Matt, Leonard Pitts' column is due Sunday in the Seattle Times and I loved the way you expressed this as a means of the editors to let HIM address Crosby's frankness, which I think he WILL do, too !

Matt,
Thanks for researching the sources. West Coast ignoring = ignorance. And ditto on Leonard Pitts.

I think Mr. Cosby's comments were right on target but as someone already mentioned they will more than likely not reach the audience that needs it the most. There are so many young parents with no sense of self-worth. Every thing is materialistic. That is until one day they wake up and their children are disrespectable, locked up, or dead, and to top it off they barely have enough money or investments to live. And the worst part is these examples are passed on to their children. Some are so dependent on the system that their daughters actually look forward to this system when they have kids. NOT doing better but the system. And as Mr. Cosby also mentioned, our ancestors fought so hard for us to have the freedom to do and be what we want, and this is what we do with it. Its really sad. Don't get me wrong parenting is by no means easy but you have to at least try. Trust me I know being a single parent of 2 boys in Washington, DC. NO MEANS EASY but I have to try because if I don't there is no one to blame but me.

Thanks Bill Cosby.
Africans who never spoke a word of English come to the US, learn the language, excel in school, and turn out to be productive citzens. On the other hand, Most Afro-Americans can't speak simple correct English or even take interest in pursueing their education.It hurts me so much to see that the efforts of Martin Luther Kings and other Civil Right fighters going down the drain.
The truth is bitter, Please wake up.

Gloria

Thanks Bill Cosby.
Africans who never spoke a word of English come to the US, learn the language, excel in school, and turn out to be productive citzens. On the other hand, Most Afro-Americans can't speak simple correct English or even take interest in pursueing their education.It hurts me so much to see that the efforts of Martin Luther Kings and other Civil Right fighters going down the drain.
The truth is bitter, Please wake up.

Gloria

Thanks Bill Cosby.
Africans who never spoke a word of English come to the US, learn the language, excel in school, and turn out to be productive citzens. On the other hand, Most Afro-Americans can't speak simple correct English or even take interest in pursueing their education.It hurts me so much to see that the efforts of Martin Luther Kings and other Civil Right fighters going down the drain.
The truth is bitter, Please wake up.

Gloria

Too Gloria,

I appreciate your concern and time you took out to comment on this tremendous issue that sickens America. I assume by the way you approached the situation in your statement that your ether white or a black person who more than dislikes his\her kind. I say that because though I'm 100% sure your not contiously prejudice or anything like that, your subcontious approach say's otherwise. For example, most blacks would mean 55% or more dont speak good english. Definite insult to black people, why, because its not true, and a painful reality that whites actually believe only what they choose too and hear about blacks. For Example: CHANNEL 5 NEWS. I, as an educated black man and very open and considerate of other peoples upbringing or as I refer to it: their un-bringing or pre-adulthood miseducation, can understand that your example of a black person is an inner city male with gold teeth who cant speak proper english, or a inner city women with five kids.. I could go on about the similarities of the ghetto and the trailer parks but it doesnt matter, this isnt a spitting contest. I cant blame you because you cant help who you are, you were born into a world were whitness is key. The problem with whites overall whether they realize it or not is that they are not aware of their whitness. You view yourself as the standard and all others as an ethnic group and nothing more. I'm sure your a great person, and I would like to recommend that you read a book entitled:"WHITE PREVILEGE" by: PAULA S. ROTHENBERG. It would greatly benifit you and all others you know both black and white. Becuase apparently you haven't read this book. Black people do care, despite the many who dont have a clue. Why dont you venture over to these other discussions and get involved everywhere, if you are infact concerned...
TIP: THINK HUMAN, THINK INDIVIDUALITY, NOT RACE.. WHEN I SEE A WHITE MAN IN A TRAILER, I DONT THINK THE WHOLE RACE, HE'S ONE MAN, SAME GOES FOR A BLACK MAN IN THE GHETTO, OR MEXICAN ON BACK OF A WORK TRUCK... good day.

Amilton

Why am I unable to find a Digital Video of the Bill Cosby speech at the NAACP? It seems that everything about this event has been curiously removed. It is too bad that this will not turn out to be a wake up call, but another buried opinion. Bill Cosby is not just an actor he also holds a Masters Degree in Education awarded in 1972 as well as a PHD in Education awarded in 1977. Is it then a prophecy that all the hard work and blood shed for the rights of the black man will be wasted? I can only hope to increase the number of minor few who have the vision, the exposure to morals, and the drive to education/self attainment equaling PRIDE to enhance the contribution to society which is the core of what makes this country great. God Bless the USA for the OPPORTUNITY to make a great life. It is not a gift, it is not an inheritance. Not using your abilities to their fullest extent and improving the world around you in the greatest crime against GOD

The NAACP and the most prominent black leaders do a disservice to all of America by way of their pathological preoccupation with victimization. They could preach empowerment, but instead preach defeatism.