CYNTHIA TUCKER COMMENTARY: Cosby's Pointed Remarks May Spark Much-Needed Debate

Commentary (Yahoo! News)

The liberal Ms. Tucker upbraids Howard University for not releasing a transcript (or video) of Bill Cosby's controversial speech, as it's still huffy that he used its podium to discuss ills of some black folks. Key quotes:

"But much of black America, especially its middle class, is ready to have that conversation. In that sense, Cosby's speech was a watershed event -- a sign that black America is now comfortable enough with its accomplishments to discuss its shortcomings. 'Perhaps Bill did us a favor,' says NAACP President Kweisi Mfume, who attended the ceremony, 'and more people will now be prepared to step forward. It'll be a tough-love conversation, whether or not people want to have it. And it will take opinion leaders to say those things that should be said.'

"But isn't it about time that black Americans acknowledge that, at the dawn of the 21st century, personal responsibility has at least as much to do with success in modern America as race? Isn't it only fair to note that the landmark Supreme Court ruling of 50 years ago did roll back much of systemic racism?"

She mentions that many blacks have squirmed from Cos's remarks not because they disagree (probably not, seeing how it's discussed among black folks all the time) but they don't wanna give fodder to white conservatives. Ms. Tucker says ignore white folks and focus on the challenges of the post-civil-rights era. Well said, Ms. Tucker. It's good to see conservatives, moderates, and liberals stepping up and backing Bill Cosby's truth-telling. Hopefully, we'll see more pressure on black youth to drop TV and pick up more books, crackdowns on illegitimacy and fatherlessness, improve the speech and carry themselves with pride, strategies to increase black businesses and investment, and these raunchy videos trying to pass for "black culture." Stage II is on its way!