foobar says:
Much of the media attention started at a Bill Cosby speech made at the NAACP celebration of the 50th anniversary of Brown vs Department of Education about 3 and 1/2 years ago. On Larry King Live, Bill Cosby framed that speech as a conversation with his people. We didn't see Bill Cosby's views supported by Al Sharpton and others.
To share his vision of hope and personal responsibility, Bill Cosby conducted over 20 Call Outs across America (mainly conducted in the inner cities) in the last 3 and 1/2 years. His recent book, Come On People articulates this vision of hope and personal responsibility which applies not only to the black communities but to all communities.

Answered 1 year, 1 month ago

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LuvMyPeople says:
I think we really have to be careful about generalizations. I am Black and I hardly ever catch BET. I also have never listened to Al Sharpton's radio show. And Oprah being rich has nothing to do with her viewing audience, alot of us watch Oprah!! I saw Bill Cosby on Larry King Live which I watch about once a week if somebody interesting is on. What I'm trying to say is that BET is not the only thing that Black people watch,

Answered 1 year, 1 month ago

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urwututhink says:
Honestly, Al Sharpton and similar figures that "represent" the black community do not always speak or act in the best interest of the black community. There are times where "our black leaders" take stances on certain issues without basing that stance on more substance than just race alone. The context for looking at an issue should not always be race. Sometimes, the politics, economics, or morality of a situation is what should be scrutinized rather than if it were "an issue of race" or discrimination. I am being vague here, but my point is that certain leaders and outlets do not truly reflect the enlightened and empowered tone of what Bill Cosby's mindset provides. I am not saying that racial injustices never occur or that every cause Sharpton has fought for has been out of touch, but I am saying that credbility and progress is hurt when we sound more race,race,race-programmed instead of people who do their homework and get the facts behind an issue before we protest, speak against something, or support a "black leaders" stance.

I know your question was more related to Bill Cosby using Al Sharpton's show, but some of what I just discussed speaks to that question. I am sure Dr. Cosby is looking at the target audiences/demographics of each show as well the format, reputation, and how useful he feels it can be to get his message exposed. Going on "black shows" for the sake of going on a "black show" is more than likely the least of his worries - getting the message out is at the top of the list - I think his show selection reflects that.

Think Differently - RTKZradio.com


Source: http://www.rtkzradio.com
Answered 1 year ago

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dellarae says:
It's a shame that so many people of the black community look down on Oprah and how she choose to do things differently. Yes, she made it and it should be o.k. for her to choice her own way and not be looked down on as a sell out or that only whites or people that want to be white watches her show. The fact is that Oprah is about two steps ahead of the game, she is showing how the world should be and could be diverse, but it's comments like that that is holding the process back. She tries to make a difference in her way and still stay true to her. Not the black community. To her. I see that within her and just because a lot of different cultures reconize that, does'nt make her less black than me or you. Oprah's and Bills blackness is not on trail.
We all need to take a look at what we are doing to keep the separation going. I know a lot of people with different back grounds. The one show that I know that we all can relate to is the Oprah show and her topics. Bill went there maybe because he knows that much and maybe he wasn't just talking about blacks in general, I'am sure there was a lot of good points out of that show that all parents of different back grounds could get out of that. But, the question is, what are we doing and are we doing enough?

Answered 1 year ago

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SCLATeacher says:
1) Oprah shouldn't be part of this discussion period. Yes, she is "rich" but she doesn't speak for the black community as a whole nor does Al Sharpton, Jesse, Dr. Cosby or anyone else. There is no "black leader" that encompasses the whole complex community. There NEVER HAS BEEN... Further, Oprah...should not be put on this Mt. High as if her word is gold.

2) BET is not the be all end all. I believe to address this situation - the "black crisis" one needs to explore as MANY avenues as possible. What other black "leader" do you think can book an hour on Larry King, Meet the Press and Oprah IN THE SAME WEEK? Don't understmate the power of the press to shed light on a problem to those in power (i.e. those who can change laws).

3) The "call outs" were not in Beverly Hills, Manhattan or the Gold Coast of Chicago, they were in Baldwin Hills, Harlem and the south side of Chicago. He DID speak to the black community and this book (and website) are the results of those discussions.

3) Let me reitterate that OPRAH is not the answer! Let me ask you this aside, what has Oprah done, physically done? She build an extravagant $40m school in South Africa (where the rand (currency) runs $1 = 7rand. Do the math. Further, she has said that she wouldn't do such an extravagant school in the US because the students wouldn't appreciate it. hmmmm...

Can we get back to solving problems rather than talking about so called leaders? WE ARE the leaders and WE are the ones needed to make change.

Answered 1 year ago

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urwututhink says:
I can speak for myself when saying that when I talk about leaders, it's not just to talk about leaders. To be honest, it's more about some of the obstacles the leaders help keep in place when the message is more about entitlement and blame than it is about empowerment and actually DOING things to make progress. That's the only reason I bring leaders up - because they often have a more receptive crowd despite not delivering messages that that audience can use to make gains rather than complaints or conspiracy cries. So, just to be clear, I agree, talking about leaders does nothing - it's about action. As far as what I am doing to make a change, I am working with a media group dedicated to doing things and providing information that can be applied to the thinking and lives of youth, our people, and others. As I continue to work towards change through deed rather than talk, it still helps to examine many of the views perpetuated by our leaders because if we are thinking and not jut co-signing, then we can discern a belief in the best interest of our people from a belief that just sounds good or sounds "pro-black". Seeing things and thinking differently is what help shapes the actions and agenda we need to plan for change and actually MAKE it. Like you said SCLA teacher, Oprah is not the answer, nor is Sharpton, nor am I and nor are you..the answer is made up of a bunch of little pieces that are driven and ready to have an impact. Those pieces then must take advantage of the outlets and resources available to get the message out while doing things that help the community and people the message is for. With that being said, we, as individuals, may not be the solution, but we are certainly a part of it.

Think Differently - Talk radio - RTKZ


Source: http://www.rtkzradio.com
Answered 1 year ago

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bugg333 says:
Yes i agree with all of you, and for the record I was asking that question for my dad- he used to be in the hood, but has settled down in the safe zone around it with me and my mom. But had his doubts about cosby because of that reason, although i think his opinion has changed. Thank you you all. Bill Cosby is a major role model to me, so I felt obliged to rid my father of his negativity towards the way Cosby is doing his part. In my opinion he is doing this very well. Opra is a figure I apreciate, but I had to say what my dad's opinion was. I think that Opra is a well rounded person who has definately helped out the community.

Answered 1 year ago

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dellarae says:
For one, Oprah does'nt have to do anything but sit around and spend her money and enjoy the rest of her life in her grand houses. But instead she continues to try to keep us informed and it's up to you how you precieve that.
In Africa they don't have all the opporitunities to become the Oprah's and Bill Cosby's. So why not help them. Over here in America we have so many opporitunities to become anything we want to be if we put our minds to it. I didn't say that anyone was the answer, but atleast we're all trying to find one in our own way. That's what I meant. She became apart of my topic because the person that wrote the question mentioned her like blacks don't watch her or Bill should'nt have been there like he had broke the black code. He's a grown man and he can go anywhere he thinks he would like to be heard and so what if he choose Oprah.How about stop talking about what the black leaders have or haven't done for the black community and start thinking about what each black individual needs to do for himself and his family. Stop looking for hand outs and start making our own lifes better because it's our life and our responsibility to take care of you and yours. We have to stop being angry at everyone else and start making a change in our thinking and the rest will fall into place.

Answered 1 year ago

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SCLATeacher says:
dellarae says:
For one, Oprah does'nt have to do anything but sit around and spend her money and enjoy the rest of her life in her grand houses. But instead she continues to try to keep us informed and it's up to you how you precieve that.

Are you KIDDING ME? Keep us informed of what? Her view? She cuts off the FEW people I watch on her show (Michael Moore, Cos, Common) more than I have ever seen any host do, period. She is rude and has a singular purpose. Enough with the Oprah.

I know you're not talking to me about telling me to stop complaining about what xyz leader has or hasn't done, when that is the WHOLE INTENT of my post. As the brotha said up a few post, we are the leaders and we are a part of the solution.

As far as handouts, my hand was out to shake anyones who came through my classroom door. Or maybe my hand was out was when I was volunteering at a homeless shelter, or maybe when I was....Look, don't talk about something you don't know until you walk in that person's shoes.

I personally, am not the "angry black man." I am however furious at the state of education, the way we treat each other and the way we are viewed (both us young hip-hop heads and the rest of the black community) in America. I am further furious at us for blaming Latinos and other immigrants and putting them down. I am deeply concerned that we do not know how to create an economic infrastructure that will survive the 21st century global economy in our own neighborhoods and finally I am sick and tired of being sick and tired when it comes to people spewing and drawing up 10 point plans and NOTHING CHANGES! Change in our thinking, my thinking has been progressive for all 37 of my years. It's time to act.

Answered 1 year ago

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dellarae says:
Look, we can go back and forth with that and you can compare what you have done with the homeless and I can say the same. But, why brag about all the things we've done, but the homeless remain homeless and our community still remains ignorant to what Bills message was in the first place.
I agree with you, enough about Oprah, but I stand by my word and her choice to do what she does and how she does it is working out for her. That's your hang up with her not mine.
I don't have to walk a mile in your shoes I've already walked in mines, and that's enough for me. All I want and hope for is that we as a community to be real with each other and learn to communicate correctly so we can start to make some changes. That's one more thing we can agree on is that things need to change or we're looking at a whole new generation that has torn down all the hopes and dreams that was built by Dr. King and many more that worked hard and fought hard for us to have all the oppuritunities as anyone else in this world. We have to teach them what we was once proud of, "I'am Black and I'am Proud."


Answered 1 year ago

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SCLATeacher says:
Since you mentioned him, let me ask...Any other leaders besides MLK? I mean there are 3-4 generations of black folk who didn't grow up seeing him, live or on TV, walking and marching? I'm not trying to debase King, I'm just trying to find someone or some group that is doing something I can point to when I am mentoring, teaching and such with young hip-hop heads. MLK is good, great even, but we cannot remain in the 60s and expect to move forward.

James Brown - "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" is now
Nas - "I am"
Common - choose any song
Mos Def
Talib Kalib
Jill Scott
Alicia Keys
Public Enemy
The list goes on and on musically... What do you think the anthem should be today?

Answered 1 year ago

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foobar says:
bugg333, I heard that Bill Cosby did do an interview with Al Sharpton the end of last week or the beginning of this week. Has it aired? Did anyone see it?

Answered 1 year ago

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