Is Bill Cosby Right?

I was at the library today and came upon what I decided would be the latest addition to my self-imposed book list. Is Bill Cosby Right? (Or Has The Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?). At first glance, I thought the book by Michael Eric Dyson was in support of Cosby's position. Once I got home and read the inside flap (something I normally do before deciding on any book), I realized Dyson's book was an argument against Cosby's view.

I remember when I first heard the report of Cosby's statements, I thought, 'that's right, right on.' However, when I read through the introduction of Dyson's book, I realized that I hadn't gotten the entire text of Cosby's statements, verbatim. It turns our that I had to apply some critical thinking to what Cosby had said, and also re-examine some of his motives that do or may reside in myself.

Cosby, I believe was correct in pointing out that personal habits or/and lifestyles of Black American families contribute to their plight. However, the same (as Dyson pointed out) can be said for any non-Black family as well. Also, systemic (i.e.: political, legal, and socio-economical) issues also play a key role in keeping the 'lack' in Black when it comes to public education, family stability, and viable employment. There are other sources on the Web (not to mention off-line) that get into greater depth on the above issues, so I will digress.

To Dyson point, I do believe Black elitism is alive and well, as is shame for those Blacks who chose or can't help but be ghettofabulous. I have been blessed as a Nigerian-American living in the Greater Boston area to live on both ends of the Red Line (subway). Ashmont (in the belly of Dorchester) is very demographically different from Harvard (in the heart of Cambridge). I am as cozy with giving a brother a pound and a 'whaz'zup dog' as I am nodding to a fellow Cantabridgian with a smile and a 'good morning."

In the end, I feel there is room for all Blacks to get theirs, whether they're from Cambridge or from Dorchester. We need to understand how similar and different our lives are, and then embrace those things. When I see my nieces and nephew fully wrapped up in the hip-hop cultures wardrobe and diction, my only concern is that they realize that what is 'cool' isn't always the same as what gets you where you want or need to go.

I pray that we don't abandon each other out of shame or contempt.