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Should Bill Cosby be putting his money into saving inner city youth instead of criticizing their plight?

It is sad that Bill Cosby is so critical of the inner city communities while giving millions of dollars to black colleges. Why not promote "Hooked on Phonics" and open positive learning centers for afterschool activities. Instead of pointing to the messs, get in there and use his years of experience, financial resources, and Hollywood clout to make a BIG difference. If he can make us eat "Jello Pudding", he can influence inner city families to raise their standards. Lead by example, not criticism. A little love and encouragement, to a child who needs it, goes a long way.

Public Comments

1. he donates a ton to organizations that help inner city youth.. the way to fix society is to start by educating them
2. right... seriously... I think the advocacy is good, but then put your money where your mouth is Look at The Pope. He is a billionaire living in a palace and the world is full of poor people with no access to the basics
3. well. I think everyone should be doing this. Bill Cosby probably does to some extent. He seems like the type who would be helping out.
4. It's his money, he doesn't HAVE to give it to anyone. You shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth!!!
5. Cosby does give a lot of money away. He knows that education is the best way to improve people's chance at a good life. As for his comments, he is just telling it the way he sees it and the way most educated adults feel. Hooked on Phonics isn't any better at getting kids to read than any other good program. The problem is not the program used to teach. The problem is parents who don't care, parents who don't discipline, parents who don't expect anything from their child, parents who expect their child to end up just like them, parents who don't respect their children and don't expect their children to respect anyone else, parents who don't parent assuming others will do it for them, parents who don't prepare their children for school, parents who don't read to their children, parents who don't take their children anywhere or give them experiences, parents who have way too many children and can't provide adequately for them. Parents who teach their child to disrespect anyone of a different race, including their teacher, parents who defend everything their child says or does no matter what it is.
6. Cosby is in a great position to do what he's doing. If he were any other race everybody would be calling him a racist. Well the problem is not necessarily with the rest of the world and someone needs to say so. People who are minorities and living in poverty have a lot of their own housekeeping to get taken care of before there is any chance of success. (I've lived in the worst part of Detroit and have seen it first hand) Instead what I see is a lot of complaining, entitlement, and belief that things should just be given to them. Some of my former neighbors were amazed to learn that I (as a white person) ever had troubles making rent...like somehow being white entitles you to free rent? It is those kind of beliefs that eat the poor, African American population alive. Think about the tremendous odds against making it that the Vietnamese refugees had when they arrived in the US in the early/mid 70's. They had no money. They didn't know the culture, the language, have family resources, or any other thing. On top of it, there was significant prejudice against them (after having just been in a horrible war) Amazingly the majority of them figured it out...without any Hollywood influences, positive role models, or financial resources. So screw the coddling and encouragement...a little butt kicking is in order. Go Cosby!
7. bill cosby should just sit in his rockin chair
8. I heard Bill Cosby on the news one night and I had to agree with him. The comments he made, while intended for young blacks, could be aimed at more than a few white people and other races. I don't think he was targeting all black youth, just those who needed to hear the comments. I agreed with him when he said if young men can send out their sperm, then they should be able to step up to the plate when the babies are born. This was not meant for all young black males, just those who don't bother with their children. It also could apply to many other races and males.
9. Frankly, no. What good is throwing money at this problem? This is a moral issue. It requires a change in values and attitudes, not money. And this change is something only the persons with the problem can make, with encouragement from others. The Cos is doing the right thing--bringing attention to the problem, or "pulling coats" so that they will do something about it. Bill Cosby is using his clout, not his money--it is not necessary, to encourage youth everywhere to check themselves. And, that's a good thing! (Imagine him not being concerned about youth at all, like everything is o.k.) The Cos is enraged, and so am I. All the best, Fay