Customer Reviews

COME ON PEOPLE: On the Path from Victims to Victors

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Black activists can get thousands to march on Jena, but you never hear of them getting thousands to march on Baltimore or Compton where daily you hear of blacks being victimized by other blacks. It is as though the infrequent white on black attacks are all that troubles the black community rather than an epidemic of black on black crime. One can not really blame Sharpton or Jesse Jackson as the media are obsessed with only certain aspects of the black community, mostly when they are victims of whites. But those thousands who march have to then have to head home and hide behind locked doors and you can be sure the doors are locked not because they fear cops or Lacrosse players. It is a sick situation that boggles the mind.

Finally we have some very respected black leaders coming out and saying that simply thinking of yourself as a victim does nothing but keep you down. The old methods of protesting to prop up the images of celebrity activists have clearly not worked. Unless the authors' advice is taken, we will see another generation of black americans live in poverty and hopelessness while their few celebrity leaders are wined and dined by the power elite who seem content with the current situation as long as they continue to get free votes. This book is very powerful and also very couragious. You will likely see both authors attacked because they have the nerve to not follow the party line. Well ask yourself, who benefits from the party line? Only those who get political advantage from it.

As a white native of the Appalachian coalfields, an area plagued with the same problems that are destroying inner-city black families, I hear in Cosby's words advice that many of my friends and family members also need to hear. Cosby speaks about the need for positive male role models, the abandonment of the community, the price of violence and personal foundations (either good or bad) built during childhood. With staggering statistics and clear, rational arguments, Cosby presents an undeniable thesis that points a finger directly at irresponsible behavior as the root of most of our problems.

Cosby's greatest frustration with black America comes from embracing the "victim" label and the continuation of self-defeating (and often stereotypical) behavior. As examples, he sites the use of the n-word, self loathing parents who spew hatred for their own race in front of their children, and support for criminals.

The biggest credit paid to Cosby should be the high road he takes in this book, which comes directly on the heels of a three year stretch where he has routinely been mocked and attacked for his beliefs. One would expect others like Bill O'Reilly or Michael Moore in a similar situation to spend the first few chapters railing against their critics and answering any counter points against their arguments. But Cosby seems more interested in getting out his message than protecting his image, so he's all business in this work, even it provides more fodder for his critics to use against him.

I saw the Cos and Dr. Poussant yesterday on "Meet the Press" speak truth to power with limited commercial interruption just before church and headed to Boox-A-Million right after services to get this for myself.

This is a much-needed modern manifesto on the internal probelsm of Black America (and to a large extent, America as a whole);

Drs. Poussant and Cosby not only talk about the problems we all know about, but also some solutions and examples of people who have overcome these things. The story about the boy casually coming home to a shack to find his mother dead and going to fix himself some lunch unfazed is astonishing.

They debunk the current bunk about the "n word" being a term of "endearment," noting that when these same fools who say "what's up my (n word)" also use that same term when shooting at each other.

They also talk about something I've discussed frequently when I was a newspaper and radio commentator, the hateful slavery-bred practice of Black parents making uneccesarily negative statements about the Black race in the presence of their children, thus instilling and continuing the inferiority complex.

They do not deny the need of the fight against external forces. I've never understood why so many people feel that that it's an "either or" fight for Black self-improvement or against white racism. I've always felt we needed BOTH the "Booker T and the WEB" approaches, and the Cos and Dr. Pouissant acknowledge this.

In the past, too many African-Americans feared that candid discussions of such matters would give ammunition for white racists to destroy us (as if other races were prefect angels). We need to get over that because that "head in the sand" approach caused us to ignore this problem for too long and was one of the factors that got us into the current mess. This book should go a long way in helping to kill this destructive mindset.

If there is one weakness in the book, it is in presenting pre-civil rights movement-era Black communities with rose colored glasses. It is true that for the most part, the oldschool Black communities tended to have more of an extended family spirit (and some still do today), but they were not perfect. We must admit that the imperfections of these communities played a considerable role in creating the destruction that we see today. However, this minor flaw does not distract from the overall good this book has to offer.

Incidentally, the book wisely avoids petty detours by not bothering to mention a certain publicity-hound "intellectual" who has tried to gain cheap fame and bucks by deliberately distorting Dr. Cosby's message to make it appear that Cos hates poor blacks and propping himself as their would-be savior. This shameless self-promoting gasbag who is badly in need of Metamucil is deservedly ignored here as he hopefully will be for a long time to come.

To Drs. Poussant and Cosby, keep speaking truth to power! The people are listening and the revolution to take back our people and nation has begun!

Dr. Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint have penned an instant classic that every American, regardless of race should race out to purchase, read, and apply. As a middle-age white male, I fondly remember listening to the wit, wisdom, and humor of Bill Cosby on a 78 (a record for those too young to know). The joy he brought me as a youth is nothing compared to the joy he is bringing a race and a nation today as he and his co-author definitively address the "Path from Victims to Victors."

In 288 pages of tightly-written, well-crafted material, Cosby and Poussaint address, in turn, the topics of: "What's Going on with Black Men," "It Takes a Community," "We All Start Out As Children," The Media You Deserve," "Healthy Hearts and Minds," "The High Price of Violence," and "From Poverty to Prosperity." Simply reading these chapter titles demonstrates that "Come on People" holistically addresses the social ills of a people, wisely looking both at individual responsibility and societal/cultural influences.

From the very beginning, their words are riveting. "For the last generation or two, as our communities dissolved and our parenting skills broke down, no one has suffered more than our young black men. Your authors have been around long enough and traveled widely enough to, to think we understand something about the problem. And we're hopeful enough--or desperate enough--to think that with all of us working together we might find a solution" (p. 1).

Indeed, "Come on People: On the Path from Victims to Victors" is the single best modern book providing a solution to the problems facing a race and a nation. While an honest book, it is not a negative book. That is, it looks honestly at the negative factors influencing people today, while looking beyond the negative to positive answers and practical solutions.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of
Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction .

As an author and an educational consultant teaching self control for almost 35 years, I have often thought: "Does anyone see what's happening to our culture? Have we all become numb to the violence and dysfunction that we see and hear about every day?" Bill Cosby and Dr. Poussaint have come up with a book that is a phenomenon that will be around forever. It works on so many levels for all ages and calls for all of us to take personal responsibility. Their examples come from history, every day experiences, voices from people around the country and the combined expertise of the authors. This book is unlike any I have ever seen because it combines a balance of so many areas and weaves into a tapestry that shouts Come On People...., helping people help themselves to become victors instead of victims. After reading this book I've had sleepless nights not worrying about the culture, but for the first time, from the excitement and ecstasy of someone telling it like it is, challenging us, and helping us help ourselves. However the real challenge is up to each and every one of us to make a difference in ourselves and others. I know this book sounds too good to be true but it really is true. You can pick up this book at any point and have an "Aha" moment. I cannot thank Dr. Poussaint and Dr. Cosby for all they have done in waking all of us up to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.


Jon Oliver
Author
Lesson One: The ABCs of Life: The Skills We All Need but Were Never Taught

Like the old adage goes - "the truth hurts". And whenever someone is presented with the truth, he/she has two options: 1) either accept the truth, learn, take action and change on it; or 2) ignore the truth, stay in denial, do nothing, blame others and live with your present and future circumstances. Unfortunately, black America has opted for number 2 for the past 25 years and what we're witnessing now is the devastation that black families and black communities is suffering as a result of ignoring hard truths about ourselves for far too long. And this is exactly the point that Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint is addressing in their compelling new book "Come On, People".

First off, let's make it clear that this book is in no way an attack on the poor. But it is an attack on poor habits, poor thinking, poor decisions, poor parenting, poor self-control, poor self-image, poor grades, poor ambition and other self-destructive behaviors that are running rampant within the black community, especially poor black communities. This book is essentially an analysis of the self-imposed problems facing African-Americans today (notwithstanding the evils of racism and discrimination that continue to exist) and what we (African-Americans) can do for ourselves to make our own lives, families, and communities better, safer and stronger. It is a common-sense approach to eradicating the cancers that are killing us from within (violence, crime, drug use, out-of-wedlock births, fatherless-ness, etc.).

The "messengers", Cosby and Poussaint start off by presenting some alarming statistics about black men in America. You'll have to read the entire book to get the full gist of them, but as a black male myself, here's one example that I personally find the most vile among them all: "94% of all black people who are murdered are murdered by other black people". Any intelligent, reasonable African-American has to speak up and ask "why are we killing ourselves and why aren't black "leaders" saying anything about it?" [I'm sorry, but racism doesn't make you kill your "homie" over some sneakers, Ipod, leather jacket, his girlie or some other dumb reason.]

The authors go on to identify the root cause of some of these statistics and bring to light the real truth, unapologetically and without placing all responsibility on white people. And while not intended to be the panacea to all of our problems, they offer some practical, positive steps or suggestions that everyone can take to move "from victims to victors", regardless of household income, education or family background. These include strengthening our communities, teaching/nurturing our children, ending domestic violence, being financially responsible, entertaining ourselves with positive books, music, movies and media, caring for our health (before we get sick) and other important things. Each chapter also has real-life examples and success stories dubbed "Call Outs" and "Life Lessons" from various black entrepreneurs, doctors, entertainers, common people and historical figures to serve as inspiration for succeeding against the odds.

Interestingly (and tactfully so) Cosby makes no mention of his biggest critic and nemesis - you know, that fast-talking intellectual joker who wrote that book attacking Cosby a few years ago for "airing dirty laundry" about blacks in front of white America - in this book. I'm glad Cosby took the high road instead of responding to personal attacks.

I strongly recommend this important book for blacks, whites and anyone who is tired of covering up the truth and living in denial. Clearly, this book will offend the "poverty pimps" and "victim vipers" who want to wallow in self-pity and victimhood perpetually, but the truth must be told and we can't afford to not act on it any longer. Come On People, please read this book now!

Bravo to Cosby and Poussaint for publishing this much needed work. Unlike the intellectuals and scholars who deride these men for being old fuddy duddies or being part of an `afristocracy,' the authors have no problem speaking the truth no matter how unpleasant. And the truth is indeed unpleasant. Today, while there are marches over the symbolic offense of rope hanging from trees and door knobs, 94% of all blacks murdered are killed by other blacks. This is unbelievably tragic. But as their sub-title states, Cosby and Poussaint offer a litany of self-help strategies for communities and individuals to rise from the paralyzing state of victimhood to victory.

This self-help guide is sorely needed. Many parts of the black community are like urban versions of William Golding's `Lord of the Flies', with waves of children born into neighborhoods without the norms and values of civilization. Don't believe me? Read the `call outs' in the book, which are testimonials from men and women the authors met during their tour of black communities. There's no point in lamenting over how or why this happened. The authors do quip that while blacks were thinking about the white man, blacks stopped thinking about the black man; however, they are primarily concerned with offering real tangible advice to those who desperately need tools to command control over their lives.

Their voice throughout the book is both fatherly (you can almost hear Cosby shouting in you ear `Come on People!') and authoritative of academically and professionally learned men. They also speak as loving elders within the African-American community, reminding their audience of the heroic legacy they've inherited from their forefathers.

They cover subjects such as prenatal care, child rearing, mental and physical wellness, education, finances, confronting crime, etc. Interestingly much of what they say is today considered counter-cultural. They assert that black children must speak `Standard English', boys are different from girls, two parent families with a married mother and father are ideal, abstinence is better than a condom, etc. Thank goodness these guys don't care about whatever Viacom says is fashionable.

There is a ting of sadness that these men, at this point in their lives, needed to write a book like this. It didn't need to be this way but life must be faced not as it ought to be but as it is, with the desire to change life for the better. As such, Cosby and Poussaint have written an impassioned, highly informative guide offering individuals something they may never have thought possible to attain: hope.

Bill Cosby talks common sense and creates a much needed dialogue in America about the crisis in the black community and for that matter most of the inner city. He explains that five out of six children were born into a two-parent home in 1950 versus less than two out of six today. He goes on to write that there are whole blocks without a responsible male to watch over wayward sons. Without the "complete" family and in particular the father figure, boys go from bad behavior to worse once they enter school and even more so once they reach their teenage years and are void of any role models and authority figures they respect.

Cosby goes on to advise people to avoid the victim mentality that keeps so many people from taking full responsibility for their own lives and placing it on the system. The book covers ideas on disciplining the children; how to inspire them; how to save the schools and helpful tips, such as keeping TVs out of the bedrooms.

Mr. Cosby is writing things that are only controversial amongst the most "progressive" individuals of our society. Here are a few important ones:
"Parenting works best when both a mother and a father participate..... A house without a father is a challenge. A Neighborhood without fathers is a catastrophe, and that's just about what we have today."
"There is another thing that little boys don't do any more: go to church." Church was a place where "we learned self-control, and we knew the consequences if we didn't."
"When the boys are suspended or expelled-admit it, parents- there is usually a good reason."
"One of the advantages that African-American kids have over most people in the world is the ability to speak English. It's the international language of business. To be a success on the globe, you have to speak it. But we're letting this advantage slip away too. Many of our kids don't want to speak English."
"Ninety-four percent of all black people who are murdered are murdered by other black people."

There are so many good quotes on the book and so many inspirational solutions that it makes it difficult to summarize such good information. Read the book, it's worth it.

Mr. Cosby book is relevant for ALL parents, since the problem, although more marked in the black community is pervasive in society at large. He says things that need to be said and that are unfortunately being largely ignored by the so called "black leaders". These "black leaders" are more interested in perpetuating the victim mentality that allows them to stay relevant, then fixing the problem.

The rise of out of wedlock children is largely due to the strong presence of the government in the lives of its citizens. In many cases, government programs have, unfortunately, taken the place of the father, from an economic standpoint and thus have eliminated his need to be a provider and his much needed example, especially for young boys. It is ironic that the same programs that were promulgated as beneficial to the inner cities and minorities have held those same people back and have created a dependency and an addiction that is hard to break. There are success stories, to be sure, with such programs, but the overall effect on society as a whole, and minorities in particular, has been disastrous.

Dr. Cosby has written a very important book and I believe it is a necessary read for anyone looking to understand the core problems with the fabric of society. Enjoy!

This book is a wonderful and truthful read. Much obliged!!!! Bill Cosby has not changed the position he has always held as an African-American man; to help uplift the Black race from an educational standpoint. There are few Blacks alive that have helped more Blacks in more different ways than Bill Cosby. This book should be required reading for all African-American youth between the ages of 15 and 21.

Bill Cosby and Alvin Pouissant are truly "national treasures" - courageous, articulate, determined and profoundly committed to our nation's future. They deserve a much wider audience, and not just in the African-American community.

People who read this book will have a much better understanding of the struggles facing today's African-American families, both external and internal. The authors pull no punches. They aren't politically correct or afraid to address even the most sensitive issues. We're talking money, crime, education, violence, self-image, health, nutrition, child-rearing and much much more.

Each mini-chapter is relatively short (2 to 5 pages), making this book easy to read and ideal for quick reference. The writing style is accessible and inspiring, without losing that famous Cosby "edge" that demands our attention.

So why should someone like me read this book, anyway? Aren't I just another Anglo male member of the ruling oligarchy? Ummm...Not really. Nobody in Washington (or City Hall) calls my house for advice. I don't own a private jet or a condo in St. Barts. Fact is we live in a highly integrated neighborhood in a small industrial city in the Midwest. If I want my community to succeed, then I MUST care about my neighbors and their children - white, black, purple or polka-dot.

As Dr. King said 45 years ago: "We must learn to live together as brothers, or we will perish together as fools." Cosby and Pouissant are leading the way.

NOTE: For a recent statistical snapshot of the African-American population, visit this Census Bureau PDF report on the Web: http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/p20-541.pdf It's packed full of helpful facts and data that reinforce the ideas presented in this book.