Where is this "furor" of which you speak? I see more furor in the media headlines attempting to create conflict than in actual responses from black communities. The story is that so many folks are coming to Cos's **defense.**

Molotov, good point. My use of "furor" in my original hed was meant to refer to the headline writers - as you suggest - not Cosby's Chicago audience, which as the item notes, was strongly supportive. Still, if I'm talking about unclear or inaccurate heds, I need to make sure my own is on the mark. Thanks for the observation.

I have to applaud Mr. Cosby's comments. I pray that someone in the Latino community will speak up in the same manner. We suffer from the same disease. We too fail to recognize it. Blacks and we Latino’s are so busy blaming others that we do not recognize the true culprit, ourselves. We have become comfortable with the victim label. His words are for all parents. Let us listen very carefully and take the action required, regardless of the difficulty.

I must admit Mr, Cosby don't need to apologize to no one, i live in a small town outside Houston and it is pathetic. Go Bill!!

I think identifying "the terror of most newspaper editors" as "deeply racist" goes a bit far. Patronizing? Probably. Or they could simply be afraid of outcry from self-appointed civil rights leaders in their communities, and subsequent drop in newspaper sales. The very Jesse Jackson who applauded Cosby has made a career out of scaring businesses into complying with his race-based demands. It's bad that editors are so scared of running a contextual, accurate story about a major entertainer's political views, but they've been conditioned by years of threats to reflexively avoid anything that could arouse race activists.

The main question I have is: Are blacks acting a damn fool because of discrimination or are they discriminated against for acting a damn fool?
I went to Debra Dickerson's site and found several interesting and agreeable comments. She is a black, female writer. I believe Mrs. Dickerson said it best when she said, "If a magic wand ended white racism tomorrow at noon, the black community would not be very much changed at 12:01. White racism doesn’t mug a neighbor at the bus stop, it doesn’t have unprotected sex or drop out of high school. It doesn’t underachieve, it doesn’t give up on the trouble students, it doesn’t give in to hopelessness and settle for a life behind a broom, it doesn’t favor its boys over its girls. It doesn’t refuse to breastfeed, it doesn’t infect fifty per cent of its young with herpes, it doesn’t believe ignorant conspiracy theories or that AIDS is a hoax. It doesn’t watch endless hours of television instead of reading to its children or overseeing their homework or taking them to a cultural event. It matters not at all whether white rates of these same phenomena are higher or lower; all that matters is that they are too high for black comfort. This is not who they want to be. There is work to do and it must be done by black people, however whites behave."
I, a black female, have experienced more discrimination and ridicule from people of my own race rather than people of other races.

Case in point: To Georgette: You said Mr. Cosby "don't need to apologize to no one". I hope you heard or read the part of his speech that that referred to "the way these people talk". He said "...I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk". How well are your children speaking?

I think Cosby's comments were ill-informed. The teen pregnancy rate has significantly dropped. Particularly among blacks. Crime rate has dropped as well. I remember after the "Ebonics" debacle it was clearly displayed that black youth knew the difference between the dialect and "standard" English.

Cosby and the like are ill informed and out of touch. I have worked with low income blacks and they don't spend all of their money on tennis shoes. You think they are buying this stuff at Dillard's? You think they are paying full price?

Stop attacking black youth and stop preaching at so called welfare mothers. I am not so concerned with whites overhearing our dirty laundry. I am concerned that so many blacks buy into the racism. I heard a guy calling into the radio show saying that "these people" should be sterilized since we can't execute them all. They were worthless, etc, etc. It is only a few steps from what Cosby was saying. Only his solution is different.

It is just a way to divide us and it isn't solving anything.

Bill Cosby has been the leavening factor in our home to neutralize a volatile situation whether regarding the behavior of the children or marital relationships. He has a unique ability to qualm the fears of inadequacy by approaching difficulties the each family faces with a humorous perspective that serves to make us feel that we are not alone and that our experiences in living in and raising a family are common to all people. I love him and his family and believe in him unequivocably. His interests lie in helping people see the problem instead of allowing it to perpetuate causing little chance for change for future generations. I feel that he is the most admirable person in the United States. He has taught us how to handle adversity with dignity. God bless you and know you are in my prayers. Blanche

The NAACP changed our laws.
Dr. King changed our behavior.
Dr.Cosby, via. the Cosby Show, changed our feelings.

Bill Cosby says what most black peoples think.

The media is just trying to make money. I see nothing wrong with Dr. Cosby's comments. He came from the background of people he is supposed to be criticizing, so he has earned the right to make his comments. Read his bio before criticizng him, because once you understand where he came from, you can probably appreciate where he is going with his speeches. The White media needs to get a clue and get off Cros' back.

Hi, I noticed you were talking about a sexual health matter. If you'd like to submit your page to SH Directory, please do ;-) (http://www.shdir.com)

In order to change a problem, you have to first acknowledge that there is a problem as well as identify the problem. The black community has been in denial for far too long or they have began a civilization of tending to one's own business. What affects one, affects all. Surely, we realize that by now. We were in such a hurry to be free that we forgot to bring freedom with us-freedom of our minds and hearts. It was like giving birth to a child and saying, make your own way the best way you can. Sadly, many parents I see on a daily basis are doing just that. With devotion and determination, we can make these positive changes. This nation promotes individualism but at what cost has that done to America. No one wants to get in the another person's business. This is a tradgedy. Honor those who fought for these privileges by not taking them for granted. Knowing your history prevents its repetition. God will bless us when we realize that we have the power to change. It is there and always has been. It is the little things that make big changes.

i think this is a bunch of bullsh***....the man speaks and then "WHITE "AMeriCA"" tries to use his words against black folk to say what is really on their minds and mouths. It is true that in any society , some degree of difunctionality is expected. How great a degree depends mostly on the quallity of life of those under the radar.AND no mr Cosby the whiteys ar enot to blame, but what great deal have they done to help us get from our butts into society building. We have a president who can't spell CUBA,OIL is the number one thing and finally the jobs that are open to us fast food.Go to any under developed country, the regular pass time is either idling or procreation or drinkig yourself to death.This is because a man does best what he can, drown your sorrows best way you know how. This is evident by the mare fact i used to go toa Historicaly black college where Bill was a major contributor. I graduated in a class of about 500 students. MOst of my friends have gotten jobs at resturants, the mall and fast foods.Is that our fate after even Bill as invested in our interests. All the hard work to end up in job that you can get with or without a GED. Does it mean that HBC's do not provide the quallity education as white colleges. Am sorry if ai disagree, but i have seen it first hand. my brother is a gradute of Penn,summa cum, triple major and has not landed a job in the past three years. Isn't he cut out for white amreica. Yes the whiteys are not to blame, but there has to be someone controlling the fate of a society and that responsibity is not in our hands,it is too"sensitive" for ignorant monkeys to help"...words of a white republican and i can give a name. Wake up can smell the cuppachinno, we will never be equal, we shall never be allowed, we shal be slaves in this country kingdom come, point blank. the white man has never intended to share equallity, never will share power, because that is how they ride others, just joy riders on peoples backs,leeches bleeding the world dry. I say it , the down fallthis country shall be a white man, that is why mr cosby the lkes of you who are the elite our society cna offer will never make a political impact in our society as you have as entertainers.We are but dancing uncle Toms for life. Get it in your system.Stop blaming tha black man,everyone blames him, we thought he was going to get some sluk from you Bill. But we love you ,and we know you mean well.But don't give the whitey the ammo to shot us, you are shoting us all in the leg. we are a people misunderstood and misjudged. We need closure in this issue, but we shall never get there because closure means losing power, and the whiteys "ain't "about to do that.(i did not check for spell mistakes, freestyled and my grammeris better than all ya'll motherf*****. i leart it better than you have caclculus.

Dear Mr. Rosenberg,
I can see why you were interested in a response to the comments by "oui". They are inflammatory and unjust. It is this exact animosity that will ultimately reduce the chances of our upcoming youth to achieve upward mobility. Many citizens are suffering severe financial upset especially after the World Trade disaster. It is not fair to keep beating the old drum that it is because of the color of our skin. At this time it is important that all citizens of these United States stand together to fight the issues that weaken us. We are fighting a different enemy now and to revert to the past is self defeating which is the point that Mr. Cosby is trying to make. I have worked with juveniles in the court system and it breaks my heart to see the recidivism rate and the hopelessness these children live with because they lack direction on how to pursue success. This is not limited to any one race. That is where "oui" is missing the point. Unless the adults in each family take responsibility for their own actions and teach their children well this vicious cycle will repeat itself regardless of race, color, or creed. When Mr. Cosby speaks all people listen. He is a self made man who has suffered the worst adversity any parent could undergo yet has maintained his dignity and his ability to fight the good fight. His efforts to push society to correct the wrongs that are perpetuating the negativity prevalent in society today are inspiring because he is in a unique position to effect positive change and is using it for the greater good. God Bless him and again I will always pray that he is able to maintain his devotion and strength to leave this world the better for his passing which is his objective.
Blanche

It's easier to blame others than take responsibility for ones actions. Look no further than the Middle East to see the end result. As Cosby watches the rapid rise of fundamentalist Islam is his culture, which is the wife beating, kill then blame others variety of Islam, he fears this take no prison of responsibly trend of left and right wing extremists, will lead to the ultimate suicidal, homicidal and genocidal death of his culture.

By the way, when was the last time you heard or saw an Arab extremist take responsibility for his actions – or anything for that matter? Post a reply if you have.

Nice read. Keep it going. Spiderfriend333

As a black man that has been a witness first hand to many of the issues Mr. Cosby was addressing, I believe that until we as black people decide to honestly look in the mirror the same social problems will repeat as a vicious cycle. I am a firefighter and in this job I enter the homes of people almost every third day of my life. I've been in the homes of those little girls having babies.I've performed CPR on too many young black kids that bought into the thug life style. All Mr. Cosby is saying as I understand it, is if the parents of the large growing group of black people in America do not take a stand and start being more responsible for the up bringing of their kids and if these kids don't buy into the idea that being an upstanding honorable person will take them further in life, We will continue to have a hard time living out Dr. King's dream. Although I understand Mr. Cosby's words I still believe that racism exist. But today racism would have less power and bite if black people would realize that if we could stand up together as a united people with the resources and laws that are availble today we could combat that racism while building a stronger foundation for all of us to stand on. This is something I witnessed... A 26 year old grandmother high on crack called 911 because her 13 year old daughter was outside playing and her 3 month old grand baby had a head cold. She wanted us to put her and the baby on our fire truck and drive her around to hunt down the little girl. Now if it is more black people out there that is thinking like Mr. Michael Eric Dyson please forgive him for doing exactly what has always been our down fall. "In fighting which leads to devide and conquer. When a Man like Mr. Cosby stands up and say's I want to help we should first open our ears and listen, open our arms and welcome the help and open our hearts and thank him for caring. Lets face it he could be like many and just sit on his thrown of success and look down on the less fortunate parading his wealth in front of their noses teasing them with " look at what I have, you can't have it. Mr. Cosby speak on, march on and thank you.