Come on People, No, Come on Cosby

Comedian Bill Cosby is the walking and now writing proof of the ancient adage that good intentions can go terribly awry. That's never been more painfully true than in Cosby's latest tome, Come On People. Cosby and his publisher boast that the book is a big, brash, and provocative challenge to black folk to get their act together. That's got him ga ga raves, and an unprecedented one hour spin job on Meet the Press. In the book, Cosby harangues and lectures, cobbles together a mesh of his trademark anecdotes, homilies, and personal tales of woe and success, juggles and massages facts to bolster his self-designated black morals crusade. Stripped away it's the same stock claim that blacks can't read, write or speak coherent English, and are social and educational cripples and failures.

Since Cosby's much touted tirade at the NAACP confab a few years back, and on countless talk shows, and at community gatherings, he has succeeded marvelously in getting the tongues of blacks wagging furiously and their fingers jabbing relentlessly at each other's alleged mountainous defects. They stumble over themselves to hail Cosby as the ultimate truth-giver.

He isn't. While Cosby is entitled to publicly air black America's alleged dirty laundry, there's more myth than dirt in that laundry. Some knuckleheads in black neighborhoods do kill, mug, peddle dope, are jobless untouchables, and educational wastrels. They, and only they, should be the target of wrath. But Cosby makes a Grand Canyon size leap from them to paint a half-truth, skewed, picture of the plight of poor blacks and the reasons and prescriptions for their plight. The cornerstone of Cosby myth-making is that they are crime prone, educational losers, and teen baby making machines.

Here are two choice Cosby whoppers from the opening pages of the book:

"There are whole blocks with scarcely a married couple, whole blocks without responsible black males"

This is a big, sweeping unsupported by any survey, stats, or factual data to back it up. And:

"The problems start early for black boys, and we can all see it. Call it ADHD or learning differences. Young black males can act up a Level 5 storm in class."

Here's another big unsubstantiated statement and there's those broad brush indicting words "all" see it" (who is all?); "young black males" (all young black males?); and they act up a level 5 storm (all black males are disruptive in class?)

The heart wrenching and much played up news shots and specials of black-on-black blood-letting in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and a handful of other big cities and the admission that blacks do have a much higher kill rate than young whites tell a tale of out-of-control, lawless blacks. The truth: homicides and physical assaults have plunged among black teens to the lowest levels in the past two decades. The rate of drug use among young blacks is no higher than among young whites. Blacks are more likely to be arrested, convicted and imprisoned than young whites who if arrested at all are more likely to get drug rehab, counseling, and treatment referrals, probation or community service. This horribly distorts the racial crime picture.

Then there is the black teen girls as baby making machine myth. The truth: the teen pregnancy rate among black girls has sharply dropped during the past decade. And they continue to fall.

The biggest myth that young blacks empty out the public schools, fill up the jails and cemeteries, and ridicule learning as acting white has risen to urban legend rank. The truth: the U.S. Dept. of Education found that in the decades since 1975, more blacks had enrolled in school, had improved their SAT scores by nearly 200 points and had lowered their dropout rate significantly. It also found that one in three blacks attended college, and that the number of blacks receiving bachelors and masters degrees had nearly doubled. A survey of student attitudes by the Minority Student Achievement Network, an Illinois-based educational advocacy group in 2002 and confirmed in other surveys, found that black students were as motivated, studied as hard, and were as serious about graduating as whites.

Cosby publicly bristles at criticism that he takes the worst of the worst behavior of some blacks and publicly hurls that out as the warped standard of black America. Cosby says that he does not mean to slander all, or even most blacks, as derelict, laggards and slackers. Yet that's precisely the impression he gives and the criticism of him for it is more than justified. Even the book title, Come on People: On the Path from Victims to Victors (a hint they're all losers) conveys that smear.

He did not qualify or provide a complete factual context for his blanket indictment of poor blacks. He made the negative behavior of some blacks a racial rather than an endemic social problem. In doing so, he did more than break the alleged taboo against publicly airing racial dirty laundry; he fanned dangerous and destructive stereotypes.

This is hardly the call to action that can inspire and motivate underachieving blacks to improve their lives. Instead, it further demoralizes those poor blacks who are doing the best to keep their children and themselves out of harm's way, often against towering odds, while still being hammered for their alleged failures by the Cosby's within and without their communities. Worse, Cosby's blame-the-victim slam does nothing to encourage government officials and business leaders to provide greater resources and opportunities to aid those blacks that need help.

Come on People, intended or not, continues to tar the black communities and the black poor as dysfunctional, chronic whiners, and eternally searching for a government hand-out. Come on, Cosby.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His new book is The Latino Challenge to Black America: Towards a Conversation between African-Americans and Hispanics (Middle Passage Press).

Comments

[RoganFerguson]

It is hard to speak the truth about black youth culture in America, because the truth often sounds racist. I live in South Central Los Angeles, and I have professional ties to Jefferson High, a traditionally black high school that has become increasingly Hispanic in the last decade. Truancy in general is a huge problem at this inner-city school, but in no other population is the problem so acute as it is with young black men and women. A disproportionate number of truant students are black. Whatever else might help solve this problem, Cosby's emphasis on personal responsibility and education ring true, and if taken to heart would make significant strides in dealing with truancy. Truancy IS disproportionately a black problem. Trying to dilute or mitigate that fact distracts from solutions.

[uheardme]

"IS disproportionately a black problem."

Can you provide a link? Please cite your source.

[deleweye]

To the extent your conclusion is valid, might it be that they've had more generations to be conditioned into "why bother"?

[Mack20]

School vouchers!!

[RealBlackGirl]

The problem with Mr. Cosby's over generalization is that he does not and never had made as loud a case for the institutional racism that remains to be an obstacle in our community. I was struck by something he said on Meet the Press. He stated, "We use to know how to protect our women and our babies." That statement may be true, but that was prior to integration. Now we send our children to schools where 70-90% of the staff our white and their expectations for our children are too low to even discuss. Let's have a discussion of the impact of 12 years of low expectations on the psyche of a child. Now that would be provocative.

[maddogbitesback]

Since Bill Cosby is a black, intelligent, well educated black man he knows it is a generalization. However just because he generalizes doesn't mean what he says is not generally true. In fact, when black children are integrated into white schools versus white children into black schools, blacks almost always do much better. Maybe they have better teachers. Maybe they have to prove themselves but studies show they do better when integrated into white schools. Low expectations is exactly what he is talking about. Black parents and teachers have low expectations too often. They demand little of themselves and little of the school. I very much doubt that Bill Cosby is asserting blacks are incapable. What he is saying is what Oprah Winfrey said. Black parents have to demand more of themselves and of the educators. a brief look at the Boston Grammar School shows that race is not the problem. Blacks were admitted with lower scores. Asians had to compete on a level playing ground with whites. Asians were doing fine and blacks struggling and failing. Blacks didn't have the prep or the parental demands. A black teacher who had her class reading Chaucer in grade five said praise and expectation was all it took. Blacks have to demand their children get the praise and be expected to excel. They excel in sports because they know they can exceed whites by practicing all the time. The same goes for math, reading and science. Cosby is right. Blacks have to get going on their own and overcome the belief instilled in them that they don't need to or can't excel in education and social skills. Whites can't do it but blacks can and must do it for their children - demand better, harder programs and follow through by seeing that their children do their homework and go to the museum with them. Whatever works.

[Mack20]

The fact that 80% of the teachers are white is not the problem. Nearly that same % are left wing liberals that treat every minority as a victim. If our educators would instruuct from a positive viewpoint and attempt to teach the subject and not preach the ills of society, a young mind may have a better outlook on life.

Liberals have had a monopoly with public education long enough. After years of bloating budgets and tenured teachers, the results have been a total disaster.

[JimR]

I think you are missing his point, which is that many black people are not asserting control over the things they can control. And for many people, that is making a bad situation worse.

[andyboy]

"There are whole blocks with scarcely a married couple, whole blocks without responsible black males"

Have you been to Cleveland Mr. Hutchinson?

[nihilon x]

My biggest problem with all of this is that it still plays directly into racism.

We still speak divisively of one another, as if the problems of the "African"-American community are not the problems of the American community as a whole.

Just shows how far we still have to go -- not as African-Americans, but as Americans, period.

[jhill3rd]

Very true.

[RoganFerguson]

On the contrary, I think the public interest is served by recognizing the unique contributions of our various subcultures. I grew up in Montana, and knew only three black people in my entire youth. Now I live in South Central Los Angeles, and most of my friends are black and Hispanic. I see and appreciate the differences in our respective cultures. Emphasizing these positive contributions instills pride and appreciation. The flipside of being honest about the many wonderful contributions of our nations subcultures is that we need to be equally honest about our various failings. Failing to recognize the unique contributions and needs of our many different communities is dishonest, and will ultimately fail to address problems. Cosby takes pride in black culture, but he also recognizes some of the culture's shortcomings. That is the kind of honesty that can get stuff done.

[nihilon x]

"On the contrary, I think the public interest is served by recognizing the unique contributions of our various subculture­s."

This isn't about "positive" contributions -- this is about national problems. I don't anywhere here where Cosby is taking "pride" in black culture; if his critique were more even handed then your point might have more validity.

You're right -- it is "dishnonest" to paint a picture of a black community on the verge of ruin, and not likewise point out that many of us -- like myself -- finish college, don't commit crimes, and don't blame the "white man" for all of our problems.

When I see him telling both sides of the story, then I'll agree with you.

As it stands, he's just another rich man condemning the poor -- black or not.

[Stirner]

Philadelphia has a population of 1.5 million. 66,000 are African Americans males between the ages of 15-29. That's about 4% of the population. In the last five years about 5,000 have been killed. That's about 52% of the homicides. Check the web on this. Maybe Cosby has a point.

[1will]

Your facts and statistics have no power here. This is The Huffingtonpost.

[Jonni Rae]

Is this a case of blame the messenger? As for reenforcing stereotypes, the stereotype is already deeply embedded in American culture: "Blacks are stupid, violent, criminals without parents or interest in anything productive. They belong in jail or dead." The damage has been done; the media has seen to that, for PROFIT. The kids are the victims. They need PARENTS and ADULTS to guide them, and the knowledge that it is going to be harder for them, because they are already stereotyped by a country which doesn't ever even think about them as real people. There is plenty of blame to go around, but it won't change the fate of that kid, just like your kid, who needs help, support, guidance, protection and hope. Cosby is merely saying what the community already knows. Discipline. Sacrifice. Courage. Commitment. Let's get started.

[NABNYC]

Bill Cosby is terrific. He has pursued his own education, and committed himself to trying to help others.

Cosby is asking black americans to open their eyes to the horrible effects on the black community of certain developments in recent decades: drugs, guns, disparate arrest and prison time for black males, continued failing schools at a time when manufacturing jobs (the previous means for blacks to rise into the middle class) are disappearing. The forces at work in the black community are creating a form of genocide, similar to that found on the native american reservations.

And where is the black leadership? Al Sharpton is almost alone in taking a leadership role on issues that mostly affect black Americans. Where is everyone else?

There are national forces at work which are destroying blacks in America. Drugs, guns, violence, worship of "bling," unemployment, imprisonment, poor education are not isolated to Detriot or Oakland. They are increasingly common in all lower-income communities in the U.S. The rich get richer, the poor get guns and drugs.

Try getting a group of people together to demand improvements in the school when half the moms and dads are drug addicts, alcoholics, unemployed, and/or in prison. Good luck.

The black community is not enslaved by chains, but certainly drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, unemployment, men not acting as fathers, all contribute to the destruction of black americans.

Cosby is telling the black community to wake up, turn off the TV, change the diet, start exercising, get involved in the schools, and make an effort to save the community. I think his warning is timely and it is unfortunate that some people will attack him as the messenger.

[kpod]

"Cosby is telling the black community to wake up, turn off the TV, change the diet, start exercising, get involved in the schools, and make an effort to save the community.­"

Sounds like good advice for anyone, regardless of race, eh?

[nihilon x]

"Sounds like good advice for anyone, regardless of race, eh?"

Exactly.

It'll be a wonderful day in this county when we start seeing this as an American issue, and not just a "black" issue.

[uheardme]

I agree with Cosby. He should take his own advice. If he was a better husband, he would not have fathered possibly two children outside of his marriage. If he was a better father, perhaps his daughter would not have become a drug addict.

In addition to this, drugs, family breakdown, degenerate behavior is not limited to poor Blacks. White people should wake up. We have hundreds if not thousands of stories everyday of some white guy molesting children, soliciting sex in a restroom, distributing child porn, killing and raping women and children. Let's not begin to mention the number of threads on this website of the latest white celebrity having a child out of wedlock or appearing in homemade porn. I'm for cleaning up the culture, the whole of American culture.

[acanthus]

When it really comes down to it, Cosby doesn't give a damn about the prople he's railing at. He's using them to exercise (not exorcise) his own demons. He's really pretty creepy, and becoming creepier all the time. Not mention stunningly hypocritical.

[deleweye]

What Cosby, you and others conveniently forget is that the conditions that produce dysfunctional adolescents weren't created solely by the "black community", and can't be solved solely by the "black community".

Rare individuals of any group will exceed the expectations of their backgrounds, whether they grow up in South Central or South Dogpatch. But the majority of children who grow up seeing nothing but defeat, discrimination and desperation will need help in even believing that it can be any different for them.

That's a human response to negative stress; it is our failing as a society that so many people with dark skins have to demonstrate it for us.

[Mack20]

A lot of these conditions were and are perpetuated by white and black liberal politicians creating class envy with the worn out "tax cuts for the rich" theme. Anyone in the minority, no matter which, is portrayed as a victim and promised hope with dead end government programs that reward inaction rather than pro-action.

The dirty little secret is that Democrats would rather "keep the black man down" and buy his vote than risk losing government control through less personal reliance.

[tbone99]

Why don't you wake up to what 's left after working a coupla jobs,the neighborhoods not safe to walk in,you're glad you have a tv to keep your kids safe inside and the only grocery store is a convenience store that sells chips and beer. Jerky for dinner anyone? And maybe
when you go into the student teacher conference you got someone who has no clue how hard you work just to survive but doesn't let that stop them from passing judgement on your "choices".

[nowaterboardUSA]

I think no matter what race you are, if you look at modern day America and see all the corruption, lies, problems and then want to rebel or walk away from it is a sign of good mental functioning in my opinion.

I think adults need to stop confusing teen culture of any racial/cultural strip with criminality and reach out to kids in ways they understand and find interesting. Introduce them to Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, Rage Against The Machine and discuss the issues that arise. Let them know knowledge can be power and can exist beyond the simpleton paradigm of conservati­ve/liberal­.

[nihilon x]

Thank you and all the other posters here who are pointing out that this isn't just about the "black" community -- this is about the American community as a whole.

It shouldn't take white kids dressing and talking like gang members to make people realize that this problem is not just a "black" problem.

When white kids shoot up schools, people address it as an American issue, not a "white" issue.

Let's lose the double standards and address these issues united, rather than divided.

[acanthus]

Well, I'm black, and I have begun to address it as a white issue. I'm beginning to dish out what I get.

[jhill3rd]

Great points.

[jeaton]

nowaterboard nails it! Well said.

[metamorphosis]

Another great response.

[desertdweller]

Bill's heart is in the right place. He lost a son, and if anything, he understands that life is precious. I just wish someone would would express similar concern about young white trash.

[Miamiman]

This book is very good. It is about taking responsibility for yourself instead of blaming everyone else.

[schnick444]

I think you are reading his message wrong....a­s an african american, I appreciate that he is forcing us to look at ourselves as a community and take some responsibility for 'our' children. The government can't solve this for us, it needs to begin with our communities and neighborhoods. We need to teach our neighbors to devote more time and attention to their kids lives at school and at home. Let's try and look at this call to action in a positive light instead of shooting the messenger!

[ufcfanvt]

Please make your voice heard on this issue as much as possible. If 1/2 of black people spoke and believed what you just wrote, there wouldn't be a problem.

[nihilon x]

Please -- black people say this every damn day.

In church, in private, at work, in comedy routines, at funerals -- everywhere. There probably isn't a race around that isn't more critical of black people than black people...e­ven to the point where its acceptable to call one another "n*gga" because that's how some black people think of themselves.

Anyone can "talk" about a problem -- what's needed is focus and action.

Its not about the government "solving" anything, but in a nation where black kids are locked up for doing and selling drugs while white kids get drunk, high, and stoned with impunity and never see a day in a jail cell, obviously there IS some governmental responsibility to address these issues as well.

[acanthus]

There wouldn't be a problem in what sense? As nihilon says, black people have been saying this sort of think for years. However, to get back to my point, if a black man with a college degree is less likely to get a job than a white man without one, there's still a problem. If a black man who hasn't been to jail is less likely to get a job than a white ex-con, then there's still a problem. The rate of drug use among young blacks is lower than that of young whites, yet young black go to jail more often for it. That's a problem that wouldn't go away if the rate of black drug use were to plunge. You have NO idea what the mass of black people speak and believe.

[Alvin4NY]

Cosby's plight is not that difficult to understand, and neither is the one you are expressing. Both are valid. What I think Mr. Cosby is trying to get across, is that many people can't even find the courage or will to accomplish the basics each day. There is a pervasive attitude out there of "Why bother.." and it shows everywhere you look. (and I mean that for white, asian, mexican, black, etc.) Cosby is just speaking up for his side of the street, so to speak. You have to shower, you have to get proper rest, you have to eat healthy, you have to be respectful, and dedicated, to yourself and others. The basics that get you in the door, of where you need to be. We're instructed by the media what should be important, and when the lead stories are all scandals of the rich and famous, and this is where we put our concerns, it's no wonder kids would worry more about X-Box, I-Pods, MySpace, and all the other crap. The guards at the gate (PARENTS) are asleep, or are wrapped up in the same consumerism that allows them to misplace priorities. Shit rolls down hill onto the kids. Somewhere along the way somebody has to put their foot down, and say STOP! He's got a big foot, and a huge platform. Leave him alone. Someone needs to say it.

[Boris]

If this had been written by a European-American, Al Sharpton would already be at the door.

Is Cosby telling the truth or is he exaggerating to make a point? Is this written to get middle class African-Americans angry, angry at those who are 'bringing down' the rest of black America?

Somehow, admittedly, this diatribe by Cosby reinforces views of Nordic-Eur­o-American­s that African-Americans are, by nature, underachievers.

There is a similar view on the Reservatio­n... It is called, 'acting white.' Kids who go away to play sports at college soon come home and fall into old ways or risk losing family respect. Success in the world is seen as caving in to 'whiteness­.' Becoming a lawyer is 'acting white.' Becoming a teacher is 'acting white.' I hear this every day on the reservation I live on.

I don't think Cosby's book is aimed at White America...­it is aimed at 'white' middle class African-Americans to get them to do more to improve what is seen as the 'black community.­'
One thing Cosby said has been accepted as truth; that families without fathers usually produce unproductive sons. Is it true? I don't know because the few African-Americans I know have come from families with Dads.

[andyboy]

It's considered "white" to be a good student in many predominantly black public schools.

[jhill3rd]

Completely untrue. Where do you get your asumption from?

[suki21693]

It is considered "geeky" to be a good student in many predominantly white public schools.

[nihilon x]

I didn't have a father figure for much of my life and I turned out fine.

The main issues are ENVIRONMENT and POVERTY, which often lead to hopelessness and criminal behavior.

Yes, fatherless homes are an issue, but I never heard of anyone growing up to be a criminal just because they didn't have a father in the home.

[Average]

You know I agree with Cosby. BUT, I think it applies equally to WHITE teenagers too. I'm white and I see it in white teenagers too.

[frank438]

I'm a little confused on this issue. We have been told by writers like you that the Bush administration hated all blacks and wanted nothing to do with them. Now by your admission it seems that blacks in this country and under the Bush 'regime' are actually doing quite well for themselves.
Let's hear it for No Child Left Behind no matter what skin color.
Of course, Cosby has been saying this for years,
maybe his message was heard and people agreed.
We can't give any credit though, because if we
as individuals can improve on our own and without govt assistance it would put liberals out of power.
Mr. Cosby, keep on doing your thing.

[jhill3rd]

Sad. Sorry Frank438, but you missed the point of what Mr. Hutchinsen is saying completely. What does "no child left behind" or the Bush Administration have to do with this?

[deleweye]

I think Mr. Hutchinson is saying that blacks are doing better than Mr. Cosby implies, in spite of the Bush Administration.

[TurnThePageGA]

Cosby is not saying that Government has no part in this. But is making the point that those things that we need to take responsibility for the things that we can do. And regardless of what Ofari says, most us, even in poor neighborhoods, agree with Cosby. Obama, perhaps a litttle more toned down, has made the same points in speeches at settings of predominantly African-American audiences. We certainly don't need the pandering that we get from some candidates.