Cosby's tough love message in Cleveland
Oakwood- Actor and author Bill Cosby challenged members of Greater Cleveland's black community Wednesday to take responsibility for themselves and their children.
"Your dirty laundry is out there. I'm telling you it's time to wash," Cosby told a crowd of several hundred who packed Mount Zion Oakwood Village.
Earlier, he spoke at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland. His tough-love message, mixed with humor, was embraced by the civic, political, educational and religious leaders and laypeople at Mount Zion.
Before his talk, civic leaders pledged to "work toward health care, nutrition, child care, education, housing and other basic needs together that provide a decent standard of living."
The Rev. Marvin McMickle, chairman of United Pastors in Mission, one of the sponsors of the event, reminded the gathering, "We are not here just to see a celebrity. We are here because the celebrity is challenging us to look at ourselves."
And challenge Cosby did, taking on parents who are afraid to discipline their children and adults who would rather look past the ills facing the black community than address them.
"What do you care what white people think?" he asked. "If you did care, there would be no housing projects. We'd have houses. We'd have stores. We'd have banks."
When someone in the choir said, "Watch out," Cosby responded, to applause, "No, I'm not watching out. I'm going to tell it."
Talking about sexual abuse of children, Cosby said, "I'm saying now: Enough. Enough. Protect these children. It's on you. It's on you."
"These kids are lost," Cosby said. "They have no clear idea of the old mantra that used to be put on the youth."
While Cosby criticized poor parenting, the influence of rap music and the mental state of youth with his trademark humor, he also took on those who have criticized his opinions about the state of black America.
"We have so many people saying these people can't do this . . . look at the story of Phillis Wheatley. Look up the story of Frederick Douglass," Cosby said.
Reference:
Cleveland Plain Dealer
www.cleveland.com
I salute bill Cosby no matter what people say. do you know one rapper who will say these things without fear from his record label. Its time to get serious. Haitians come to America and within 4 years 95% of them have college degrees and another 85% have businesses. they are just as black as black Americans so whats the problem? racism isn't holding them back.