Bill Cosby has more harsh words for black community

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by tiggersmom2
I do not think that Bill Cosby is saying this to hurt his race, he just wants to help. I understand when he talks about bad grammar. There is a lady I work with that always says "axe" instead of "ask" She is highly educated and I just don't get why she refuses to speak correctly.

I went to the doctor for my monthly shots the other day and had to bring my 2 DDs ages 4 and 8. The black nurse said she'd be right back to 'axe' me my allergry questions and then she shut the door. My 8 year old noticed and said what did she mean, mom, when she said she'd 'axe' you? I found it difficult to explain why she says 'axe' instead of ask. I just said to her she meant 'ask'. Some people talk with an accent. I didn't know how to explain it.

 

[Robinrs]

Racism EXISTS, whether we want to put up a blinder to it or not. Maybe it's easier to believe it doesn't exist, but believe me, just reading several posts a day on any board proves it is alive and well.

The difference between those of us who live it and those of us who don't is we have learned to know it exists but override it. Raising an African American male in Georgia and explaining things that no mother should EVER have to explain to their child brings it to my life more times than I need to. I have to teach him to ignore the name calling, the stares, the rejection and rise WAY above it. Yes, this IS 2004.

More than ANYTHING I wish I didn't have to do this, but when the situation comes up I have to had instilled it in him from before he ever heard it.

My son watches the Cosby Show in syndication everyday. He is his hero. What Cosby is saying is that we as PARENTS have the responsibility to lead our children to what matters. To quote him we need to promote "Parent Power". It worked for my parents and I intend to have it work for my child.

As for the AXE it drives me insane also. I only heard it once from a co-worker and it just STUNNED me. This has to be a regional mispronunciation.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Originally posted by Robinrs
Racism EXISTS, whether we want to put up a blinder to it or not.

The difference between those of us who live it and those of us who don't is we have learned to know it exists but override it.

I certainly hope that you aren't asserting that "white people" don't experience racism.

 

[snoopy]

Off topic, slightly, but Robin I wanted to address your points.

Rather than overt racism like you described, with finger pointing and namecalling, I believe racism exists too, but its much more underlying, at least in this area. I totally agree that unless you live it, you might not be aware of its existence. I got a little taste of racism and stereotyping when I was falsely arrested years ago. My crack addict cousin got ahold of my social security number and went on to steal my identity. Long story short, she committed a bunch of felony crimes using my name, and I was arrested for it. While my experience certainly wasn't a pleasant one, I was treated pretty fairly -- I was able to convince the police to research the matter a little further, to let me go before a commissioner before putting me in a holding cell or staying overnight. I'm absolutely convinced that if I were a young black male that would not have been the case. The police made a judgement call based on the fact that I was a 30-something white woman driving a nice/newer car. The young black guy that was falsely arrested would not have had that same benefit, regardless of how he presented himself, I'm sure of that. I've had extensive discussions with people of color on this issue, its very subtle, but racism does exist when you are young and black and male, whether we want to admit it or not.

 

[Pongo69]

Originally posted by snoopy
My lily white nephews have been speaking "gangsta" for years now, so do all their friends who are of all races. They also dress the part. Its not limited to black youth, at least not here in the melting pot of Washington D.C. I am glad someone as prominent as Bill Cosby spoke out about it, its truly a fad I wish would go away!

Snoopy, I'm another one who wish the gangsta rap/thug life mentallity would go away. I know each generation is different, but I've never seen the humor in a man referring to a woman as a "bit** or ho*" regardless of color

As far as the clothing, why any young man would want to wear clothes hanging off their butts is beyond me. I see this in all races which has me wondering how in the heck do these young men keep their pants from falling down

ON a serious note, I think alot of parents need to realize children soak up every word coming from their mouths like a thirsty sponge.
I also believe the biggest mistake a parent can make is trying to be their child's "friend". Some might dissagree, but I think in this day and age you can't be on your child's level and be the parent/disciplinarian at the same time.

Some people might say this is wrong (for each his own), but in my book I believe a parent should be the strong force parent first and the friendship should come second to a certain extent with limitations.

Again this is only my opinion

 

[shortbun]

I think the Ebonics issue is cultural not regional. I personally don't mind the talk but I think I understand the point Dr. Cosby was
trying to make. I am not African American so my opinion is really
irrelevant. I think he made that clear as well. To each his own.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I'm African-American and I can't begin to agree with Bill more. He hit it all right on the head and I'm so glad he said it!! It's all I can do to not go ballistic when I hear black youths call each other n----- this and n----- that!! If it's not okay for the white man to call them that, they it shouldn't be okay for the black man to do it!!!

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Pongo69
As far as the clothing, why any young man would want to wear clothes hanging off their butts is beyond me. I see this in all races which has me wondering how in the heck do these young men keep their pants from falling down

why do parents let their kids dress this way..???

My teenage stepson started wearing the baggy pants with no belt.. hebent over revealing his boxers...

he was given 3 options..
1.wear your pants like a man
2. I will grab your boxers and pull them up so quickly and so far that it'll take days for you to remove them.
3. If you don't want to wear your pants like a man I'll take you shopping for some skirts and dresses...LOL...

he asked me to buy him a belt...

smart boy.....

 

[grinningghost]

He is right on the money. I've always admired this man for his humor and intelligence. I hope he keeps on talking.

 

[kellyb2000]

Originally posted by MICKEY88


he was given 3 options..
1.wear your pants like a man
2. I will grab your boxers and pull them up so quickly and so far that it'll take days for you to remove them.
3. If you don't want to wear your pants like a man I'll take you shopping for some skirts and dresses...LOL...

he asked me to buy him a belt...

smart boy.....

Way to Go!! I love the options he had!

 

[Daydreamer64]

My boys are just 2 of 10 white kids in their school of over 800 kids- racisim is just as bad from any angle- don't assume that the color of one's skin makes the racisim they experience any more or less hurtful then the racisim that another human being might have to live with.

-Our family migrated from Scotland and Norway two generations ago. We were not involved in any of America's history of racisim but you would be surprised how much I hear "your white ancestors...".

We don't have black history month here- we have black history all the time to the point of the exclusion of all other history. Every time my kids are told to do a book report -it is about a Black American. While we live in this neighborhood and all the kids need to know about all history, I believe that the contributions of all races should be covered evenly. America is made up of more than white and black people.

When my 7 year old came home from school last year and said-" why are the white people so dumb Mommy? Don't you know that all the inventions were made by black people?" I told him that people of all races have invented "stuff" but he only hears about the black inventers because that's the majority race here. Our community is a very mixed and diverse one- we don't live in a poor area and we don't promote racism within our family.

Bill hit the nail on the head. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by kellyb2000
Way to Go!! I love the options he had!

I've never hit any of my kids, and never will,

but I do believe in good old fashioned parenting, we are the adults they are the children, it is our job to teach them and prepare them to be adults.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Sort of off topic but does anyone know if this "speech" is part of Cosby's regular routine now?
We're going to see him next month and have wondered if we'll hear some of these wise comments..........

 

[snoopy]

I've never hit any of my kids, and never will,

but I do believe in good old fashioned parenting, we are the adults they are the children, it is our job to teach them and prepare them to be adults.

Well, I can't speak for all kids, but I can say that the nephews I referred to that are white and speak gangsta, don't have a father to give them those options. All they have is an overworked grandmother who raised her own kids and due to unfortunate circumstances of a drug addicted child is now left to raise her grandsons. They don't have that sort of "guidance" that you've described. I'd venture to guess it has some impact on why they dress and talk "gangsta".

 

[orvilleair]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionGeek
Sort of off topic but does anyone know if this "speech" is part of Cosby's regular routine now?
We're going to see him next month and have wondered if we'll hear some of these wise comments..........

I would say yes. Dayton had him for a night earlier this year as a result of a local college raising scholarship money. He echoed a lot of the statements said in the original post. Some people weren't expecting his social commentary. Although many agreed with him, some were disappointed in the lack of comedy.

Bill Cosby is hilarious. I saw his "Himself" special on HBO many moons ago, and he's brilliant. Still smiling at his pregnancy/lamaze bit. I would put that special near the top of the shows I've seen live/tv/album.

"whistle,whistle push push"

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by Boston Tea Party
I certainly hope that you aren't asserting that "white people" don't experience racism.

If you consider yourself in the "those of you who DON'T" category then I guess you don't.

I have no clue what your life is like, I'm just explaining why I made the statement. Ignorance, which is the highest component of racism, exists on all sides and all levels. It's bad no matter what.

daydreamer64, your story is amazing. It happens to so many people too often. No matter what it makes no sense.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by snoopy
Well, I can't speak for all kids, but I can say that the nephews I referred to that are white and speak gangsta, don't have a father to give them those options. All they have is an overworked grandmother who raised her own kids and due to unfortunate circumstances of a drug addicted child is now left to raise her grandsons. They don't have that sort of "guidance" that you've described. I'd venture to guess it has some impact on why they dress and talk "gangsta".

recent studies have shownthe importance of a father figure in the upbringing of kids..especially with young males.. as males go thru puberty they go thru the alpha male syndrome..they will push the limits to see how far they can go..

without a good role model, young males look up to pro athletes,,rappers, rock stars etc.


both mother and father play important roles in raising balanced children.. a direct correlation has been found between fatherless households and crime ..crime is also higher among young males who have a father ,{that doesn't take an active part in their lives }living in the houshold

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I applaud Mr. Cosby. EVERYTHING he said is that absolute truth.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by Daydreamer64
My boys are just 2 of 10 white kids in their school of over 800 kids- racisim is just as bad from any angle- don't assume that the color of one's skin makes the racisim they experience any more or less hurtful then the racisim that another human being might have to live with.

-Our family migrated from Scotland and Norway two generations ago. We were not involved in any of America's history of racisim but you would be surprised how much I hear "your white ancestors...".

We don't have black history month here- we have black history all the time to the point of the exclusion of all other history. Every time my kids are told to do a book report -it is about a Black American. While we live in this neighborhood and all the kids need to know about all history, I believe that the contributions of all races should be covered evenly. America is made up of more than white and black people.

When my 7 year old came home from school last year and said-" why are the white people so dumb Mommy? Don't you know that all the inventions were made by black people?" I told him that people of all races have invented "stuff" but he only hears about the black inventers because that's the majority race here. Our community is a very mixed and diverse one- we don't live in a poor area and we don't promote racism within our family.

Bill hit the nail on the head. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Wow! Excellent post.....and quite thought provoking, no?

 

[Pongo69]

Originally posted by MICKEY88
why do parents let their kids dress this way..???

My teenage stepson started wearing the baggy pants with no belt.. hebent over revealing his boxers...

he was given 3 options..
1.wear your pants like a man
2. I will grab your boxers and pull them up so quickly and so far that it'll take days for you to remove them.
3. If you don't want to wear your pants like a man I'll take you shopping for some skirts and dresses...LOL...

he asked me to buy him a belt...

smart boy.....

Mickey it would be nice if parents who let their kids dress like this stood firm, but sadly some parents feel their babies should be let loose to do whatever they want , wear whatever they want to wear and say whatever they want to say.