Author Topic: Bill Cosby on the need to speak 'English' (Read 2799 times)

midnight Target · « **Reply #75 on:** May 24, 2004, 04:22:31 PM »

Yep Rook.

looked at the active and inactive roster (goes way back to AWFW days) and no Ed561.

SoulzofAW3 · « **Reply #76 on:** May 24, 2004, 06:46:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lazs2
no one has said that "all blacks" do anything. The fact of the matter is that many blacks don't speak english that is recognizble or that sounds halfway bright.

You don't like whites discussing it? too frioggin bad. We will talk about whatever we want. We can still do that, sort of, in this country. Your whining about it puts me off... and a lot of white folks if you want to know but....

even tho I am 100 % white (so far as I know) I don't pretend to know what all white rfolks think.

Thing is... most of us agree but some of us let our sensitivity get in the way.

lazs

Some people.............

Carry on............

jetb123 · « **Reply #77 on:** May 25, 2004, 02:32:30 AM »

SoulzofAW3 is right just cause we African Americans talk slang doesnt mean we are ignorant. Do you guys know that dude,ratical,rad,cool, etc. All those words are slang mostly used by Causians,but we dont say you they are ignorant cause off that it's just a better way to talk we are not the only race that talks slang. Also instead off just talking about us wont you guys get up and do somthing about it. Not like Bill Cosby trying to do nothing he probally said that for publictity:rolleyes:

capt. apathy · « **Reply #78 on:** May 25, 2004, 02:41:59 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by jetb123
it's just a better way to talk

I guess. if you consider perpetuating stereotypes about intellect, and interfering with your ability to get employment on par with your abilities "better".

I could be out of line. does "better" now have a different meaning than the one I grew up with?

Bill Cosby had some excellent advice to any who would care to listen.

you look at all of your successful American Blacks (with the exception of some performers who don't really have to deal with people in the business world). the one thing that they all have in common in that they all can speak English clearly.

there's nothing wrong with knowing how to speak slang. but if you don't know when or how to turn it off, you are crippling yourself, Cosby was just trying to point it out to you.

Thrawn · « **Reply #79 on:** May 25, 2004, 04:03:41 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by jetb123
Not like Bill Cosby trying to do nothing

Bill has given like a bajillion educational charities and universites. Including founding the Ennis William Cosby Foundation with his wife.

I think slang is fine, as long as it's used in a appropriate setting. AH jargon, for when you are playing or discussing AH with people that are playing and discussing AH. Ebonics for when you are socialising with friends, family or what have you.

But if you only know how to speak AH jargon or Ebonics, then you are going to get ****ed when you use in an inappropriate setting, such as a professional one.

lazs2 · « **Reply #80 on:** May 25, 2004, 08:37:54 AM »

if you are speaking like a moron and then can't figure out why people shun and dislike you... then you are indeed ignorant.

pooor widddle black boys... nobody understands you.

I find your black culture phony and silly. I can't help it... that is what it appears to be. Not only that but I liken it to shooting yourself in the foot.

Now, you may not like my opinion but a lot of people hold it. even the pandering liberals think you are silly once they get away from you. They are just as phony as you are.

I may be wrong for feeling the way I do but there really is no right and wrong in this case only what is. I feel a lot more inclined to likeing a black person who acts more like everyone else than one who has 10- generations of American citizenship and pretends to be apart.

lazs

midnight Target · « **Reply #81 on:** May 25, 2004, 09:25:29 AM »

"your Black culture"

Do you mean celebrating African roots? Do you mean enjoying different music? What the heck are you talking about here lazs?

My grandparents were Italian. Their house looked like an Italian house. They enjoyed Italian music and hobbies. They spoke better Italian than English. They ate Italian, excuse me, great Italian food. No one gave them grief for acting this way.

lazs2 · « **Reply #82 on:** May 25, 2004, 09:32:43 AM »

None of these people we are talking about speak african. The "culture" has nothing to do with their roots and most have no idea what africa is about... if they did they would be ashamed to be part of it with it's history of slavery and genocide.

We aren't talking about african music and we aren't talking about 1st or second generation Americans here.

My grandfather was from Scotland... he knew that to do well he had to fit in.. His dad would beat his butt if he spoke with and accent... and accent that in those days was a good way to speak if you liked to fail.

I think you know the difference. The current "black culture" is a culture based on Americans seperating themselves from the mainstream... it has nothing to do with africa.

lazs

stiehl · « **Reply #83 on:** May 25, 2004, 09:50:21 AM »

Is it Americans seperating themselves from the mainstream or the result of Americans not being allowed to be a part of mainstream until recently?

lazs2 · « **Reply #84 on:** May 25, 2004, 09:57:45 AM »

makes no difference really...

well... that's not entirely true.. If you are seperated out of society it is even more important to tryu to fit in.

making an effort to seperate yourself when you have no real power or numbers is for fools.

lazs

stiehl · « **Reply #85 on:** May 25, 2004, 10:07:32 AM »

Trying to fit in got people beaten and lynched for being a uppity n*****or ch*** or k*** or whatever. Banding together was the only way to survive. So now we have a bunch of cultures within the American Culture.

What is "mainstream" society anyway? What does a person have to do to fit in??

AKIron · « **Reply #86 on:** May 25, 2004, 10:11:05 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by stiehl
Trying to fit in got people beaten and lynched for being a uppity n*****or ch*** or k*** or whatever. Banding together was the only way to survive. So now we have a bunch of cultures within the American Culture.

What is "mainstream" society anyway? What does a person have to do to fit in??

Now we're back to Bill Cosby's point. He said that a lot of people endured rock throwing so that they could fit in and get an education to better themselves. His anger is directed at those pissing it away.

lazs2 · « **Reply #87 on:** May 25, 2004, 10:17:23 AM »

very emotional but lousy arguement...

martin luther king spoke perfect english and wore suits and talked about fitting in. He did more to sway whites than a thousand malcom x's.

how has rap and ebonics furthered race relations? As a white man I find both alternately silly and disgusting. I am not alone... sorry... that's just the way it is. I feel the same way about purple and green spikey hair and nose rings and multiple peircings...

I spent my youth on a Harley.. back when we weren't 'quite" as accepted... I understood the animosity toward me... When I wanted out of that dead end I changed. Admitedly, I didn't have to change my skin color but some of my nazi tattoos are/were pretty offputting to some but... if I spoke clearly and wasn't sullen and dressed non threateningly... people responded. In fact they were relieved it seems... I think the same thing applies to anyone.

lazs

jay1988 · « **Reply #88 on:** May 26, 2004, 03:14:58 PM »

It pisses me off when white people think all blacks talk "slang". I'm Black and I talk without using "Slang".

midnight Target · « **Reply #89 on:** May 26, 2004, 04:14:28 PM »

OTOH...

I was listening to some talk radio the other day and the guy was asking Black folks to call in and give their feelings on the Cosby quote.

I realize they screen calls, but almost to a person this was the sentiment: "Cosby is right of course, but he shouldn't have said it in public", or "I agree with him, but he should have kept it in the family".

Family? Public? Daayyaam! If he's right it shoud be shouted from the freakin rooftops and broadcast repeatedly until people listen!