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QUESTIONS FOR MICHAEL ERIC DYSON Bill Cosby's Not Funny
NY Times ^ | March 27, 2005 | DEBORAH SOLOMON

Posted on 03/27/2005 8:16:08 AM PST by ken21

QUESTIONS FOR MICHAEL ERIC DYSON Bill Cosby's Not Funny Interview by DEBORAH SOLOMON

Published: March 27, 2005

Q Your new book is a rhetorical screed against Bill Cosby, and the title alone is not exactly subtle: ''Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?''

When a comedian throws a pie in the face of a powerful person, it's funny. When he throws a pie in the face of a homeless mother with three kids, that's not very funny.

You're referring to Cosby's recent harangue about lower-income black people, whom he faults for neglecting their children, wasting money on expensive sneakers and glamorizing ghetto culture.

It's his Blame-the-Poor Tour. He should pick on someone in his own class. If he had come out swinging at Condi Rice or Colin Powell, they could defend themselves. But he's beating up on poor black people, the most vulnerable people in this nation. And why jump on them?

On the other hand, many of us feel that his comments represent an admirable attempt at self-criticism and apply not only to blacks but also to whites in a consumer culture that has run amok.

Here's the irony: Mr. Cosby has been a supreme pitchman for American corporate capitalism for nearly 40 years. Had he come along now, he himself might have been promoting some gym shoes.

I actually found your book alarmingly unbalanced. How can you write 200-plus pages on Bill Cosby without detailing the millions of dollars he has donated to colleges and other good causes?

I think I mention his $20 million gift to Spelman College. It's a well-known fact. There's no need to repeat it.

But he has given to so many other black causes.

There's a dark underside to philanthropy. People who give a bunch of money are deferred to, even when they are wrong. The emperor cannot be shown to have no clothes.

You, yourself, as a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, know that Cosby's following is hardly based on his wealth. Why do you think the black middle class has been so moved by his call for individual responsibility?

Of course, taken in one sense, a lot of what he said we can agree with. None of us want our children to be murderers or thieves. But Cosby never acknowledges that most poor blacks don't have a choice about these things.

So, then, how much do you think individual will counts for our success or failure in life?

I don't believe in that kind of American John Wayne individualism where people pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Someone changed your diapers. And if that's the case, you ain't self-made.

You seem to be of the Hillary Clinton ''it takes a village'' school of thinking.

Yes. But Hillary borrowed that from black people! In fact, it's an African proverb. And my ambition didn't grow out of nowhere. It was planted in me by a community that nurtured me.

Can you tell us something about that community?

I'm 46. I grew up in Detroit. I was a teen father. I lived on welfare for three years. I have a brother serving life in prison, though I believe he's innocent. He's in for second-degree murder.

Why do you think you were able to succeed when your brother could not?

My talent was more easily identifiable.

Which talent is that?

My talent for oratory, for running my mouth.

In light of that, might you arrange to debate Cosby publicly in the near future?

He doesn't do that. And that, to me, is part of the problem.

Have you ever met him?

No. I talked to him one time on the phone, and it was not a hateful conversation.

Will you send him a copy of your book and inscribe it affectionately?

Sure. As our friends in the Cosa Nostra say: This is business. It's not personal.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: billcosby; blacks; cosby; dyson
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Comment #21 Removed by Moderator

To: mhking

mhking wrote:



He exposes his faulty thinking with a statement like this. Everyone has choices, regardless of what idiots like Tyson might think.




Yes. I agree completely.

And Happy Easter to you and yours!


22 posted on 03/27/2005 9:06:19 AM PST by tiamat (Some days, it's not even worth chewing through the restraints.)
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To: kennedy6979

I watched the 'State of the Black Union' farce on CSPAN. I saw all of Dyson's babble that I needed to see.


23 posted on 03/27/2005 9:07:41 AM PST by cyborg (Sudanese refugee,"Mr.Schiavo I disagree with your opinion about not feeling pain when you starve.")
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To: laredo44

even his empathic interviewer was having some heart burn at this point.

si.


24 posted on 03/27/2005 9:07:54 AM PST by ken21 ( if you didn't see it on tv, then it didn't happen. /s)
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Comment #25 Removed by Moderator

To: dfwddr
Why take care of yourself, when, as the 'rats believe, everyone else in society will cover for you.

They believe it's society's obligation to support those who won't support themselves, not just those who can't.

26 posted on 03/27/2005 9:16:31 AM PST by infidel29 ("It is only the warlike power of a civilized people that can give peace to the world."- T. Roosevelt)
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To: mhking

I couldn't believe this line! This is so insulting. Poor people "ust don't know the difference" between right and wrong? I guess that means that rich people must be the most moral people in our society. Yep, like Ted Kennedy.


27 posted on 03/27/2005 9:18:20 AM PST by boop (Testing the tagline feature!)
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Comment #28 Removed by Moderator

To: mhking
Of course, taken in one sense, a lot of what he said we can agree with.

Emphasis on we, since when can a professor at the University of Pennsylvania speak for middle class blacks in America? He sounds like a cop at an accident scene. "Nothing to see here, move along." Cosby spoke out at a section of society that he more readily represents than others, but rather than backing up his message, black democrats and race baiters condemn the messenger and his message. Telling their constituents don't listen to him, he doesn't know what's good for you, "you don't know no better."

29 posted on 03/27/2005 9:37:15 AM PST by infidel29 ("It is only the warlike power of a civilized people that can give peace to the world."- T. Roosevelt)
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To: ken21
Most of the quotes in the article are the most racist things I've heard, and that includes anything the klan or nazis have ever said.
30 posted on 03/27/2005 9:39:41 AM PST by 11Bush
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To: ken21
So Dyson grew up in poverty, fathered a child as a teen yet somehow got an education and "made it" in white America.......... so if he's saying that poor blacks have no control over their situation does this mean Dyson's education and job were just handed to him? He didn't have to work hard in school to earn his education? He didn't have to apply for then work at his job?

Typical liberal spouting one thing while reality is another.

31 posted on 03/27/2005 9:45:30 AM PST by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
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To: ken21
[Q]: In light of that, might you arrange to debate Cosby publicly in the near future?
[A]: He doesn't do that. And that, to me, is part of the problem.

Is it true that cosby has never publicly debated? From what little attention I've paid to him, I've the impression that he's only 'tooted his own horn' onstage. True?

32 posted on 03/27/2005 11:36:00 AM PST by solitas (So what if I support a platform that has fewer flaws than yours? 'Mystic' dual 500 G4's, OSX.3.7)
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Comment #33 Removed by Moderator

To: ken21

More proof that libs hate the truth, as if it was needed.


34 posted on 03/27/2005 1:13:40 PM PST by ozzymandus
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To: kennedy6979
A critical discussion (i.e. debate) of his opinions would determine if in fact:
A) he believes what he says and can intelligently back up his statements
B) he's tooting his own horn and saying what gets him publicity (i.e. 'in the news')
C) he's a (paid?) pawn for another
35 posted on 03/27/2005 1:43:13 PM PST by solitas (So what if I support a platform that has fewer flaws than yours? 'Mystic' dual 500 G4's, OSX.3.7)
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To: solitas

And your point is?


36 posted on 03/27/2005 1:44:29 PM PST by cyborg (Sudanese refugee,"Mr.Schiavo I disagree with your opinion about not feeling pain when you starve.")
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To: solitas
Is it true that cosby has never publicly debated? From what little attention I've paid to him, I've the impression that he's only 'tooted his own horn' onstage. True?

During one of Bill Cosbys impromptu lectures Jessie Jackson was on stage with him looking rather constipated. He didn't challenge Cosby at the time.

BTW what's this debate supposed to consist of? Cosby telling black people to accept responsibility for themselves and Jessie Jackson telling them to blame George Bush?

37 posted on 03/27/2005 1:59:22 PM PST by bad company (this space for rent)
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To: cyborg
Read #32. He goes up on stage and spouts-off. Great. Lots do that. BUT, irregardless of people agreeing with him or not, DOES he believe and understand what he's saying, IS he out for shallow publicity, or IS he a tool for someone else's purpose?

What. Are. His. True. Motives. For. Saying. What. He's. Saying? If he can understand and defend his points under scrutiny then he's got a lot more believability than just doing a monologue and walking-off.

38 posted on 03/27/2005 2:07:00 PM PST by solitas (So what if I support a platform that has fewer flaws than yours? 'Mystic' dual 500 G4's, OSX.3.7)
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To: ken21
But he's beating up on poor black people, the most vulnerable people in this nation.

What planet is this guy from?

39 posted on 03/27/2005 2:07:19 PM PST by JoeSixPack1
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To: solitas

i have no idea, sorry.

i haven't paid attention to the cosby family since mrs. cosby got tammy bruce fired from kfi am 640 in los angeles about 6 years ago.

all tammy did was say the obvious--that any person changing a tire in the dark on the 405 might be victimized by thugs, regardless of their skin color.

this angered mrs. cosby, whose son was murdered by a crazed russian immigrant. mrs. cosby said "america's a racist country". then she used her husband's name and billionaire status to get tammy fired.


40 posted on 03/27/2005 2:24:07 PM PST by ken21 ( if you didn't see it on tv, then it didn't happen. /s)
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