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Name: MrsPhoenix

Comment: AMEN! We as a people don't see value in one another. My father would say (and DO) this particular saying: See a man for what he is, and so shall he remain. See a man for what he could be, and so shall he improve.

Name: Quietstorm

Comment: I instantly thought of Bill Cosby.

Name: coesmo

Comment: quietstorm: so did I

Name: PositiveB

Comment: I totally agree that we can be too judgemental, too high and mighty. Just because you find someone at a "bad place" in their life, doesn't mean that person cannot improve. The only thing I caution is that people do have to take a little more control of their lives, their destinies. I definetly don't buy into all of Cosby's crap, because he is an elitist, but no matter how well intentioned we are, how open we are to help someone, if that person isn't willing to take that first step, there is nothing we can do to help them.

Name: SweetieDarlin

Comment: Well unfortunately for many of us looking down is human nature. Many people feel that they can't feel really accomplished unless they can compare and down others, i.e. my momma/daddy did this and that implying that others parents actually set out to create drug addicts, drug dealers, underachievers and the general n'er do well. Many mistakes made are because people do not know any better and some mistakes can take almost a lifetime to correct (and that should never happen to anyone.) I feel that the best way to help is to set up'preventive' measures for example if you have alternatives, perhaps you won't get into the street, if you feel free to ask for help when your are doing poorly in school and get the necessary help you may not be too quick to drop out of school. At this point we want to still pretend all parenting is equal, it is not and many people's mistakes are a result of that, perhaps more parenting classes are needed and the resources that are available are actually put out there before families are in crisis (anger management classes, home economics, nutrition on a budget etc.) SOOOO many people a-s-s-ume that everyone knows the same things, so failure is totally your fault, I guess people really believe the 'You can make it if you try' adage, not realizing, everyone making has actually had some kind of help to get to where they were, even if it is someone teaching them about common senses and how to avoid the pitfalls in life and how to get up when you fall.

Name: Renegade

Comment: Right On DJ! I hate that Ivory Tower mentality. Let Each One Teach One.

Name: eastboogie_21

Comment: Bill Cosby needs to read pieces like this....and feel ashamed of himself.

Name: kady

Comment: Well said Darryl...

Name: jaybird9

Comment: DJ, you are a deep brother, and I totally agree with you!! I was fortunate enough to find my way out of the projects, but I make sure I go back home to help out the same kid in my situation. Man, I agree with you more than you know. Some of these brothers and sisters want to criticize our own people without willing to help them out. That's why I hate when someone calls something ghetto, because nine times out of ten they never stayed in the ghetto or anything close to it. You got a serious movement going on, and I'm right behind ya!!!

Name: Priceless

Comment: Daryl, I'm feeling this one ... I too hate the reference to "those people", but I also know that you can offer to help some people who don't feel they need your help ... you could never convince a rapper that he is not uplifting his people when he puts negativity into the Diaspora via his music, or actors/black directors/black producers who put out negative art ... it would be nice to have a forum where people who want help and people who want to help can connect but truth is there will always be the people who talk about what is wrong but don't offer solutions ... but is it wrong for us to identify the fact that we do have problems? and what is our proof that Bill hasn't done anything to help any of those people?

Name: JamerDelta

Comment: I definitely agree with a lot of what you have to say in this article DJ. However, aren't you in effect 'putting down' Bill Cosby by singling him out and also making judgements on certain things he did or said. Is that the measure of him? Or, is he like those other examples you spoke about--a work in progress? My opinion on all that is that I agree with some of what he says but I have never heard an entire speech of his to actually make a fully informed opinion on where he stands. I just get bits and snippets in the media. It may be a different story if we actually heard the whole thing. I do believe that he speaks on people learning to parent like another poster mentioned--that certainly is positive. My whole thing is to try not to judge anyone because people are who they are based on their own experiences and everyone can change if they'd like and everyone can be learned from so its not for us to judge, but to lend a hand if needed and help pull up when needed and be willing to have others contribute to us when needed. You're judging Bill based on what college he gave to and not another--how is that fair?

Name: dport

Comment: Every Christian and/or Greek fraternity/sorority member should read this and look at themselves. Here in the South I see so mouch separitism and heirachy that many display to seperate themselves from someone who is not in their group or clique. Me being simply a Christian beleive EVERY man/being is my Brother and has access to my help for whatever reason.

Name: MOTHERSHIP

Comment: Tell it, Darryl! Jamer, because Morris Brown was damn near penniless and Morehouse needed money like they needed a whole in the head! Just that one is considered more "prestigious" than the other, and therefore gets more press.

Name: Bertie

Comment: I agree with alot of what D. James had to say--but like Jamar, I think he was guilty of putting down Bill Cosby because he doesn't like his views. I don't agree with some of Cosby's elitist rants, BUT I won't critize his giving money to Morehouse. Thats where his kids went--and who are we to tell him how to give his charity. And he didn't just give money to the school, he also endowed scholarships so students could attend. The closure of Morris Brown was not Cosby's fault or responsibility anymore than it was mine, or anyone elses. So if we blame or criticize Cosby for "letting it close" why not blame ourselves too.

Name: lovelace

Comment: Freedom of Speech applies to everyone. Bill Cosby has made some statements in the media that you and many others do not agree with, but at the same time, you have written some articles that people have not necessarily agreed with. But, you are entitled to your opinions, as Mr. Cosby is entitled to his. I'm a DC Native and Mr. Cosby has done alot for low income people in the District of Columbia. He prevented D.C. General Hospital (a city owned hospital for the poor) from closing on numerous occasions in the 70's and 80s and he came the rescue of Ben's Chilli Bowl, a U Street landmark when they were in a financial crisis, to name a few. Mr. Cosby has always given back to the community, whether it was for elite colleges, or not, I'm sure the people appreciated his generosity. Darryl, everyone knows how you feel about Mr. Cosby's views, so why keep dwelling on it? Some of the things Mr. Cosby has said, I don't necessarily agree with, but a lot of what he's said, rang true (i.e. "some" parents need to step up to the plate and take control of their kids, "some" people need to get off their azzes and find jobs, etc.) Its not necessarily about putting people down, its about making people accountable and recognizing the importance of doing their part. My brother used to talk about how hard it was to find a job, but like I told him, he can't get out of bed at Noon going to look for a job, he has to get up early in the morning as if he already had a job and be the first person there to be interviewed. I explained to him that nobody owes him a damn thing and that life is what you make it! I'm all about helping people rise above their current situations. I've always encouraged recovering drug addicts, inmates returning to society, drug dealers, etc. to change their way of life. I have embellished resumes for many of them (some didn't even know what a resume was) to help them find gainful employment. Some found jobs, but some chose to do what they've always done, NOTHING. You can lead a person to the well, but you can't make them drink from it.

Name: Gemami

Comment: *Standing up clapping and cheering* This is an excellent and very truthful article. It mirrors my experience here in Birmingham with these elitist Blacks. I can write a book but I won’t – I want to comment on my belief why I believe Darryl brings up Bill Cosby. First because Cosby elected himself as the voice of Blacks, second he doesn’t come off as someone who is a “work in progress” but an “example of success”, and third Cosby talks about poor Blacks and Black men but not to them – with for me is a huge problem. Cosby separated himself from poor Blacks and Black men which made his statements counterproductive. I personally will “hear” a person has empathy for me than someone who views me as a threat, especially if that person is far removed from my situation.

Name: DarrylJames

Comment: Right on Gemami! You hit the nail on the head. Really, I wasn’t even going to post because I’m no longer interested in defending my positions on Cosby--his supporters won’t change and neither will I. But, you, mothership and others prove that it’s not just old crazy azz Darryl James. Across the nation, people are still talking about his comments from both sides. It’s funny that people want to question and challenge me, while exonerating him. His rights don’t supercede my own and I’ll write about him again if I feel like it. Everything ain’t for everybody, feel me?

Name: musbdherbs

Comment: "Ladies and gentlemen, the lower economic and low middle economic people are not holding their end in this deal".."PEople with their hats on backwards, pants down around the crack..are you waiting for Jesus to pull his pants up"..."the white man, he's laughing..50% dropout rate-rest of them in prison." "After you blame me and decide that Bill Cosby is an elitist...watch the dropout rate go up to sixty percent"...."You have to see yourselves not as the old women where the men stood in front of you and you all stood behind, because the men, most of them are in prison"....."70 percent of black graduates this year are female"

Name: musbdherbs

Comment: BEcause Cosby is a philanthropist, educator or whatever, WE have EVERY right to criticize him for what he says. This was an absolutely GREAT article. D James doesn't get a pass, Sharpton doesn't get a pass, so why in the hell do people think "because he's cosby" that he is free from ridicule.

Name: Priceless

Comment: wow I'm shocked that DJ stopped fussing and cussing folks out who disagreed with .... my my how times change ... LOL!

Name: musbdherbs

Comment: Uh-oh...didn't know that the above was posted because my computer crash and couldn't finish my thought. BUT, we should know that Cosby experienced drug problems w/his own daughter. Fortunately for him, he had the family structure and financial means to make sure that his daughter got the help she needed. W/that, can we imagine the countless number of others who don't have such support? It's much easier to criticize people when u have the means to remove yourself from an environment. However, what about those who don't. Oftentimes, they become a product of their environment through birth alone.

Name: cedent

Comment: Excellent! Great points. I really liked the Morehouse and Morris Brown parallel. You're also right about so called counselors discouraging students. Again, excellent article...keep this up.

Name: Kofi

Comment: DJ another excellent piece. I do appreciate the concilatory tone of the article. Even though we may disagree with folks such as Cos, We still have far more in common than differences. I would caution against taking an overly optimistic view. After 9/11 many people said the world has changed since we are now living under the threat of terrorism. Black folks have been living under the threat of terrorism that has intensified since the mid 80's. Unfortunately, the folks doing the terrorizing are people who look like you and I. I too came from the "hood" I strongly believe in helping a brotha up. I would not be the person I am without many many helping hands. The hard question is the person who feels the need to bring a gun to the night club. What do we do about him? In the San Francisco bay area Oakland and San Francisco will experience some 250+ murders this year. Many of those deaths will be of young black men killed by other young black men. We can do much to change the life of young people who are at risk however, we do have some folks who have little regard for themselves and others. We do have some folks who act like sociopaths. What do we do with them?

Name: MsSerendipity

Comment: Yada, Yada, Yada! Lovelace I am totally feeling your comment. As I am an ardent fan or Mr. James and I swear was hanging off of my seat at his first article directed towards Cosby, I am *yawning* at this point. I too am a Native DC Lady and recognize all that he has done to help us. I am also aware that his choice of words, deliverance is sometimes a hinderance, so are alot of these comments. My father graduated from Morris Brown and Yale and I feel for Morris Brown "ahem" but does that allow me to tell someone where to put their money? How much money have ANY OF THE READERS given to Morris Brown? Lovelace, I have seen your work, I watch you diligently help pulling our lost youth in DC up as u rise...I always turn around and pull up the next guy and I respect you for that. Morever, I respect the fact that you took the time with your full time job and raising your children to WRITE A BOOK called "Motherhood, What you Ought to know" "standing and applauding". You realized the tennage pregnacy issues and you did your part and continue to. People kill me growling when someone of color gets some money they wanna tell them where to put it. It's none of your business. This thread and this tirade at Mr. Cosby has become nothing more than a modern day lynching at least on this thread and all that were before it. How positive is it to constantly drag that brother? In one breath we speak of pitting blacks against blacks and in the next breath we are saying "DOWN WITH COSBY HE AIN'T %*$!! Well I beg to differ. I only have 1 or 2 more comment and that is: How long do we placate "our people"? We have been asking, teaching and begging for a long time and "THEY" AIN'T listening! Darryl you seem to be a serious minded passionate brother and I applaud you. But just for a moment why don't YOU start focusing more on those same folks that Cosby is. Seems to me that with you both trying to help the same people someone's gonna hear ya! Much Love and Respect!

Name: MsSerendipity

Comment: Sorry about my typo's ya'll I did get the Mavis Beacon cd and am working on it...

Name: clarkent

Comment: Darryl, I couldn’t agree with you more on the premise of your article; however, it’s a thin veil of which on the surface appear to be a loving awe inspiring awakening of what ails us but what lies below sews the very seeds of hate and self hatred that you seek to rid in us. I’m no psychologist but I would summit that there’s something in your past that’s “eating you alive” that is the cause and effect (your composition(s)). Do you love? Do you love yourself? Who are you angry at? Why are you angry at them? Before you answer these questions, think first person, not third person, unlike your writings. Remember the Pharisee Saul of Taurus, before he became the Apostle Paul. Remember the LORD saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Darryl, why do you persecute us (Cosby is but a microcosm) so? Instead of Cosby this and Cosby that in your numerous rants, when will you ever leave Cosby alone and focus on Darryl James this and Darryl James that? You want to on the one hand, enlighten the one and vilify the other, enlighten the few and vilify the masses, enlighten the masses and vilify the few. What gives? It behooves you to read Steve Ivory’s latest EUR article titled “Fast Car to Self.” I’m no Ice Cube, but “you’d betta’ check yo’ self fo’ you wreck yo self’ all the while taking the rest of us with you. And for the rest of us, especially the youth (from 0 to 92; ref. Nat King Cole) who are still being shaped, like the clay in the potter’s hand, let’s all do more critical thinking and look beyond the surface of what is being written and said, open our minds “and talk to me so I can see what’s going on.” That’s the Marvin Gaye in me. Talk to us Darryl: What is this negative energy that has a hold on you and won’t let go? I don’t know who and/or what it is in your life that Bill Cosby reminds you of (perhaps it is you and your shortcomings, not Bills’, I dunno’) but it is my hope that you find it in your heart to forgive that person(s) and hopefully move on with more awe inspiring writings. BTW, all those are rhetorical questions.

Name: DarrylJames

Comment: Clarkkent, you should have stopped when you said you were no psychologist. You want to know why I’m "persecuting" Cosby, but the real question is why you are so much on my dyck? You sound like some homosexual psychostalker nut. I blocked you from emailing me, so I guess you think you’ll get it started in here. NOT! Get this clear: I am not interested in a dialogue with you, so just leave it alone. What kind of empty life/sycophant obsession do you have that you want to talk to a stranger about his personal life? What kind of time do you have on your hands that you have focused so much on me? You suggested that I "Focus on Darryl James." I do that in my everyday life, but it’s not for you, fool. We’re not friends, nor could we be, so stop trying to analyze a man based on something he wrote. The only thing that "eats me alive" is ignorant excuses for humans such as yourself and Cosby. Something is clearly wrong with you. I think you should seek help instead of advising others.

Name: amethyst

Comment: Excellent column. If more of us acted instead of just talked, how much better would our communities be? Regarding Morris Brown, the school was in a financial jam in the 1990's and many Black folks helped them out. When another mismanagement problem occurred within 10 years, why should anyone be expected to run to their rescue again? As Iyanla Vanzant states, "If you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting." I really hope Morris Brown will be revived, but the only way this can happen is if the management and Board of Directors is changed. I will gladly give money to the school when I see that productive, financially savvy actions are being taken.

Name: MsSerendipity

Comment: smh @ Superman being a sycophant (btw one of my favorite words) trying to be a therapist. Clark u kinda had me until you took it way personal with the author, cyber stalking is terrible. Why don't you focus on the premise of his article which you said in the beginning you loved and add some positive feed back and maybe assist in a solution for this obvious crisis. The very same ideal with us asking with the civil rights movement, with us asking the the panthers, applies (I believe) to what Mr. Cosby is trying to say and that is let's get raw and dirty and fugg the formalities. We all have our shortcomings and a man's indescretions do not negate all the good he's done. Can't we find a medium here? There are folks on this very thread who do deeds evey single day with no recognistion so we damn sure don't have time for bullshit. Daryl (not that you care) but I do respect your writings so much but this is not a or should not be oneside. Any education that is one sided is not an education but a brainwashing. This constant bickering does nothing but cause a deeper divide. Listen to what your aunties were telling youu about Medgar and Martin (my dad grew up next door to him all the way until college) and so I heard stories too. I think your aunties were telling you that even though we have the same goal our ways of reaching them may be differnt and can' that be? Black men and Black women need a talking to! Parents are falling short and do need to be accountable for their children and I came from the bottom and don't know how to look down accept for you grab another hand to pull up. This is what I was taught. Peace and Respect

Name: SweetieDarlin

Comment: I know this is days late but anyway had to say it. For those who took this article and decided it's another Cosby bash----What are you talking about? Basically the article is simply saying instead of talking about it 'be about it'. The Cosby reference is simply an example that everyone can understand. Cosby IS constantly doing the opposite by simply pointing out some people who are having issues, but he is not offering solutions. Anyone can do that, the challenge is to help resolve the issues and not simply look down on people who need help. Essencially IMO Darryl brings up Cosby, because everytime you look up Cosby is saying yet another negative thing. For those of you who think he's right, good for you! I'm glad that he helped you see what we were missing, no doubt you would not have thought about what WE need without Cosby's infinite wisdom. Since Cosby has spoken everything is well with the black community---see how easy that was... WHAT you say our community are in the same condition because nothing was done, it was all talk? WOW! and I thought it was as simple as, saying 'Get a job' to a person without a job or job skills and POOF they got a job, hmmm turns out you may have to help people to solutions. Cosby misled me!LOL BTW for all of you who are out there helping your communities, KUDOS!

Name: MsSerendipity

Comment: Sweetie- You can't possibly read that article and not reflect on the ones before it. Those of "US" who were thanking Cosby did so because he was born here and did some tremendous things even when the government turned their backs on us about hospital support. He (Cosby) built a wing! When the doors were going to be shut he (Cosby) kept them open so if that is not DOING then what more of an example do you need? I think that some of the readers really and I really emphasize need to take a deeper look at Mr. Cosby's contrubutions both past and present. Your sarcasm is NOT the type of thing that helps an already dire sitution. I am still wondering if you thought all of us could not make reference to all of the article before this one. I for one thought the article a good one but let's keep it moving. And YES we are extremely grateful that he kept the ONLY hospital in DC for poor folk with no insurance OPEN..that is DOING!

Name: MsSerendipity

Comment: http://www.seizethetime.com/

Name: SweetieDarlin

Comment: MsSerendipity-I am well aware of what Cosby has done has far as philanthropy is concerned and that is well appreciated. Perhaps while you are thanking Cosby for his contributions, many were thanking him for stating the fact that poor people haven't kept their end of the bargain, they were thanking him for saying poor black people don't invest in their children's education, poor black people have poor english skills, they were thanking him for saying most young black men aren't shat etc. I have a problem because that's what whites have said about us for years, do you think that Cosby's comments help? It looks as if our people agree with the negative a-s-sessment they have of us. I have read all of Darryl's articles and I still don't feel that they were out of order as far as Cosby's concerned. I don't feel it is an Cosby obsession as some observers have indicated. I think that because Cosby continues to make negative comments, without solutions to those particular problems it begs a comment. Keep in mind Cosby is doing this on a lecture circuit so more than likely he is getting paid to make negative comments to the world. Some people say will dirty laundry needs to be aired, for what? Anything Cosby says we all know can apply to some of us, and many other races, so telling the world does nothing but show our lack of unity. Hispanics have gang problems,people who speak poor english and there are some that don't do as well as others but they are not running around the country tell everyone that the poorer people haven't held up their end of the bargain and ill mannered the children are etc. Please know that there are those who feel that Cosby can be considered some sort of leader, so again, if a person who is so-called respected in the black community gets up and says someone, people pay attention and think it has some merit. And yes although you don't appreciate my sarcasm I feel it is valid as Cosbyites will have you believe that making a comment is going to immediate effect change,and that Cosby came up with some startling revelation. Now admittedly Cosby comments opened up some dialog but we need more than dialog. My main point is that if you are going to make negative observations about people who may not know how to do better, why not offer solutions aside from, "do better." Many communities need computers, books, tutors, mentors, activities for children to keep them off the streets so that if their parents can not or will not provide the necessities for a better education, they still will have it, many parents actually need Parenting Classes, Child Development classes etc. in other words it not as simple as people need to get it together. I do not like this classism and this us and them mentality among blacks, we can not afford that type of divide. I feel that Cosby comments is pushing that idea and THAT is WHAT is not needed.

Name: MsSerendipity

Comment: Sweetie- I respect your comments. And as far as your comment what we need to do in our communities, some of my childhood friends started a non-profit where we spend a lot of time helping the youth in the hood where we grew up. Maybe some look at Cosby as a leader, I have never looked at him that way. As far as what we say in the media (for whites to see) do you not think they read this? Darryl is a passionate writer and I was never trying to censor him because I believe we ALL have a civil right to speak as we see fit. I guess my main point is that many of us do our part. Many parents need to be called out and held accountable. As simple as that. They need it given to them RAW. I am totally with you on the fact that many need help and guidance..I LIVE IT! Moreover, Cosby's diliverance has annoyed me in many ways, but who are You or anyone else to say how one should say things. Cosby's comments are not too far off the mark. Those who need guidance as to how try and be and raise responsible children should be offered help. I have raised two beautiful, smart, mannerable young women and they look at the brothers and say "look at his pants hangin, why does he not comb his hair?". I am not gonna drag this out anymore because it's redundant. The bottom line is that ACCOUNTABILITY needs to be had PERIOD. Whether Cosby says it, I say it or whether you say it. I agree with Goethe who contends that none are more enslaved than those who believe themselves to be free. Peace and Respect

Name: MsSerendipity

Comment: lol @ Lack of Unity. What unity? Should he lie and give the impression of "Black Unity"? I am interested to know if anyone on this thread could say or ask Cosby one question and/or statement regarding his quest what would it be?

Name: dutches150

Comment: Spiritual Warefare!!!!

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