Cosby's punchlines aim directly at the hearts of black youngsters

[thedrifter]

Cosby's punchlines aim directly at the hearts of black youngsters
The Memphis Commercial Appeal ^ | December 10, 2006 | Alex Doniach

Comedian talks tough at LeMoyne-Owen

Bill Cosby doesn't sugarcoat his words. The sitcom star, author, comedian and former Jell-O spokesman told a crammed cafeteria at LeMoyne-Owen College Saturday that "the new Ku Klux Klan happens to be us, we're the Ku Klux Klan, and we have not protected our children."

He continued: "Children need confidence and if you don't give it to them, how are they going to know that they can do something?" If Cosby's October visit to Memphis aimed to entertain, his most recent jaunt to town intended to inspire inner-city students.

He spoke on education and personal responsibility to about 400 parents and students at LeMoyne-Owen in a symposium sponsored by Yo! Memphis, a Memphis charter school.

Cosby was joined by author and educator George McKenna and Marguerite LaMotte, a member of the Los Angeles school board.

It was Yo! Memphis' executive director Dr. Marie Milam who called Cosby (they met a few years back) and asked him to talk to Memphis youth. Cosby agreed to speak for free. He also donated planners to the charter school.

Milam said the historically black college was chosen as the speech site because "movements have started here and we're hoping that another movement will start here today."

In 2004 Cosby received some heat for comments he made in Chicago when he said inner-city youth -- which he termed "dirty laundry" -- were "going nowhere."

His blunt style appears not to have changed much over the years. Saturday his critiques, although peppered with humor, were equally biting.

Cosby's first message was delivered to parents and community leaders such as City Councilman Joe Brown and Robert Lipscomb about the role adults play in the success of youth.

Cosby said parents need to take a more active role in their kids' lives, visiting their children's schools and helping with homework.

He then moved into the gymnasium, where he told a few hundred students that education was the only way to avoid flipping burgers or selling drugs.

Adults have become complacent, he said. People rely on the Lord to "make a way" but they've chosen to sit back and not take action.

"People want Jesus to come and cut their grass," he joked.

He also had little patience for youth who mock each other for studying -- bourgeois baiting, as he called it.

"You've got your own people going around telling kids who are studying, 'you're acting white,' " Cosby said, adding that baiting is as old as time, and is no excuse for failure.

"It makes no sense," he said. "I have white friends who tell me they have white children who study and have other kids come up to them and say, 'You're acting Asian.' "

However critical, Cosby's message was received with thunderous applause by star-struck students like Yo! Memphis senior Giovannte Baker, 17.

"Cosby is one of the greatest speakers of our time," Baker said. "The fact that he took the time to come and speak to this group, well, it just makes us feel good."

-- Alex Doniach: 529-5231

Tough Love?

Ellie

[chafas2531]

RIGHT ON!!
SEMPER FIDELIS!
A Heart O'Texas Marine.
ben

[OLE SARG]

It kinda hurts the opportunistic racists, like fatass sharpton and "the leech" jesse jackson, when one of their own color tell them WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR, THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SEMPER FI,

[10thzodiac]

On the news not that long ago, I heard in England the ethnic group most likely to become professionals are the Blacks, over Asians & whites.

From what I understand England never approved of slavery, though some existed for a short while, but was isolated.

[drumcorpssnare]

IMO, sucess or failure has nothing to do with race, color, creed, country of origin, etc. It has everything to do with attitude. Anyone who wishes to suceed in this country, can, with hard work and determination...and a little luck, do pretty well here. There are literally millions of "sucess stories" from people who "pulled themselves up by the bootstraps" over the last 200-plus years.
Those who really want it bad enough, will get it. Those without the desire and attitude to succeed....won't!

drumcorpssnare

[Osotogary]

Cosby's message could just about pertain to anyone. His comments are portrayed as being earmarked for a certain group when they could have easily been earmarked for the populace in general without the reference to race.

[OLE SARG]

10-4 on your post Gary, Cosby's message could apply to everyone. Nothing was said about race, just the racists hiding under rocks.

SEMPER FI,