| Author | Message | ||
  ~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 284 Registered: 3-2004 |
Email This Story Print This Story Bill Cosby Paying For School For Two High School Grads POSTED: 8:25 am EDT July 8, 2004 SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Comedian Bill Cosby, who recently said black children are "going nowhere" because they don't know how to read and write, is paying for the college education of two top high school graduates who support themselves. AP Image Bill Cosby Cosby, who lives in Shelburne, read a story in The Republican of Springfield about Loren M. Wilder and Jimmy L. Hester, who are also black. They went to three colleges in a tour arranged by Cosby, and selected Hampton University in Hampton, Va. after visiting the campus on Tuesday. "This is all about your careers, your lives," Cosby told the teenagers, who are black, as they traveled with him on his private jet, The Republican reported for Thursday editions. "The more you study, the better you do now, the more will open up to you later." Wilder was 14 when his mother was jailed for dealing drugs, and Hester left home at 15 after years of moving around and fighting with his mother. Both moved from place to place before getting an apartment together this winter with another student from Putnam Vocational Technical High School. Cosby was scheduled to honor a dozen high school students and graduates, including Hester and Wilder, on Thursday at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "Fifty percent of African-American males drop out of high school. We're talking epidemic here," said Cosby, who has recently drawn both praise and criticism for his strongly-worded comments. "You've got kids who never get told how important it is to study. They've got the designer shirt, but no one's telling them to study. People have to start seeing the light." "So to find two young men whose values are on the right side, it's refreshing," he added. The teenagers said they were impressed by Cosby's generosity and the attention he paid to their story. Video Cosby: More Harsh Words "Experiencing this with Mr. Cosby has been great," Wilder said. "Here's a guy who has millions of dollars and he's focusing in on the two of us. It's a good feeling." Cosby made headlines in May when he upbraided some blacks for their grammar and accused them of squandering opportunities the civil rights movement gave them. He shot back Thursday, saying his detractors were trying in vain to hide the black community's "dirty laundry." Before Cosby stepped forward to pay their college bill, Wilder had planned to attend Westfield State, while Hester was headed to American International in Springfield. unquote~~ Another good idea would've been if Mr. Cosby had helped some unfortunate, uneducated, poor kid, heading down the wrong road with his pants sagging, and using ebonics... wouldn't it have been nice of him th get that kind of kid counseling or something and there would be one less kid heading the wrong way? Maybe I'm wrong about this, but Christ came to help the LOST sheep...does anyone know what I'm trying to say here ??? | ||
SisDetroit (sis) 5-Doyen Username: sis Post Number: 344 Registered: 4-2004 |
I know what you are trying to say. These two young men had the determination within regardless of whether or not they had parental guidance. High school is the place where they decide which road. Elementary, and middle school is where they learn, and need the most guidance. High school is a different animal, including the teachers and counselors. People have seen the light for decades. Some have always reached out. Where was Bill? | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 285 Registered: 3-2004 |
...Well, that's just my point Sis, some children just like their Parents, just never get it, they don'dt have a clue...especially if they don't have the mind set, if they're never ecouraged, and just don't know how to take the initiative. It maybe again due to NO up bringing at all. family problems, too many kids in the home, no guidence, and no love. So since these 2 young folks, took the initiative and had encouragement, or/and made the decision to make that first step, then that's great. I was trying to make the point that those kind of kids, always or usually get extra encouragement and/or assistant...when the ones who really need the extra help, WHAT ABOUT THEM ??? they too are somebody. | ||
Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo) 4-Laureate Username: kevgo Post Number: 105 Registered: 4-2004 |
Medusa & SisDetroit: You both raise an excellent point about kids who really need the extra help and school and just don't receive it. Over 20 years ago I served as a student representative to Rochester NY's Board of Education's Budget Advisory Committee where I saw for myself at the age of seventeen where the tax dollars were going as far as education was concerned and it wasn't pretty. It seemed as if the most privileged schools and kids got the bulk of the tax money whereas those at risk were placed in the column reading "wait 'til state/federal aid comes in" (mind you, this was the 1980s, where education wasn't a priority under the government we had). I spoke my mind and raised hell with the committee because I went to school with the kids who needed that extra help with their studies until finally the majority of the committee agreed to allocate the tax dollars to the "at risk" kids. I encourage anyone who gives a damn about our nation's future to step up and help these kids. We should not wait until a Bill Cosby or someone with money does the work. Kevin Goins - KevGo | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 286 Registered: 3-2004 |
Well said Kevin, and welcome back...and Congratulations on your new Beginning...and oh Happy Fathers Day~ | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 657 Registered: 4-2004 |
I TOTALLY agree with DR. Cosby. I see it every day and it is a sad state of affairs in Philly. If I hear the "f" word. the "n" word and the "mf" word, Il just explode. There is absolutely no respect for others and for self, and education? whats that, a new concept??? I was raised in a totally "urban" if you will, environment and kids respected their elders and family, and if not they got a 'whuppin' Today, the parents are dope fiends themselves. Of course, Im not speaking for ALL urban kids, as there are loads of very bright, talented and respectful kids out there, but the negative ones should be rounded up and sent away somewhere until they "get it" and be fed John Tesh music 24/7/365 | ||
SisDetroit (sis) 5-Doyen Username: sis Post Number: 355 Registered: 4-2004 |
Hahahah, John Tesh music. LOL. What is the name of that movie in which they had all convicts on the island in New York with no guards? They had to live on the island and protect themselves among the different gangs. | ||
Linda Di. (linda_di_fsg) 4-Laureate Username: linda_di_fsg Post Number: 89 Registered: 4-2004 |
When we were kids, if we misbehaved, any neighbor or relative or friend's parent could whup your butt, then call your parents and tell them they did it. And ya got whupped again when you got home! Now? Ha! Forget about it. Fortunately, there are really great kids out there, but the bad ones often overshadow that goodness. | ||
Gary (gary) 3-Pundit Username: gary Post Number: 65 Registered: 4-2004 |
Eli...John Tesh music 24/7/365? I believe that comes under the heading of "cruel and unusual punishment" and is therefore, prohibitted by the U.S. Constitution. LMAO... I can take or leave Cosby and his attitudes. I don't need any lectures from him; I'm a parent myself and I teach school in an urban environment, so I get to see the best and the worst of this up and coming generation every day. BTW, in many cases, when you meet some of these kids' parents up close and personal, it becomes quite obvious as to why so many of them are lost at an early age nowadays. So, in that respect, Cosby has a valid point. A lot of times, the kids just don't stand a chance. It's quite sad, but not hopeless. | ||
Ralph Terrana (ralph) Moderator Username: ralph Post Number: 398 Registered: 3-2004 |
By the way, today is Mr. Cosby's 67 birthday. Happy birthday Cos! | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 291 Registered: 3-2004 |
~Happy B'Day BC~...I know a few kids that~~oh nevermind~~~happy B'day | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 975 Registered: 4-2004 |
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL! Jimmy & Jeanie Scott J's Way Jazz | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1384 Registered: 4-2004 |
Good evening all! Ok Bobby, John Tesh is alright. Now, Honey, Billy, Don't Be A Hero or McArthur Park would be cruel & unusual punishment!!! As far as today's kids are concerned, it is definitely a rough situation. So many babies having babies, the coming of age of the first wave of crack babies & the sins of those parents being visited on the kids, has had such a devastating effect on this generation. I remember very well the days of the 60s & 70s. They say that it tokk a village to raise a child & growing up in the 60s & 70s, that was so true. I remember a situation that occurred when I was about 4 years-old. The Good Humor truck had driven up & I ran out into the street & a car slammed on its brakes & narrowly avoided hitting me. My next door neighbor named Walter Blackman was so shook up that he ran off of his porch & spanked me. My mother came running out of the house & guess what??? She didn't yell at my neighbor because he spanked her little precious son. Moms commenced to doing a little spanking of her own. Then, it was pops turn. Needless to say, I didn't run into the street chasing the ice cream man anymore. Contrast that to today, where many RELATIVES cannot chastise their own nieces, nephews, etc. Most of today's parents simply don't want to hear anything about their kids. Then, when their little "career criminal" is either arressted or killed, we hear how "wonderful" he was & how he didn't deserve his fate. Of course, everyone was "picking" on him. Very rarely, have I heard a relative of these predatory kids speak the truth. The last time was just this past week, where a 13 year-old girl was killed by one of these "innocent" jailbirds. What horrible thing did the young girl do that got her killed?? She didn't pay the guy (who she met in a internet chat room) a stupid $100 for braiding her hair. Now, why in the hell would a 20 something year-old be messing with a 13 year-old for any reason? To her credit, his sister didn't run to his defense. She was appalled & apologized to the family. She said that she wanteds them to know that she cared. Unfortunately, her response is rather rare these days. As long as these "parents" & other family members continue to condone their childrens' behavior, I believe that little will change for the better. BTW SIS: The movie was Escape From New York HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR COSBY! (Message edited by juicefree20 on July 12, 2004) | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 668 Registered: 4-2004 |
Happy birthday Cos..Im witcha bro!!! | ||
SisDetroit (sis) 5-Doyen Username: sis Post Number: 367 Registered: 4-2004 |
You gotta read this story, first page, and the continued story on page two. "So why now? Why is Bill Cosby suddenly so sour, so publicly? Perhaps it was watching one of his four daughters struggle with a drug habit in the 1980s. Perhaps it was losing his only son, Ennis, to random violence in 1997. (Ghouls click here for a guide to the murder site.) Perhaps it was having to acknowledge having cheated on his wife of 40 years, Camille, who is nearly as beloved by blacks as he is." http://slate.msn.com/id/210379 4/?GT1=4244 |
