Russell Tells Bill To Sit Down and Stop Downing the Youth
Posted by Bossip Staff
Russell Simmons recently went in on Bill Cosby who blasted the youth about being too violent in a new CD titled “Bill Cosby Presents the Cosnarati: State of Emergency.” Flip the hood to see what Blood Diamond Russ had to say.
Russell said this in an open letter to Bill Cosby:
There are a lot of great entertainers who do great things. Bill Cosby is one of them. He has always used his voice to right what he thought was wrong. However, I believe that too often Mr. Cosby has wrongly placed the blame.
Bill Cosby is an example of someone from the older generation who has consistently blamed the poets and asked suffering community members to bear the full burden of guilt for the struggles that they endure. It is certainly not that he and the rest of the elders don’t care, because they do. In fact, their intentions are pure and good. All the things they say are actually true. What they don’t understand is that the young people who they criticize did not create their own realities. They did not create the crumbling education system that we school them in. They did not create the drug epidemic and drug wars that have resulted in a dysfunctional family structure. They did not create the health care crisis that does not treat them. They did not create the culture of violence that they fall victim to.
While it is true that each one of us can make a change at any moment, it is equally true that at every minute we are all doing the best we can. If you knew better, you would do better. Therefore, those who care and have resources could/should work to create the kind of support systems that could inspire change.
Insightful.
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RUSSELL STOP DOWNING THE WHITE CHICKS!!!
Bronze
Russel stop chopping down the white and asian chicks and making them rich.. look out for your own kind!!
I am so sick of Bill Cosby and his self hating BS he’s always yammering about. All he does is talk about what we should and shouldn’t be doing as a race. Putting us on front street, then the white reporters eat it up and say well Bill Cosby this and Bill Cosby that he don’t speak for *****ody but his damn self and FYI he is not perfect either so he should SDFU and go somewhere and be old!
Damn straight!!
Annnnnnndd…
Didn’t Bill Cosby’s own daughter get LOCKED UP because she was trying to get her own street justice for being abandoned by her father?
Yep. Guess she’s just one of those thugs that was bred out of a single parent home…. nice going Bill.
maybe if Russ stopped using the ‘N word on MTV and everywhere else I might listen to what he has to say….I am just about sick of Bill Cosby running his lips as well….stop talking and do something if the youth and Blacks in general are a dissapointment
Now thats how your suppose to speak upon a matter that affects us all, from a stand point of resolving the matter and not finger pointing. Tell Bill to take a pudding pop and shove it in his @$$
Very well said Russell. Mr. Cosby does mean well, but he often sounds like the crazy old man down the street who yells at you from walking on his gr*****.
My thing is, where is the Bill Cosby school? How about Cosby University . . . ? No to that one too huh? Well, if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem, right? Until Mr. excuse me, Dr. Cosby does more than talk about the short comings of inner city youth, I am not really interested in his opinion. He’s been rich for something like 4 decades. More than enough time to be influential. Hey Bill . . . Put up or shut up!
If Mr. Cosby don’t say anything who will. Russell Simmons makes money off of the youth degrading and disrespecting themselves. He makes money off of black people taking their whole checks and buying his clothes. The people that get offended by Mr. Cosby are the very ones he’s talking about. You don’t get offended by things that don’t offend you. And you don’t get offended by what he is saying unless you are the purpose for him having to come out and say these things.
You think these kids that are out here shooting up neighborhoods and terrorizing communities don’t come from good homes.
@Tropical English
She was trying to blackmail Cosby, and it turns out she was NOT his daughter. EPIC FAIL of information gathering on your part.
BTW, I live in Detroit, and when Cosby came to speak to the people, he also spoke about the responsibility of PARENTS, not just the youth. Get it right. Why can’t we as a people not handle the truth? Personal responsibility, no matter what your age or environment, is not a bad word. We’ve all heard the success stories of kids in jacked up neighborhoods taking responsibility for their own futures and making something of themselves. How many times do we have to hear them?
Go on back to the beach and finish your Thai-Chi session, Russell.
Bill Cosby is correct. We are the only race that will allow ourselves to be disrespected in the media and think that it’s ok and funny. IT’S NOT OK TO glorify the killing of young black men, IT’S NOT OK TO; glorify illegitimacy, illiteracy, drug selling and buffoonery. It’s not ok for daughters, mothers and grand mothers to turn on the tv and radio and be call b’s and h’s. DO YOU THINK FOR ONE MINUTE THAT JEW’S WOULD ALLOW ANOTHER OF THEIR FAITH TO DISRESPECT THEM IN THIS MANNER?
@Jer-Z Girl
When is Oprah opening up a school IN THE STATES or Russell??? Why just point the finger at Cosby?
I remember once Bill Cosby came to the Smithsonian for some kind of award or something yeeeeears ago…lol
At any rate, me and my schoolmate was watching him come in and all these kids and parents were waiting to greet him…he was all smiling and shalking everybody’s hands…blah, blah, blah…by the time he got to me?
I had my hand out for him to shake it…this dude walked right past me as if I didn’t exist.
My Bill Cosby days were over! He really has a thing against young Black men when he forgets he was once a young Black man himself in this country struggling to get noticed and make a way for himself…
Amen I agree with Russ for once…
Ok, but when are some of the rappers going to take some of the responsibility by continuing the ignorance.
1.The kids are too violent.
2.If you have the means and are no providing them with a outlet. ((STFU))
3.Last thing us or any violent youth need is a finger pointed at them. Counteract with some positivity. Thanks for that keen observation though Billy!
Anyway, I understand what Russell is saying but Bill is correct we have to be responsible for self. We as african-americans have dropped the ball. As a people, we have overcome way too much to let what has happen in our communities, happen. It’s a disgrace.
RUSSELL ONLY CARES ABOUT MAKING MONEY OF THESE RAPPERS THAT IS WHY HE DOES NOT WANT MR. COSBY TO SPEAK OUT. WELL, I HOPE THAT BILL COSBY CONTINUES TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THESE DETRIMENTS TO SOCIETY. THE YOUNG RAPPERS OF TODAY ARE A DISGRACE TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND TO THEMSELVES. BM NEED TO PULL THEIR PANTS UP, STAY IN SCHOOL, GO TO COLLEGE AND GET A JOB.
It’s a shame that bossip would only provide an “excerpt” of what Russ said in an effort to gin up some controversy between Russ and Dr. Cosby. Good try. ALL Please do not use Bossip as a means tp inform you of reality. Enjoy this eite for what it is. Pure gossip with a little bit of truth sprinkled in. And for the ill-informed, Dr. Cosby has done and continues to due a lot more than just talk in the black community. It’s shame you won’t criticize and share your opinion about him but you have no idea what this man does for our community day to day. Probably 100 times more than your glued to the internet a$$ will ever do in an lifetime. Sorry a$$e$!
I admire them both and both have valid things to say. I do feel that youhave to acknowledge you are a drug addict, alcholic, etc before you can actually effect change. If you don’t know, then somebody has to tell you. How about, Bill Tell “em and Russy, you come with the resolution.
SHUT UP BILL COSBY
No, the youth of today did not create the problem; however,many are not involved in the solution. Yesterday was Election Day. How many Blacks voted to make a difference on the level it matters – LOCAL GOVERNMENT! Mr. Cosby is entitled to his opinion as well as Russell. It’s time for a change and we as a community should contribute all that we can to make our community strong and vibrant. By the way Mr.Cosby has donated millions to Spelman College and Morehouse College.
@KeepNit2Real
WWWWOOOOOOOOWWWW can you hold a grudge or what? How long ago was this? How many other people had their hand out? Get over it and yourself. Please.
@ALPHA1906
Real opinion or you dislike him because he’s a Q-Dog? Please support your statements, A-Phi-A….
Yeah, Bill….stop downing the youth and make a pre-paid credit card like me!
Instead of teaching kids how to preserve money and budget it, I just keep them hooked on this ghetto ***** card that is really doing nothing for you! Yea!
Kiate la boca Russy!
Its funny how black people cant handle the truth, but claim to be so REAL?
Hmm….I gotta figure that equation out.
Why can’t people handle the truth?Everything that this man has said about blacks, youths and in between is the truth. I agree with everything he says.
And no Russy, the youth didnt create all those things you mentioned.
BUT….they choose to STILL fall victim, even when they are given opportunities and recources to get up out of their negative situation. No one has any real ambition to change.
Everyone is too worried about making it rain. LOL
SMH
Thank you miss dior!
Jeez……there is good and bad in every race, but hey, Bill puts our sh*t on BLAST and rightfully so.
Let’s stop looking at the leased cars, the fancy clothes, and the fake ballers who cant pay their bills and look at REAL underlying issues that are WAY more important than trying to be someone you’re not.
We as black people need to get some priorities together!
I agree with @bria and Mr. Cosby. Russell needs to sit the F**k down.
@Kami All Day
Yup, yup and yup! Agreed.
BTW, it’s ‘callate la boca’ sweets! lol You gave it a good try…lol
bill cosby need 2 fall back 4 real!!! these kids will eventually grow up…i was wild and crazy n da 90’s and now im relaxed…he’s not giving em a chance 2 find themselves
Bill Cosby should not sit down because he has a point. I do not think the youth should automatically get a p*****. And, what I’ve heard is that he puts both youth AND their parents to task with improving their lives.
I respect BDR’s comment that “those who care and have resources could/should work to create the kind of support systems that could inspire change”. I hope he’ll continue to do that, as he certainly has the means.
@Lady K:
LOL….thanks!! For being korean and black, I know a lil something! Obviously spanish was not my best subject. LOL
@Lady K:
But I DO know that thats the “slang” for callate…..*shrugs shoulders* go figure!
The youth ARE too violent, what the hell does he know? How old was Kimora when Russ scoped her out…14 years old, predator. He just doesn’t the even have the cl***** that Bill Cosby has, nor the intelligence or eloquence. All he did was curse on Rev. Runs Show and illustrate the buffoon that he is…da…da….da…Mumble-Mouth. He hangs around a bunch of young’ins trying to be young’ins, dresses and speaks like them too. Isn’t he in his 50’s/40’s? Bill went back to college after the Cosby Show and got his degree. The majority of people from his age dressed to the T, and were respectful, worked and made and effort, in their music, their way of living and how they lived. Bill has his faults also which he has stated, but he is one of the people that paved the way for many black artists and stood up for Civil Rights….not that Russ was/is not a success, but that success cannot be compared to Bill Cosby.
@lady K, as a South African I really don’t think Oprah should have opened her school here, even claiming that as South Africans we didn’t have public schools. It is a misplaced school that has had the most ‘drama’, but hey…I agree with you. She should stick to the States…We’ve got Afica.
‘But I DO know that thats the “slang” for callate…..*shrugs shoulders* go figure!’
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interesting…learn something new everyday!…
Correction: and made an effort…the youth of today are lazy and ignorant,not all, but many compared to his day. Just be truthful to yourselves, look around and see if Bill’s statements don’t ring true.
A lot people hate on Mr.Cosby..but the truth is the truth no matter what..it does start at home..cuz frankly I’m tired of lookin at little kids rappin a whole song but ask them to recite their alphabet or count to 100 they can’t. Stop trying to run from the truth or act like what he’s saying doesn’t have any validity..people say they can handle the truth but in reality they can’t deal with it..they get angry when the white man says the same thing but not as angry as when Mr. Cosby puts it out there..he’s been saying the same thing for years..people just don’t want or care to listen…it all starts at home folks
Bossip my comment is not excessive or inappropriate Im going to another blog cuz you worst then the white man.
@Lady K
Shut up =]
We as a community need to face reality its never going to be rose colored gl*****es and cyrstal stairs for us coming out like it has been for Russ and Bill’s children but what we have always been as a people is resilient and to ask these children to be any thing less is more damaging then Bill and anyone else who is asking us to stop making excuses. So Russ you can kiss highly educated, first generation born US, working cl***** not middle cl***** through hard work behind. I am who I am because my family and I value education which in this country is free so is a library card.
My college friend came from one of the worst neighborhoods in MD, was sexually *****aulted as a child, most of her adult family memebers were on drugs, dead or in jail, she could have been a statistic but one thing she did was to do well in school. She came from one of the worst school systems in MD, but she did well and studied hard, read everything she could and tried to learn more then what was taught. She received a scholarship to a well known private HS then to our college. She struggled but remained steadfast. She has a MS degree and is now a RN is Atl making money and being better then what she was born into. Drugs, failing school system and sexual abuse could have been her excuse too but she chose to rise above her cir*****stance and family nay-sayers.
I tried to explain to someone who is potty training a baby that you can’t get mad at the baby if they poop on the floor as soon as you take them off the pot: you know as an adult that you’re supposed to poop in the toilet and you know 10-20 minutes before you have to poop that you’re going to have to. A toddler doesn’t realize they have to poop until 10-20 seconds before they do and it feels right to poop standing up because they’ve always done it.
I don’t live in the hood. I’m college educated. I’m securely middle cl*****. It would be real easy to expect everyone in the hood to be just like me; not to curse in public, not to have children out of wedlock, not to care more about shoes than a college education, etc. but in reality, when you’re IN the situation and you’ve never been out, you don’t have the benefit of that other perspective. If you have $100 and the shoe store is up the block but the bank is two towns over, are you going to spend it or save it?
And that’s the problem with the Bills of the world. Aside from the generational gap, the economic one alienates people. If all of our kids had the exact same quality education, good housing, food, healthcare, ect. we would all be middle cl*****. We would do well on standardized tests and go on to college, etc. but if you’re hungry and you’re in the hood and you don’t see those magic “bootstraps” you’re supposed to be using to pull yourself up with, you’re going to eat first, spend your money on whatever is close enough for you to get to, and try to live like everyone else.
For every Bill there should be an “Uncle Russ” because there are at least two sides to every story. The problem with Bills of the country are they are interested in curing the symptoms and not the disease.
I’m convinced it takes a village. My mother had a Master’s degree and in the 80s we were in the hood eating government cheese like everyone else. Why? Because they’d see she was black and wouldn’t hire her. And under Reagan it’s not like they had to. I was able to do things I did with full support from my family and extended family…and that’s why so many people jokingly call Russell Simmons “Uncle Russ,” because he earned that title. Meanwhile Bill Cosby is “Bill Cosby.” Enough said.
That was wonderful – while acknowledging the positive in Cosby’s efforts he still was able to bring to his attention the negatives of addressing the young people so harshly. Cosby definitely is one who needs to be put in check from time to time – if he’s guilty of anything, its being a bit self-righteous from time to time. You go, Russell!
SHUT THE F*** UP RUSSELL!!
That’s what’s wrong with black folk, some of us don’t like to hear the truth..If we don’t live in truth how can we get better..I have no problem with anyone preaching the truth especially when it come to the education of out young people..Yeah it’s easy for rich, white women chasing c00ns like Russell to sit back and make stupid a$$ comments when your life is already set, you don’t have to face the scrutiny that these young black men face in society walking around speaking ebonics, pants sagging, cornrolls looking like damn fools..Russell’s chilling in his mansion with his snow bunnies sipping champagne while our young black men fall to the waste side..We have around 50% of our young people not graduating high school..Although Russell makes a valid point in his statement he doesn’t have the right to critize someone else’s comments either..In my opinion Russell represents the worse in our rich black men, the black man who aspires to be like their white male counterparts, to have his money, his women and his lifestyle.
Both Cosby and Russell have great points, but I feel it is my responsiblity as a parent to teach my children what they need to know. I have taught them to make good decisions, but if they know to do good and don’t. I did my job as a parent. We can’t get mad at the messenger BC is telling the truth it may hurt to hear it, but it is still the truth.
Russel is so fake. Bossip he even called you guys out yesterday. This is a man who thinks Amber Rose is God’s gift to men. He put odd stories on his blog and then point to the source like they said it. To justify it being on his so call positive uplifting blog. He Russel focus on the m*****es just like the rest of the gang so of course he is going to try to shut BC up.He would be taking food out of him and his white girls mouth. I wonder what his mamma look like and did her ug but scare him away from black women?
Bill just telling it how it is… Russell and some of others get offend because they were happy just blaming the white man for all blacks problems. =(
STEP BACK SIMMONS..YOUR YOGI ***** HAS NO BUSINESS MOUTHING OFF..YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE AND HAVE OTHING ON COSBY..HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH AND ALL YOU DO IS PREACH NONSENSE AND YOU HAVE A M*****IVE EGO YOU BRAGGART. MIND YOUR OWN FAMILY AND TEACH THAT OBNOXIOUS, ARROGANT THUG JOJO SOME HUMILTY..WHAT A SPOILED BRAT..YOU HAVE GONE CUCKOO EVER SINCE KIMORA DUMPED YOUR OLD BORING *****..NOW ALL YOU CAN DROOL OVER IS BOYISH SCARECROW MODELS WHO ARE ONLY WITH YOU FOR $$$$$$$..YOU ARE NO ROLE MODEL AND THE BEST THING YOU COULD DO IS GET INTO SOME DOWNWARD DOG WITH SOME YOUNG MEN..THAT IS MORE YOUR STYLE OLD MAN! TAKE YOUR HANG DOG FACE ELSEWHERE
As if anyone wants to listen to drivel from an arrogant old fool who *****ociates himself with lunatics like Tila Tequila..he is an embarr*****ment
I ALMOST TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH RUSSELL.
Perhaps Russell should take a stand along with Mr. Cosby instead of showing us his unattractive physique and the many women he chooses to date. Regardless, you would think one with children would support anything that would pertain to keeping other children safe. Apparently not.
Cosby gets on my nerves, he got by on cooniness acting as youth and thought it was funny, now when his ***** is old and grey, he wants to be a role model…what about when he was lacing chicks drinks at his home while Camille was away?, one chick woke up with her bra undone her pants unbuttoned and moist between her legs…he’s a dog and a hypocrite. Bill Cosby needs to sit his ***** down…..
I AMSOST TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH RUSSELL.
While there are some people who are victims of cir*****stances, there are a multitude of ‘us’ who choose the gangsta, hood, drug, baby momma/daddy, welfare, trifling ***** do nothing lives.
I grew up in a small L.A. neighborhood of 100% Black folk. A large portion (90% or more) were double-parent household; and many had stay at home moms. We had teen clubs, summer camps, and a very cohesive (to this day) neighborhood. I can not name one person who grew up needing, hell, most of us had everything we wanted. Guess what, with all of this I still grew up with people who chose to be in gangs, use drugs, not finish school and generally make nothing of their lives. I grew up to become an educator and see firsthand how the best intended education can not surp***** a kid’s lack of desire to learn; and ‘we’ are the most notorious group when it comes to being satisfied knowing rap songs but not cl***** text. Yes, we are jailed at a high rate, but we commit alot of crimes. We are the ONLY group that kill each other at a rate higher than every other nationality put together and I bet that we have the most single mother households (with the most baby daddies per house). I love my people, but fact is fact. There are certain places I CAN’T live because I have to consider the real possiblity of my nerdy 13-year-old being targeted by gangs for initiation or death. How many other groups are being kept out of areas because of their own people?
Blacks need to stop coddling the youth and their triffling parents. Our music needs to speak of something other than sex and bling. We need to frown upon baby daddies and mommas and lift up parents. To deny that we are a screwed up group of people is why we can’t ever work to begin problem solving. Every other group knows we have issues, why must we deny the truth. I respect Cosby because he speaks the truth. Would you rather it come from “the white man”?
I always said if I had extra income I would buy a billboard with a picture of a Klansman and the statistics of Black on Black killings. The billboard would read, “Thanks for doing our work”
STFU, Russell! The end.
Dam!! How can we change with people like Russell Simmons defending all the negativity that is out there!! Russell dont give a shi t because he makes money off it!! Bill is telling the truth!!! He has nothing to gain but plenty to lose by saying all these true thngs!! Some black people dont like to hear the truth!! we are all doomed!!
I’ve always had empathy for people suffering “hood-life” problems, and I still do. But, I must say that the experiences in my life changed my outlook. I grew up in “the hood”, but my parents provided me with better opportunities and a different way of thinking. When I attended private school (predominantly white), I noticed the differences b/t the economic situation/cir*****stances of my cl*****mates and those in the hood that I lived around. So, I always viewed the actions/problems of the hood to be primarily issues of “economics”. However, later in high school, I wanted to go to school w/more black kids, and I was able to convince my mother to allow me to attend an “alternative” school (that’s a college-prep school where I’m from, not a school for “bad” kids). The school was about half-white/half-black. Anyway, when I was able to observe the “cool/down” black kids, I noticed that they didn’t care about learning, they were rude/unkind, and they just didn’t take much initiative to succeed. My perspective on black people/problems changed DRAMATICALLY. I dropped my interest in developing a “black” mindset at that point, b/c I realized it meant that I would be an “underachiever”, “rude”, and (I’m too tired to think) TOO MANY negative things. So, I am a firm believer in an “internal transformation” for change and black “success”. We cannot make others accept/respect/support/love/embrace us, but we CAN control how we treat ourselves and each other. Men like Russell are always talking about the violence in the hood, but that violence wouldn’t exist if blacks weren’t willing to kill each other. They talk about “poor” education systems, but what difference does the quality of the education system make if people aren’t willing to read a book. I see so many females (ADULTS) who have children they KNOW they can’t afford and who won’t have a father in their lives. But, they still keep breeding and counting on good people (like MY MOTHER) to “help them out”. Black people complain about the bias in the justice system, yet they CONSTANTLY go out and break the law (for no good reason). Men who promote hip-hop (like Russell) are always talking about community “uplift”, but the content of hip-hop is (PREDOMINANTLY) anything BUT uplifting. One song I think of (and HATE) is that “Grillz” song by Nelly (I think that’s the name of it). He starts off by saying, “Raa (rob) da’ jewry store an tellum make me a grill…” OK. First of all, this is NORMALIZING criminal behavior and making it appear humorous/attractive. Secondly, it’s promoting an improper usage of the English language that would bar MOST people from educational and employment opportunities. I’m tired of Blacks (the “pro” Blacks) acting like it’s IMPOSSIBLE to expect Black kids to learn proper English. GIVE ME A BREAK. Immigrant children learn to speak their native language AND English PROPERLY, ALL THE TIME. ENGLISH is AA’s FIRST language. (I’m not going any further. As I stated, “I’m tired,” though I’m sure you can’t tell.
I could go on. But, the basic point that I’m trying to make is that I acknowledge the challenges AAs face, and I don’t deny them. But, AAs have to stop thinking they can make “poor” choices and still get ahead in life/society. So, I’m down w/ Cosby more than Simmons. And, I often think most “pro” Black talk is “lip service” more than anything else.
@ CERO
I’m “down” with what you said 200%.
Bossip… keep putting this puppet on blast. I am sure that old Russ does not even know what he is saying any more. Russel has no clue as to the world we black people live in now. For example he claims to be an advocate for uniting the races but is the puppet and co-founder for a non-profit orginazation in New York (The Foundation For Ethnic Undershanding) headed by a racist rabbi named Marc Schneider (personal experience).
Russel please shut up and go back to the upper east side or the Hamptons…
Please..Russell is busy bleeding the youth with his vampiric Rush card. Russ benefits from peoples bad choices so he could care less if the youth were held accountable. I’m so tired of hearing excuses. I went to a “crumbling” school but I decided to do better. Let Bill speak his mind just like Russ has the right to speak his.
REALLY RUSSELL? This from the man who made most of his fortune from the very music that put us in this position? Are you kidding me? All we see you doing now if running around with women half your age. Shut up and leave the saving of our race to someone who didn’t help destroy it.
@Kami All Day (Haters give me Promo…..)
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You gave yourself a co-sign (Thank you miss dior!)
“Its funny how black people cant handle the truth, but claim to be so REAL?
Hmm….I gotta figure that equation out.”
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That is just real silly.
BD Russ is full of crap. He doesn’t want folks to start thinking or they throw all of his useless products – and I mean all, from music to clothes and everything in between – in the garbage. Why people buy into this troll is beyond me.
go head BDR…very well spoken
@Janae- Your story sounds a lot like mines. I’m from the hood. I was raised by my mom and dad both hard workers. Well I am not from the hood but I am surrounded by the hood.My neighborhood is half and half (blk/wht) and our mayor and police don’t play. I tried to run with the hoodlums, but I went to cath school all white like 20 blacks in the whole school K-8. My freshmen year my mom let me go to an all black cath school. I swear my grades dropped by the next year I was in an all girl white cath school. My grades shot right back up. I also begged my mom to let me go to public school my senior year. I wanted to go to prom with black people. She allowed me transfer the last sem of my senior year.When I got to the public school my senior year. It was like they were literaly on a 5 grade level.I could not beleive how different it was. No after school functions but basketball, no band, nothing. I have nothing to to tell it was nothing. I don’t really deal with my neighborhood. They are to slow they don’t have the ability to think or know what to want out of life. They know nothing outside our community. Me on the other hand all up in dumb ballet, tap, science camp, band, computer camp etc. Black schools don’t even teach kids to have the ability to think, or know the importance of education. The only thing they know is hip/hop. Most can’t even read or speak proper english. I am not knocking anyone, but I know what it is like where I come from. Most do not have a diploma. If you ask a hood figure what are their goals they will look at you and tell you they don’t want to hear that shish.Our people are lost and are being raised by the kids who had kids not to mention the school systems, no role models or positive influences. So we are in a losing situation all the way around. No education or proper education= no ability to think or know what to want.moderen slavery if you ask me.It starts with proper education. I had to chime in on your story It sound a little like mine.Don’t get me wrong it’s a lot of black trying to get up but most feel helpless or could care less.They really don’t know what to think. If something is mis spelled my bad!
Thank you Russ for educating Mr. Cosby on the plight of the victim of the American system. This letter should help him to better understand that this failed system is creating these products (victims).
@ cero and Janae, I concur
That’s the problem with AA, we don’t want to hear the truth. I understand the truth hurts, because we always want to be treated as victims,and see ourselves as victims, but not right now. Now, it’s about choices that will determine the outcome of your future.
If someone says that the negative music that our youth listens to, especially in the AA community has no effect on them, must be unrealistic. Russell Simmons has nothing to say, because that’s what got him to where he is right now. Praising drugs, disrespecting women, talking about drugs, gang, getting shot, like it’s cool to be illiterate, babymama/babydrama, these artists are who these people look up to, and emulate.
How long I will going to blame the system, people who are doing better things with their lives, are living in the same American system, how long are we going to play the race card, is because I’m black, how long are we going to put ourselves as the victims.
I respect and admire what Bill Cosby is doing, I hope he continues, and I hope more old, young people will come out to tell the truth, regardless of how the black community will receive it. Is either you learn from it, or you have so many excuses or reasons for not wanting to better your life.
Russell Simmons, I suggest you go do your yoga, and continue to date all the white chicks that you want, and leave this for Bill Cosby.
Bill: You can’t save *****s from themselves. Give it up. *****s haaaate every word you say because it makes them have to admit they have every opportunity to better themselves (if they really want to) but that most of them fail due to their own choice.
*****s vs Black People. It’s real.
No offence to anyone here but if Russell’s open letter seemed intelligent to you, you need a better role model.
It is a plain old letter speaking that which Cosby himself knows.It is equally demeaning to any person with abaove average intellect because it states the obvious.
My piece: Uninsightful. Attention seeking. Mr. Blood Diamond, please stick to producing records and whatever else you do and leave bloggers to do their thing.
@ Kanae
I’ve been trying to respond to your comments. But, Bossip won’t post them. I don’t know why. Anyway, I relate to your experience in so many ways. We were fortunate to have parents who had the foresight and willingness to provide us with “better” opportunities and a different “frame of reference”. Seeing the problems in lives around you can really get you down (it gets me down), but you have to stay focused and work hard to do better for your own children. I plan to buy some land and build a house in the country. I’m working hard for my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on down the line. I think blacks have to “think” and “act” that way if they want better outcomes for themselves and each other.
@ love
“That’s the problem with AA, we don’t want to hear the truth. I understand the truth hurts, because we always want to be treated as victims,and see ourselves as victims, but not right now. Now, it’s about choices that will determine the outcome of your future.”
You’re SO RIGHT. And, you gave Russell good advice, BTW.
Instead of complaining about Bill, get it together and aspire to be more than an athlete or rapper.
Get it together!
@ Dennis
“Instead of complaining about Bill, get it together and aspire to be more than an athlete or rapper.
Get it together!”
THANK YOU. The black man has MORE potential.
Bill Cosby is RIGHT. And this misuse of the words ’self-hate,’ elitism, cl*****ism, etc. is getting really tiresome. Bill Cosby has an impressive track record of not only being a fine example of an African-American who can soar despite the odds but he successfully promoted Black culture to the mainstream in a way that is respectful and highly commendable. There was no program that spotlighted upper cl***** Black life as progressive, well-rounded and intelligent in the way his did. Before this, we were being mocked as coons. Cosby’s motivation was love and loyalty to his race. It is highly insulting to try and tarnish this man’s image when anyone of intelligence can see he is driven by a deep care and concern to better our community. Take from his teachings the call to ACT that it is and not vilify him because it is the EASY WAY OUT. It’s so hard to look in the mirror, bring a halt to self-destructive behavior and aim for a more evolved version of self. I’m sure Russell Simmons believe what he’s doing is right. He’s built an empire on marketing hip-hop and ghetto-style clothing to inner city youths. His natural impulse is to appeal to the ego of the demographic that’s made him wealthy. But it is coddling and he’s doing Blacks a disservice. The Black race is in a critical state. And more needs to be done to improve it. For people who take pride in ‘keepin’ it real,’ we become overly sensitive when Cosby comes out and do just that. Mother’s giving birth to multiple babies and raising them without fathers at the expense of the taxpayer and eventually the judicial system – is a PROBLEM. And it’s ruining our race. I applaud Mr. Cosby for having the guts to take a stand and speak out about it. At the very least, we should listen and use his words to motivate us in the right direction. EVOLVE!
Awwshadup you are right on the money. BC is only saying that parents need to be involved in the child’s upbringing. They have to be involved with their education. The fathers have to get involved with their sons. What exactly does RS promote ? Umm kids should buy hip hop records, clothing and adopt the same lifestyle as the rappers. Where does leave black americans ?
It makes me so proud to read the comments on this blog. You all should be proud of yourselves because most of them were stated in an extremely tasteful and respectful way. I do believe Bossip is forever trying to pit black people against each other, but, you have to forgive them that is what their ancestors did to our ancestors during slavery. But we don’t have to continue to fall for it. You all don’t believe for one second that smoenoe black owns this site.
Stay true to what you believe in young people becasue it is you who will get out here and stop this violence of your peers.
To Bria
Please be quiet…. its not about who owns this site…who cares… Blogs are only a forum for people to voice THEIR opinion… have you checked the other sites…. people are saying OLD RUSS IS FULL OF IT ON OTHER SITES TOO ABOUT GUESS WHAT.. THIS SAME ISSUE…
PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER DRINKING THE COOL AID… EXCEPT PEOPLE LIKE YOU!
I work in a school that’s half white and half black. After well over a decade there, I have witnessed NO white students engaged in violent acts against each other, but our black students are either talking about fighting or actually engaged in violent acts against each other. White students do not care about whether they are wearing the latest trend, but that’s one of the few concerns are black students have besides when they will witness or be involved in their next fight. Violence, materialism, and a lack of discipline when it comes to education are now more destructive than racism itself. Bill Cosby is right, and Russell Simmons is a leach who most certainly is contributing to the economic and ethical poverty of the black community.
Tell Bill to have a *****e and a smile and stfu!
-Richard Pryor (by way of Eddie Murphy)
Very funny Russell,
Although in some respects youre my hero, in some others you arent. Bill Cosby is spot on when he says “single mothers having kids is the biggest problem facing the black community” and I’ll tell you why.
1. If youre a single mother and you decide to have more children, that makes you a selfish b*tch, you cant raise boys, only men can raise boys to be men.
2. Russell I see through you, you make your money off the poor and stupid same as Emmitt Perry. Russell you market your Clothes, rush card and cellphone service to the poor who are too stupid to know “you dont have to pay a fee for a debit card, the clothes arent good quality and you dont have to buy re-fill cards for phone service.
3. So if the ills of the black community all of a sudden went away, Russell your riches would too.
But keep f*ckin’ the fine white b*tches!
love 6am
This is an age old argument that will continue long after we leave this earth. I hope we can reach a compromise to where black folks don’t feel like “sell outs” for not doing (stereotypical) “black” things and can shift the overall focus to uplift the mighty race that we are.
right on 6am… he better pray we don’t suddenly make a change for the better and put his ***** in the poorhouse.
Well said Elektrick…
I love how Russ got all condescending when he called Bill Cosby an ‘elder’, a member of the older generation. I swear, Russ’ old butt is darn near Bill’s age. Russ u are an elder too, please take off the baseball cap and act your age. and then he acts like Bill Cosby is so removed from the hood when Russ lives in all white suburbs himself, summering in the Hamptons, frolicking in the bahamas. If Russ was anywhere near the hood, he would know that hitting a kid in the head with a 4 x 4 (chicago) is not doing the best we can and raping a girl at a school dance is not doing the best we can. We can do better. But Russ will never admit that, he’s too busy making money off our dysfunction.
It’s the “ELDERS” fault we are in the situation that we are in!!!! They “DANCED” with these damm devils for to long.
russell simmons is a former junkie who made his money by the degridation of his OWN black people. Russell is a big contradiction that dont really have anything to say. phat farm, def jam is has made money off broke black people. nuff said..
@ bria, Couldn’t have said it better myself.Preach sis!!!!!!!
In the words of Vaughn “Dap” Dunlap (From The movie School Daze) WAAAAAAAAAKE UP!!!!!!
I totally agree Uncle Russ (In my head) when you have a figure like Dr. Cosby that we look up to have things to say that don’t motivate, it only causes more disfunction. Instead of saying what he thinks the problems are, I have yet to hear and see what he thinks can be done to start the move in getting the change to come about. He is acting like the old man on the corner sitting ourside the liquor store…he is always telling the kids not to do something and all the while he is sitting there not setting a good example himself. Lead by example Dr. Cosby, stop downing your own people and SHOW, not tell what the better way is.
Bill is right. Russell is a hypocrite who is capitalizing off of black folks with that Rush card… He needs to stop shopping at Baby Gap and man the hell up. He looks ridiculous with that damn, too-big baseball cap, trying to hang on to his youth… With that skinny white girl… Ugh. And they call us the gold diggers. Are you kidding me? How is Blood Diamond sexy? Kimora finally woke up and got her a big, tall, fine, black jigga who can probably hold her down…
Saddown lil man.
I agree with Russ to some extent. But he has given no where near as much of his wealth to educating us as has Dr. Cosby. Among his other benevactors, he gave Spelman 10 million in one shot, and that was when a million was a million!
LOLZ at the Rush Card. At the end of the day who else is critical of black people. Bill Cosby has always said that we need to do better. He wrote an essay a few years ago and we are still in the same boat. So he isn’t wrong about what we need to do.
Two CLOWNS
It not suprising a black man who benefits from the ignorance of our youth would feel this way. What does Bossip call them? “Autocoons”? This AUTOCOON has been getting rich off that ignorant gangster rap/violent hip hop for many many years – the very same “poetry” that has been ruining black communities and the hopes and dreams of misguided black youth for years!
Maybe he should stick to sexing white women and leave the guidance of our youth to the true leaders such as Bill Cosby, etc instead of telling our youth that nothing is ever their fault, its always the fault of the “establishment”. We see where that has gotten us this far!
“I agree with Russ to some extent. But he has given no where near as much of his wealth to educating us as has Dr. Cosby. Among his other benevactors, he gave Spelman 10 million in one shot, and that was when a million was a million!”
BIBLE! no – Russ is too busy spending his money on white women to put too much into his own! Sadly thast the story with a great deal of these wealthy black men. They won’t dare put a dime into making change – no that may take away from what they can spend on their white trophy – but they never seem to mind adding to the problem.
@bria
I agree. Cosby speaks the truth and the truth sometimes hurt. Stop making excuses, they don’t get you anywhere. Stop blaming government. We can educate our children at home. If you know the education system is busted then you need to make your children read books, teach them math and science at home. Mine can go to the best school but they will still be learning at home.
And why is simmons speaking like he not an elder now!
Black people need to wake up and realize that people say these things because black people are at the bottom. The jails are full of blacks and the thuggish hip hop culture has not helped black people in any way! Bill Cosby is talking the truth! Accept the information and act on it. Time to get away from the baby mama and baby daddy attitude!
@Simone unless you own this blog I don’t understand why you would be upset about what I said. Bossip never has anything positive to say about anything and they do hate successful black people. There was another way they could have put this story out, but, what did they do they tried to pit them against each other.
THE TRUTH OFFENDS. Only gheto swagga black people that make weekly trips to the jail to either visit someone or to spend time will be offended by this.
Black people WAKE UP! Go get and education, become successful and become something positive in the country. Making excuses for ur filthy lifestyle and blaming “the man” or white people for your problems is nonesense.
Russell needs to fall back and stop making excuses for their actions and start being responsible for themselves. Today is a different day and things are much better in this country for AA. We have it much easier than our ancestors had during slavery and reconstruction. What Russell needs to do is advise them on not being so self destructive. The world isn’t perfect and life may be harder for AA. That doesn’t mean give up or you shouldn’t fight for a better life.
I commend Russell for his respectful comments to Mr. Cosby. He expressed his opinions and concerns. He didnt attack him or was he condescending. Unlike some black people would have done.
“Bill Cosby is an example of someone from the older generation” …and so r u Uncle Russy…
[...] Simmons has finally had it with Bill Cosby and I’m just so happy that someone finally has the nerve to publicly speak out [...]
Put the blame where the blame belongs. The music is filthy. The children have no upbringing, morals, or respect. And the African American community is determined to stay in the ghetto and promote that as if it’s something to be proud of or excited about. Ask the people WHO HAVE to live there if it’s as glamorous as the music makes it out to be.
We will never wake up which is why we will always be a minority. Don’t get mad at Bill Cosby because he isn’t concerned to speak his mind while worrying about losing “Street Cred.” Street cred never paid the bills homey.
Russell hasn’t done or meant as much to the community nor is his legacy even near that of Mr. Cosby’s.
One thing black people can’t stand is the truth. Hate him all you want, but he’s telling the truth and our people know it.
I think people always make excuses when they know what to do and don’t do it. I think Russell is an enabler and it’s sad. Stop with the excuses and start doing because most of us do know better and just don’t do. We use our background to excuse our actions but it can’t always be the case. We have to wain ourselves off of the BS and get real with ourselves and only then can we upbuild our communities.
Bill Cosby is only telling young black men to pull their pants up and the young black ladies to close their legs until they accomplish college. Russell’s been pimping, or should I say bamboozling, blacks forever.
@ kAY
Everything that needs to be said to motivate AA, has been said. All we’ve actually heard the most, are the motivating, and encouraging words, at church, leaders in AA community, etc, and yet it looks like we are still in the same spot, compared to how much we can do. I really don’t know what else needs to be said.
To compare Bill Cosby, to an old man who sits in front of a liquor store, doing nothing, makes absolutely no sense. I believe Bill Cosby has set good examples. The Cosby show was the only AA show on TV, that depicted two parent household, both parent have good professional jobs, the children going off to college, and well raised, which is how it should be. After the show, Bill and Camille, continues to support black colleges, and speak out about what can be done for AA to better their lives.
It’s not about downing your own people, he’s talking about reality, and the truth. He’s talking about issues that need to be addressed in the AA community, and if some of these people actually listen, it will go a long way, and maybe we will not have as many issues that will have now.
Bill Cosby will not make these choices for them, it’s up to individual. It’s up to a young black man, who will choose to be on the street, selling drugs, rapper, ball player, have different babymamas, breaking the laws, then go to jail or choose to go to college to be educated, and be something so much better. It’s up to the young black girl, who will choose to be a babymama, or go to college to do something so much better. So, I really don’t know what else Dr. Cosby needs to show, than what he’s already doing.