intelligent than any of my richer counterparts...he can preach the "word" all he wants, but at least preach it where you dont make yourself look like an a**.....
but im a bit biased though ive never liked him ever since he called richard pryor a "low-class comic" :?
no offense but this is coming from the same man who couldnt even pronouce "jello pudding pop" correctly for YEARS..... i simply dont understand how money can make you more educated...i am from a poor background and was much more intelligent than any of my richer counterparts... he can preach the "word" all he wants, but at least preach it where you dont make yourself look like an a**.....
but im a bit biased though ive never liked him ever since he called richard pryor a "low-class comic" :?
You stated the answer in your question. There is a big difference between education and intelligence.
One does not necessarily confer the other, although an intelligent person often seeks education but is not defined by it. Holla!
I have to say that for Cosby to just point out the low income families and communities was wrong. Yes, it is more likely that people coming from those backgrounds are less likely to properly speak English (only because they aren't encouraged to do so, not because they don't know how). However, there are people making millions who never had to work for a dime and probably don't know what the "hood" looks like whose English is worse. So to focus on this socioeconomic class is completely wrong. Another thing is that people have to realize that people (not just African Americans) tend to adapt to their surroundings. If a person is around others who speak **** English, so will they and vice versa. Another thing, about the spending money and stuff, come on. Yes, there are people who pay money for expensive clothes and neglect bills and things of that nature, but majority of those who are lacking in money don't just go spending money like that. I think that before people make judgements, especially when signaling out a particular class of people, that much thought should be put into it and save for more appropriate times.
