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Is Bill Cosby Right?: Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind

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As an African-American woman, I am deeply disturbed by the state of my community today, and some of the more destructive tendencies that help perpetuate the situation. However, as an African-American woman who also works for a labor union comprised of mostly poor, minority janitors, I am keenly aware of the structural deficiencies across American society that make it very difficult for the poor to even get along, much less get ahead. Therefore, it was with great interest that I picked up this book at the local library; Cosby's comments spawned debate at home, in the press, and in my workplace, and I was eager to read what Michael Eric Dyson - an often engaging writer and speaker - had to say on the issue. Unfortunately, this is a deeply flawed - and ultimately unfulfilling - book.

The main problem with "Is Bill Cosby Right" is the apparent answer to this question, based on the author's response, is: "Probably not, but more importantly, he's a race traitor and a jerk". Over half of the book is dedicated to knocking Bill Cosby personally, not directly addressing his comments. When you spend a chapter of a book rehashing allegations that played out on the National Enquirer, you're in trouble. I had to question Professor Dyson's reasoning even more when he chose to contrast Mr. Cosby with Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who he held up as apparent models of black activism (personally I am no great fan of either).

The energy the author spent attacking Cosby would have been much better spent outlining why Cosby was so wrong in the first place. Dyson's arguments may be rooted in hard facts, but he sure doesn't make them abundantly clear for the reader - an irony considering his criticism of what he felt were wild, baseless accusations from Cosby. The bulk of Dyson's response is based on his theories about what contingent of the black race a person is coming from - the "Afristocracy", etc. Clearly his sympathies lie with those "jubilant performers on the street", but creating your own theory to counter someone else's theory is not the most cogent or effective weapon to shred their argument - a missed opportunity for the author.

The bottom line is, like the old saying goes, "Just because he's crazy don't mean he's not right". However one feels about Bill Cosby's handling of racial issues in the past, his relationship with his children, or his television shows, the real issue here is the validity of his comments when it comes to the state of the black community today. Unfortunately, instead of engaging the content of the message, Dyson seems content to simply attack the messenger, making for a sadly unfulfilling and disengaging read.

Dyson seems to take glee in chronicling Bill Cosby's dysfunctional family, but how does this discredit Cosby? Multitudes of upper class white families have problem children, too, but fewer than in impoverished white families. Why would it be different for African-Americans? If children with the financial advantages Bill Cosby can provide do not ALL turn out well, then doesn't it stand to reason that those without those advantages need to confront the hard truth or resign themselves to failure?

But the more critical point missed by this book, and many reviews of it, is that both sides of this debate are so entrenched in their positions (the battle of "quit being a victim" versus "quit being a hypocritical apologist") that nobody seems to see that both sides can co-exist. For example, the fact someone with a "made up" black name gets passed over for a job interview establishes not only that racism is still prevalent, but also that parents who give these names to their children foolishly handicap them.

Likewise, the fact that African-Americans have to sacrifice more of their "cultural identity" to succeed in a currently majority-white America does not conflict with the fact that the "cultural identity" Cosby asks them to give up (broken speech, bling bling, sagging pants, etc.) has no basis in African society. In other words, it's "preservation value" as a true cultural artifact is essentially non-existent. (As an aside, Africa has 54 countries and hundreds of languages within its boundaries. Those who believe there is a monolithic culture that can be called "African" should be called "nostalgically ignorant," as they cling to something that never existed). While recognizing it is understandable that a people who do not know from which culture they come because of savage brutality would adopt all national possibilities and act as if they are complementary, it also is true the "African" in "African-American" is, for most American youth, a political label devoid of any true connection to the motherland.

The fact that many "urban schools" (code for "predominantly black schools") do not have dollar-for-dollar equality with some "suburban schools" (code for "mostly white, and sometimes with high-achieving Asians or other minorities") does not contradict the fact that in many states, some urban schools with MORE dollars per capita than suburban schools still do worse in every measure of educational achievement. Dyson, to his credit, is methodical, but it seems only in the direction of reaching his preordained conclusion. He doesn't answer the question posed by another comedian, Chris Rock, "What's the point of buying new books when nobody was reading the old ones?" (How Rock has escaped Cosby's critics while saying the exact same thing in a "blacker" and comedic way is a whole book of its own). Rock, like Cosby, recognizes that education is about attitude, and because black people have to achieve more to end up in the same place, if they would rather play ball or hang out then read, they're going to fail.

Ultimately, instead of widening a schism between one of America's most successful black men and himself, Dyson might have written a book about how two sides can co-exist. After all, the attitudes of many inner-city and lower class African-Americans were ingrained by a dependency-breeding, paternalistic, condescending welfare state, so yes, African-Americans are victims. This does not conflict with the fact that these attitudes are absolutely self-defeating, or put in a way Dyson may defend more, "f***ed up, dawg."

As for the book Dyson wrote, he gets points for contributing to the debate. But whether you "like it" depends on your trench. If you're in Dyson's, you'll enjoy his slingshot to the head of the hypocritical, personally scandalous, elitist, whitewashed giant Cosby has become. If you're in Cosby's, you'll see a pop cultural fanatic playing academic while pulverizing a straw man with one arm tied behind its back.

This book was a wimpish series of personal attacks on Bill Cosby for not being perfect. It is Dyson's lame exercise of trying to trash the messenger (and avoid debating the message). What irritated me most about this tired book was when Dyson attempted to cast those who agree with Bill Cosby's position as the black elite, or the "afristocrats". At the same time he attempts (but fails)to portray himself as the legitimate representative of "real black people", or "black folk". That was laughable! In fact, I would bet everything I own that Cosby's comments reflect the fellings of the majority of law-abiding, working, honest black people. Ordinary black people everywhere are tired of seeing so many other black people (especially the not so "hip-hop" generation) destroy each other and our communities in an ocean of crime, drugs, gangs, welfare families, ignorance, etc. It was about time for someone to stand up and say ENOUGH!! THANK GOD for Bill Cosby, and I hope to see the day when other prominent and decent high profile blacks join him!! How many more generations will we have to watch destroyed as the Dysons of the world recite every lame excuse for black men and women not growing up? We must find our way back to being, like many of our parents and grandparents before us, people of beauty, dignity and intelligence, even in apparently forgotten days when discrimination was blatant and extremely visible!!

I am a professional black woman from humble roots. I'm about to read a book that counters this one, and I wanted to at least get the author's point of view.

I got to page eight. At page eight, I couldn't take the socialist rantings and the "Black people are victims," whining.

I am of what Mr. Dyson considers the "Afrostocary": I am a black woman with a college degree and a professional job. I worked my tail off to get where I am, and I refuse to be anyone's victim. I will not apologize for that.

in mr. dyson's world, every black man who would suggest taking self-responsibility over the things one CAN control, is simply a pawn of the evil white overlord who stands in purposeful oppression of black self-awareness. mr. dyson is a divisive separatist who seeks to promote the 'us against them' mantra that continues to wall us off from one another; from communication; from healing. he carries a great talent for distributing blame.

Someone asked Bill Cosy "How could you be a high-paid comic in the 1960's without using racial stereotypes or vulgarity? What's the secret of your success?"

"I spoke English," said Bill cosby.

I understand that Cosby's "Pound Cake" speech ruffled some feathers, and opened a can of worms, yet it's all true, not just about African Americans. It's about all of us.

Fewer and fewer teens (of both races) have jobs after school or on weekends. I taught in Harlem for two years, and had a stack of job applications in my desk, but none of my students got jobs. They'd fill out the application and never turn it in. Dr. Rudy Crew (former NYC schools chancellor) told me it's the "bling-bling" culture of today; kids can't see the connection between having beautifull things and paying for them. When it comes to teen pregnancy, they can't see the connection with having a child and having to take care of it.

Whites are not without social ills. Instead of trying to be the star student or basketball player, white girls want to be Paris Hilton. Women are making huge accomplishements today in sports, politics, NASA, and even boxing, yet girls would rather emulate a stupid rich bimbo.

I saw the same problems in schools with black AND white kids. Your child won't be a sucess unless you shut off the damn TV, pull the iPods out of their ears, and say "YOU WANT THESE THINGS, YOU"LL WORK FOR THEM!!!!"

In reading this book I became very disheartened in the way our society is going. While I respect Dr. Dyson's view on allowing individuality and embracing our history, I find that he also allows for the acceptance of ignorance.

He also gives support to he refutes arguments based on research such as "being smart" as "being white". What he should do is gather information from people who have been subjected to this experience. I grew up in Detroit, MI in the 70's and 80's and now have an 8yr old nephew there, who is having the same experience of being called "white" because he's articulate and bright.

I understand his need to connect the gap between the older generation and the younger generation. This is important, but not at the sacrifice of educating our youth. I understand the use of slang, however there is a time and place for everything. I understand there are different styles, however many of these same youths do not know how to dress during an interview, church service or in school for that matter, with dress codes.

He uses the example of the colorful array of suits and zoot suits in the early 1900's. We have similar styles with the crayola colored styles that would not be acceptable in corporate America. And that is okay. However his attempt to compare the prison garb style to the previous styles is like comparing apples to oranges. A zoot suit was compared to a conservative suit. The prison garb should be compared to a simple pair of jeans with a belt. The youth are not in "sympathy dress". They are dressing in a trend with no meaning, only wanting to fit in. Why not fit in with productive individuals vs. the prisoners?

We can romanticize about the so called martyr's of Tupac and Biggie Smalls as he has done in this book, but it takes away from those who are really trying to help the community and are gunned down or imprisoned. Tupac and Biggie were about the dollar and that dollar caused them to hang around individuals who took things too far for that almighty dollar.

Most of his arguments sound like excuses. I think we should embrace our youth and the poor. However if they are taught as Dr. Dyson does in this book that you're okay where you are and with what you're doing, will they listen when someone is trying to teach them a way that can better their lives so they will no longer be poor.

Okay...I was very disappointed. I thought that maybe he would disprove what Bill said; however, he was just NEGATIVE! Also, it is just a book full of excuse/pointing fingers. Yes, America has assisted in the demise of black people; however, it is not totally responsible. It doesn't address the fact that black individuals have minds and choices! We focus so much on the punishment or laws that are in place, but why is there no focus on why blacks CHOOSE to place themselves in situations for these laws to be enforced. If we made better decisions about our actions, then we could focus on changing these laws. Bill just called it like he sees it! Yes, society does not make it easy for us, but at the same time we (blacks) don't make any easier by making the wrong choices. (I am not just talking about the poor. I am speaking about ALL.) We can debate black history for days on days, but you learn history to know where you came from and assist in making better decisions about the future.This book is just really trying to discredit Bill and not focusing on a solution to the very VALID points Bill made. Bill may not be the picture of a perfect moral character but who is in this day!!! Let find a solution to the bigger issue.

I am so proud to know that there are many other Black folks who agree with Bill Cosby. I am also happy that he went public with the truth about what's wrong in our community. "Personal responsibility and personal respectability" is the key expression.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Bill Cosby for speaking the TRUTH! I am feed up with this victim mentality that writers and spokes-people like Michael Dyson perpetuate as it applies to Black people. WE ARE NO LONGER VICTIMS of the "white-man." Those days are gone. DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET IN A MAJOR CITY AT NIGHT or WATCHING THE EVENING NEWS or LOOKING AT OUR YOUNG MEN WEARING THEIR PANTS DOWN BELOW THEIR BEHINDS shows where our problems exists.

Michael Dyson writes many books criticizing and exposing whoever and whatever; He has even "exposed" Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in one of his books. What else does he do beyond writing and talking? Dr. King fulfilled his God-ordained purpose and destiny on this earth. And we are not idiots either; we all know he was imperfect. He was human!

Yes, institutionalized bigotry exists, but we as a people overcome in spite of it all. And for Michael Dyson, and the others like him, continuing with this "victim" jargon does no one any good, period.

Bill Cosby was not an elitist, etc, as some of you call him,

HE SIMPLY SPOKE THE DOG GONE TRUTH!!

Right on, Bill. ENCORE!!!!!!!!!

I personally believe Dr. Dyson has the best interest of black folk at heart. I really do. However, I think he is misguided and I am not impressed by him. I admit I did not finish the book. Once he began his personal attacks on Mr. Cosby I left it alone.

Bill said what many of us say in private. Period. You can argue that he picked the wrong time and place, but the message is the right one. Maybe he did not say it as nicely as he could have, but it is still the truth.

At the end of the day there are way too many writers and speakers trying to pass themselves off as leaders. Leaders lead, writers write, and speakers talk. The sad thing about it is so many of our people incorrectly accept these people as leaders. There are too many people trying to tell us what to think and not enough showing our people what to do. While Dyson beats Cosby down personally I ask what should some of these young brothers do to better their situation?

There are basically two kinds of people in this world. You either look for people and things that confirm what you think to be true. Or you look for people and things that will reveal the truth rather it confirms what you thought or turns it on its head. At this time our people need the truth, not more pandering.