i don't believe the chick's story...bills on point though...he reminds me so much of myself...
maybe we can team up together for NoBlackVote.org in '06? (tasia)
i began reading the article, and it's a good one...but i have to leave for class in like 5 minutes....so i'm gonna finish it later....i AM gonna finish it later...
but in the meantime....
I feel like....despite the accusations....I still say that if what the woman has accused this man of is all actually true....I just wish people....particularly Black men of high status, though....to make better decisions in their "personal" lives....especially someone of his great stature...when he has become a voice of reason for the African-American community....and therefore automatically becomes a target for any "****," big and small....anything to discredit him....and help us to go back to losing focus....
And with that said....I guess it is pretty obvious where I stand on all that he has said to us.
I feel like this is something that Black people need to hear. This is something that ALL Black people need to hear, young and old - male AND female.
If it has to come from him, then so be it. Minister Louis Farrakhan has been saying the same type of message for years, but his disadvantage to THIS society (well, particularly this country) is that he has the "wrong religion." Him being Muslim causes for most people to not even give him a second thought and automatically prejudge, regardless of what is message is and how much it benefits Black people (and actually, people in GENERAL) to hear it.
But back to Mr. Cosby. It is a shame that people don't mind 50 Cent, Lil' Jon, Lil' Kim, or whoeva else saying "****" this & "****" & "hoe" that...about people of our race (and have these people living out the characteristics of these labels in their videos)......and we'll let those little jokes in the 1st "Barbershop" movie slide, calling them all "just comedy," "not that serious," and "light-hearted"...but as soon as someone like Bill Cosby comes speaking what everyone REALLY needs to hear, pay attention to, and begin to apply to their own lives, THAT is what we decide to pick at and question.
The man is not downing the race. America may have gotten pass obvious discrimination between the races, as far as the law is concerned, but there has never been another time in this nation's history that discrimination WITHIN the Black community has existed so immensely.
We are so disconnected....so out of touch with each other now, it isn't even funny. So many of us see things so BACKWARDS, it is ridiculous. There is so much wrong with us now more than ever, and some of us know it, but most of us don't. Or, many of us do not want to face it.
Maybe if we start listening to people like Bill Cosby, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Tavis Smiley, and even Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, maybe we will finally GET somewhere collectively...instead of individually all the time. We are such individual-minded people now, when by nature, we are family-minded. "Family-minded," as in...if I receive...so does my brother...and my mother....my sister, father, uncle, cousin, aunt, niece, nephew, and anyone else I can help out or reach out to.
A lot of our people just think "If I receive...great...I better - I deserve it."
There is so much more we can be...so much more we can DO...not just for ourselves, not just for this nation, but for this WORLD...for HISTORY...for LIFE...if we all just came together and organized better...and really...put away all of the **** mentality that has thrown off our progression so far off track.
If we put aside all of the chips we have on our shoulders...all of our hang-ups...and "out for self" mentalities....maybe we could actually finally have our first Black president...one who is actually ABOUT the people - not just OUR people...but all people...one that America is entitled to after all of these decades. But that's for a whole other post .
Take care, all...Off to class now.
Poetiq, your sort of on point...yet so far off.
Sharpton, Farrakhan and Jackson preach something totally different from Cosby. Cosby is putting the blame of inequality on BLACKS. The former are putting it on WHITES. When in reality, when your life is coming to a close, there is only one person to blame...and that is yourself.
I side with Cosby. Although I'm not advocating that blacks are lower than whites, being a minority you will hardly ever get anywhere if you claim that you do not need to show whites any respect. The blatant truth is that White people control the country, and blacks were once on the right path through Martin Luther King. Make them respect us, by respecting them.
Equality will never be achieved unless African-Americans start doing something about the current situationt, rather than lay it all on the people who are TRYING to do something.
I always hated that quote "The squeeky wheel gets the ****." Jackson, Sharpton...they all use it. Do you know what that insinuates? It's telling me that they think so little of blacks that they attribute them to a wheel and white people as the vehicle owner. It's a subconscious form of mind slavery. Break that mold, and equality is one step closer.
Thunder
Thunder,
I dont know if I agree with you on this one. Are inequality is not based on our actions. It isn't our fault the white people treat us the way they do. In my opinion they never see us as equal..... There's nothin we can do about that.....
Now what we can do as a community is get our act straight and make changes on our own. We obviously can be as intelligent as the white folk, but they aren't going to treat us any differently (sorry to break some of yall hearts). We don't need to use this as an excuse to sit on our **** and do nothing, the way they treat us should give us the motivation to continue to strive for more........
Now I'm with Cosby to a certain extent. We can do a lot to get in a better position in America, but the fact is we will never be seen as equal to all the white folk. That's why we need to be educated and build up our own communities..........
Thunder,
I dont know if I agree with you on this one. Are inequality is not based on our actions. It isn't our fault the white people treat us the way they do. In my opinion they never see us as equal..... There's nothin we can do about that.....
Now what we can do as a community is get our act straight and make changes on our own. We obviously can be as intelligent as the white folk, but they aren't going to treat us any differently (sorry to break some of yall hearts). We don't need to use this as an excuse to sit on our **** and do nothing, the way they treat us should give us the motivation to continue to strive for more........
Now I'm with Cosby to a certain extent. We can do a lot to get in a better position in America, but the fact is we will never be seen as equal to all the white folk. That's why we need to be educated and build up our own communities..........
EXACTLY!!
And i don't agree with Mr. Cosby to a certain extent...I agree with him comPLETEly...
Thunder....
you misinterpreted my references to Rev. Sharpton and Jesse Jackson...
I did not say they have had the same message as Cosby...because you're right...they have placed blame on the opposite of what Mr. Cosby has....
what I said...was that...neither of them have been wrong in their messages.....because I hate to tell you this, but yes, Black people are to blame much for our current situation and it is our fault that we are choosing to stay in such an enslaved mentality...
HOWEVER....the situation GETS NO EASIER....with certain "powers that be" of the Caucasian persuasian...or certain other members of that race who hate us with a passion.....PERSISTENTLY...CONTINUOUSLY wanting to keep us down....
We as Black people do need to get ourselves together....get with the program and whatnot, but at the same time...we need to not be ignorant of ALL of our barriers. Various members of the White race in America's history....played a tremendous role in where we are today. They laid down the foundation for our destruction as a people....and we've just maintained it. But we aren't the only ones who have maintained it. There are still many out there of that race who hate us and would rather not see us succeed, prosper, or even live.
We have to be conscious about EVERY aspect of our problems - NOT JUST US...because it does NOT just start and stop with us.
That's why, again...I do not say that Cosby's message is the same as Sharpton and Jackson's....but nevertheless, we need to listen to all three...because together, the main points they aim to get across are the ones that we've been ignoring for so long and need to take into account...if we ever plan to fulfill our utmost potential as a people...and individually-speaking.
And as for Minister Farrakhan. I'm not sure if you have actually heard him speak - several of his speeches. But he has accredited the current condition of Black people to ALL who must rightfully claim it. Yes, he has mentioned that White people have had a BIG hand in where we are at now...based on the past...and to a certain extent, the present.
But please don't get it twisted...he, too, has said many times what Black people need to do....what Black men need to do in order to contribute to the overall success of us...and what Black women need to do...and what neither of us have actually done.
He speaks of how beautiful and intelligent we are, but how much we take that all for granted...and alike what Malcolm X spoke about, he is a big advocate of nationalism - doing for self..."self"...as in Black people not depending on another group of people (members of the Caucasian persuasian) for every little thing.
Minister Farrakhan, too, has spoken out against all of the negativity and horrible behavior that goes on within our community, but people just do not get to listen to that....or when they do, they don't want to.
All people want to pick out from Minister Farrakhan is when he says "All praises to Allah" (which is the same God that Christians pray too, by the way)....and when he refers to all of the atrocities afflicted on ALL races...by White people...throughout history....NOT SAYING HE HATES THEM....just speaking the TRUTH....about what they did....
And how EVERYone...can come together and move forward....
So please just take heed to everything said....and realize that I have love and respect for all of the previously-mentioned....because all they are trying to do is see the improvement and prosperity of such a neglected people....that happens to be their own....
Oh, and by the way....as for your comment about Black people needing to respect White people in order to receive respect for them...
I grant respect on a person-by-person basis....regardless of your color, religion, creed, etc....
Why would I respect someone, just because he or she is White, while they are trying to hang me? That isn't very logical...
Dr. King wanted us to not disrespect White people for no reason....he wanted us to try and be peaceful with them....treat them as human beings because we wanted to be treated as human beings....and that's fine....but that isn't the same thing as saying we have to respect them...just because they're White....they're the (so-called) "majority"...and it would be in our best interest to do so.....doesn't work like that....
It's not about trying to kiss up to them, which is what you are implying....If we got our own stuff together within our community...I mean, REALLY got ourselves together...started looking out for each other...started being there for each other....discontinuing to sell each other out for a buck and whatnot....that wouldn't even be a considered option to you....it is unnecessary...
So much more could happen for us in this country if we really wanted it to....we just have to REALLY want it...and SHOW that we really want it...and it has to be the MASSES of us showing this....not just a select one or two every 10 years....
White people have control because no one else wants to contest the control....With the passing of the '70s and '80s came contentment - people being too satisfied with "as is" conditions....and not realizing that yeah, we've come far - but we have so much further to go....which is what lead us to where we are at now....
So yes....I will respect a White person....should he/she earn my respect....just as how I would treat a Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or any other type of person....
I'm not going to get on my knees and spit-shine your shoes....just so that maybe...later on down the line...you will consider getting a bucket of water and pouring some on mine so they will be at least half-clean....
I'm going to make sure I don't spit on you...and expect the same in return....
There's a difference....
Bill got some great intentions. But he is going about it the wrong way for a few reasons. First he doesnt know how to more effectively (not saying he's not already VERY effective) and clearly get the message that he is trying to get across. He puts his messages in general terms which happen to be harsh and can easily, if not aware of intent, can be mistaken as insult towards the African-American race. Second he has no encouragement whatsoever. I agree 100% with his toughness and how he speaks the truth even if he has to step on some toes. But if you tear down you have to build up somewhere along the line. In the article it speaks about him having to change his style towards that point. Third his personal problems. Before I heard the rumoprs and such about him sleeping around or whatever I just said whatever to it. When I started disucssing Cosby with someone before the first thing they said was "SO, he cheated on his wife". If that wasnt my mother that said that I would of called that person ignorant. I really cared less about his personal life cause that did not have anything to do with his speeches until I actually found out what he did. One thing that Cosby stresses on is adults being good rolemodels and for him to make some mistakes he has made has put a mark on his reputation and I can aversely say that his personal problems has made parts of his speeches hypocritical. I really think that he was building up and becoming better and more effective, learning more, but until he comes out and puts his faults out to the African-American race, it will be extremely difficult to take joy in his words. I really do not mix personal problems with events thats occuring in the public scene, but when they are thrown into the public like this and actually contradict values that the person opposes then its tough not to hear.
i miss getting into political discussion with poetic...she hasn't really been on here since after the election....was it that bad sweetie?
naw we got to get into it again one of these days...i'll be serious this time... :wink: (tasia)
i miss getting into political discussion with poetic...she hasn't really been on here since after the election....was it that bad sweetie?
naw we got to get into it again one of these days...i'll be serious this time... :wink: (tasia)
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Take care, all...Off to class now.
