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June 24, 2004
On the mark
The controversy over Bill Cosby’s recent
remarks continues to rage. Those who support Cosby’s views
are inspired by his courage to condemn unequivocally the destructive
behavior of some blacks. Others believe that his criticisms should
have been mitigated by a condemnation of the racial oppression
of white society.
At a NAACP Legal Defense Fund observance of the 50th anniversary
of Brown v. Board of Education, Cosby is reported to have said,
“These people marched and were hit in the face with rocks
to get an education and now we’ve got these knuckleheads
walking around …”
In further comments critical of their inability to speak standard
English he said, “I can’t even talk the way these
people talk, ‘why you ain’t’ ‘where you
is’ … and I blamed the kid until I heard the father
talk. Everyone knows it’s important to speak English except
these knuckleheads. You can’t be a doctor with that kind
of crap coming out of your mouth.”
Cosby was also tough on black criminals. He reportedly said about
black inmates, “These people are not political prisoners
… people getting shot in the head over a piece of pound
cake … we’re outraged (and say) ‘the cops shouldn’t
have shot him.’ What the hell was he doing with the pound
cake in his hand?”
Probably without expecting to do so, Cosby has drawn a line in
the sand. Because of his celebrity Cosby’s remarks have
gained more publicity than usual. Now every African American must
decide whether there is any conduct which blacks must condemn
without reservation.
The usual practice is to characterize the deviant as a victim
of America’s racial discrimination. It is as though no African
American is regarded as having the strength of moral character
to do the right thing because of the deforming influence of racial
discrimination. Some African Americans have a very negative opinion
of their own race.
Older blacks certainly understand Bill Cosby’s dismay. Racial
discrimination in the 1940s, 50s and 60s was almost impenetrable.
Blacks were not permitted to play on professional sports teams
until Jackie Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers
in 1947. There were no blacks in professional or top management
positions on Wall Street or in major corporations. The appointment
of a black to a major government post was the cause of national
celebration in black communities.
In those days the criminal justice system offered little protection
to African American citizens. As the brutal murder of Emmet Till
will attest, whites in the South could lynch blacks with impunity.
In many places blacks had little chance of prevailing against
white defendants in a civil suit.
Despite such circumstances African Americans bravely confronted
bigotry to create opportunities for themselves and their progeny.
Although they had to confront racial discrimination daily, blacks
comported themselves with dignity and spoke respectfully to one
another. In many cities it was not uncommon for those in the black
community to keep their doors unlocked. They could walk the streets
without fear of one another.
Now for many blacks the problem is no longer societal bigotry
but one another. Students do not work hard in school and the slightest
disagreement quickly becomes a capital offense. Such conduct is
disgraceful and apologists for such behavior disrespect the majesty
of black potential.
Bill Cosby is right!
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