A month later: What's the consensus on Cosby's comments?

[hiphopnation]

I've read a lot about it. Everything from "taken out of context and blown way out of proportion" to "elitist, racist, and class-ist".

What's the consensus 'round these parts?

[efhmc]

1. Huh?

[hiphopnation]

5. LOL

which part are you "huh"-ing, if you please?

[DrWeird]

2. I think it's mostly him being an old fart.

I'd say other things about him, but I'd really be treading on thin ice.

[Cheswick2.0]

3. not being African American

I don't have a judgement. I think he is a good guy and I have no idea if he was right or not. I don't think there will ever be total agreement on that question.

[hiphopnation]

7. Why should you have to be black

to discuss whether or not his comments were on point/misguided/inapropriate/essential to spark debate etc?

Seems to me that, as one CBC member has said (can't remember who) what's good for the Black community is good for America and vice versa. Should this conversation be limited to Black people?

[DrWeird]

9. While I'm not black...

I certainly don't have a problem expressing my opinion that his comments were entirely misguided and inappropriate.

But because I'm white I find myself biting my tongue. As I would never use the term "uppity" or "uncle tom". If there were an equivalent of the term "self-hating jew" that could apply to African Americans without being inappropriate I would probably use it.

[hiphopnation]

11. I agree with

your earlier comments that he was likely being an old fart. As is widely accepted, when you reach a certain age you've lived long enough to not care what people think of what you say. But he was interviewed on Tavis Smiley later and Tavis asked him if he regretted making the comments and he said, squarely, no.

[DrWeird]

12. He seems to have a real distaste for modern black culture.

The point that I took from his comments is that it is inherently stupid and degrading, and that blacks should be ashamed of themselves for enjoying it.

Yet he rather obviously enjoys the black culture of his own youth. How many black jazz and blues legends did he have guest star on his show? Yet when his show was on, hip hop was in its golden age. Yet the only reference to hip hop I ever saw on his show was degrading.

Obviously Mr. Cosby is not a racist. I doubt he's a classist. But I think it's clear he's an ageist, or whatever you want to call it. And, voluntary or not, he's comments play right into the hand of closet racists everywhere: that black culture is inferior.

[hiphopnation]

13. Indeed.

Great post.

And on the other hand the incident also speaks to how far we've come that there is a contingency of crusty, rich, old black folks who decry the younger generation as a sign of the collapse of civility, education, and progress in much the same fashion that crusty, old, white folks would do. Although the audience at the Gala was decidedly mixed.

[FlemingsGhost]

10. Paging sangh0!!!!!

I would love to hear his/her take on the subject ...

What do you say, sangh0?

[Insider]

4. A month later: dust has settled

'nuf dust.

:D

[slor]

6. Well, as an African-American...

I felt disappointment at his comments. And I ask, what is he doing to rectify or even mitigate the problems, with all his billions? Not that money can solve all the problems in the AA community, but it could help. And whether he accepts it or not, the good ol' boy network is alive and well in America, and certainly shares in the blame as a root cause for the problems we confront. With all of the corporate greed and unfair taxation, the fact is that many people of all colors and ethnic groups have gotten the short end of the stick in this country.

[hiphopnation]

8. Cornel West on Tavis Smiley

mentioned that Cosby is well known for giving to all sorts of charitys, fund-raisers, speaking at events and being very very active in the black community so his comments should be taken in that context.

[Frances]

14. I did not hear what he said; I just got a summary here at DU

My first thought was that Cosby has given much money, time, and effort to help other AAs.

He has had to deal with some pretty bad blows. My guess is that he feels that if his son, who had dyslexia, could study hard and make it in college, then others should be able to do so as well. His very nice son (according to my daughter who met him) was murdered. It is probably hard not to be bitter about this.

Then Cosby had to deal with the young woman who was blackmailing him because Cosby had slept with her mother. Cosby gave the young woman money over the years. Instead of using the money to build a career for herself, she spent the money and kept asking for more.

I think Cosby is letting his personal disappointments affect his judgment.

[hiphopnation]

15. Interesting.

I did not know those things about him. I remember his son being shot; truly tragic.

But I didn't know that he was essentially being blackmailed. That's rough.

Thanks. :thumbsup:

[Frances]

16. Maybe blackmail is too strong a word

But Cosby had sex with a woman who had an illegetimate child. The child grew up thinking that Cosby could be her biological father. It turns out that he wasn't. As I remember it, the child received scholarship money from Cosby. At some point she went to the media and the story came out. Of course, Cosby had a wonderful reputation as a family man and philanthropist and it must have hurt to have had a brief encounter many years old on the front pages of the papers.

This info is all from my memory--you could probably find an old newspaper account online. The newspaper I was reading at the time was the Washington Post.

[goclark]

17. I am African American

and I view his comments as a wise elder talking to those he wants to do better with the next generation. The way that he said it was offensive to some, Black and White.

Now that the dust has settled, I can see, from his Millionaire status,that he is giving good advice. He was raised in Philadelphia and he was not wealthy. Many in his generation feel that we need to do more to educate our children these days. He is right!

He has always put his money where his mouth is-gives generously of his time and talent for his people.

Does he understand the hip hop generation and songs with words that the ear doesn't understand - NO. And at his age, he doesn't care what anyone thinks about what he says.

It must be nice to be that rich and have the freedom to say what you believe.

[daligirrl]

18. As another African American. . .

I respect Bill Cosby enormously. He has inspired a whole generation of black folk to strive for what was once taken for granted Blacks could not achieve. And he does donate a lot of his money to good causes. I agree that as he has gotten older, he has become a little crotchety at times. I agree with the spirit of what he is saying, but sometimes he stereotypes Blacks a little too much. I'm all for personal responsibility, but some of us have so much working against us. I will admit, too, that I have a lot of problems with some of the Hip-Hop culture, but I think it is inherently good.

I come from a very upwardly mobile family, but we have kept close connection with our roots. I grew up with all types of people. I know what it's like out there for a young Black person, and I try not to judge anyone too harshly. I was one of the lucky ones. . . I was offended by the "pound cake" argument that he made, but I know what he's trying to say. I wasn't too concerned about the bruhaha, as a whole.

[scarletwoman]

19. As a white woman, I don't particularly feel qualified to judge, BUT

back when the Cosby flap first appeared, I read this piece: http://blackcommentator.com/93/93_cover_cosby.html -- and found myself vigorously nodding in agreement.

I stepped away from mainstream culture almost 40 years ago, and learned how to survive on the fringes. But as a white person, with all the ease and privilege inherent in being a member of the dominant culture, I fully recognize that my philosophical stance is a matter of personal choice -- actually a luxury -- and not one of social circumstance or historical oppression.

So what would I say to a disconnected, rebellious, angry, nihilistic -- and perhaps self-destructive -- black youth? Get straight and get with the mainstream? No, I don't think so. The mainstream IS effed up, and more people (of EVERY color!) need to recognize that basic fact.

Maybe all I can say is this: go deeper. Take all that energy and rejection of the mainstream and delve into the deepest part of your souls and spirits, into the very core of your own unique creativity.

sw