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Right from the moment I heard Mr. Cosby's comments, I agreed with him. Children only take education as seriously as the parents do. If education is not valued by the parents, the children have nowhere else to get that value system. If parents teach their children to value expensive brand-name clothes, that they themselves can barely afford, that is what their children put in their toolbox of life.

—Alletha Muzorewa

Most people that I discussed Dr. Cosby's comments with at the time he originally made them did not have a problem with the statement, they had a problem with the time and place he chose to present it.

—Jim Alexander

Mr. Cosby was absolutely correct. If former slaves could raise money to build schools and churches, the black parents can certainly honor and cherish their legacy by making certain that their children take advantage of educational opportunities and treat each other with respect. Black parents need to buy more books—not expensive athletic shoes.

—Allegra McCullough

Although he may not be the correct messenger, he was correct. The responsibility for instilling morality, integrity, respect and ethics is independent of a person's financial or social status and condition. What I am saying is [that] just because I am poor in the inner city, I am not exonerated for my bad decisions. There was a lot of pushback against Bill because of his statements ... If the emphasis was placed on training the objects of Mr. Cosby's speech to be independent thinkers, skill acquirers and ethical moral opportunity seekers, there would be little to no need for the speakers. People like Jesse Jackson [and] Al Sharpton don't want people to become responsible because they would see their revenue streams dry up. I am an African American, but as Forrest Gump said, "That's all I have to say about that."

—Harry Jackson

Bill Cosby is absolutely right. All you have to do is look at the success of the children of immigrants who are people of color. Most came with little or nothing, but the emphasis on education, hard work and personal responsibility has made their children and grandchildren successful, contributing members of society. When you look at African-American families that place the same emphasis on education and responsibility, you see the same success. When you look at white kids who aren't taught that personal responsibility, education and hard work is the way to success, you see kids on the road to failure. Bill Cosby's message is a truth that transcends color and needs to be heeded by all.

—Carol Ashby

The truth sometimes is scary ... Mr. Bill Cosby gave us the truth and our fears came back. When will the black community as a whole wake up and understand that our salvation in this system is to distinguish the difference between wants and needs? We concentrate on the things we want and fall into the trap that is set up for our failure. A 52" plasma TV, a $175,000 home, [an] expensive car that we struggle to pay for, and living in a community that does not want us there is not something we need. I am not saying that we should not want nice things and we all do, but at what cost?

—Howard Williams

Of course he was right. Only people who want to write books, university professors, organizations who pimp corporations for contributions, and folks who have their heads in the sand question what he said. He is one of the few who have the guts to say it straight and not place all the blame elsewhere. Parents have the responsibility for raising their children. When a child gets in trouble, the parents should be the first ones to tell society, "I'm ashamed of what my son/daughter has done to him/herself, my family, our community, and I will deal with it at home. I promise it will never happen again."

But then again, some of the parents didn't have parents to take responsibility either, so why should we expect any different? They are in the same company of the other rationalizers: professors, civil-rights organizations, etc. It's a sad state!

—DS Wills

I do not agree with Mr. Cosby at all.  I find many of his comments to be both hypocritical and offensive. Who is he to condemn black parents in the rearing of their children? Did he forget about his daughter who was strung out on drugs?

Who is Mr. Cosby to criticize about morals? Did Mr. Cosby have an adulterous affair in the 1970s, which resulted in an illegitimate daughter named Autumn, whom he supported and educated?

How dare Mr. Cosby criticize people naming their children odd names. Does he really think that his original name would be William Cosby? I happen to be one of those with an odd name and I am nowhere ignorant nor educated. In fact, I am a college-educated African-American woman.

My message to Mr. Cosby is: "Sweep your own doorstep before trying to clean someone else's."

—Lakitha Goss

Yes, Bill Cosby was right. We are to blame for the way our black kids are. If we took the time to train them up in the way that they should go and not try to pacify them with materialistic things, we would not have rude, disrespectful and out-of-control kids.

—Marleen Alexander

Bill Cosby is right, right, right! It is a form of slavery to keep saying that all of this is because of what happened in slavery times. Self-inflicted slavery! How long are we going to use that excuse? There are too many educated, prosperous, ambitious blacks for us to keep saying the "white man" won't let me. He won't let you what? What really gets me is that I was born in the '50s and grew up in the '60s and '70s, and we fought and sacrificed so much for our children to have the opportunities that were a struggle for some of us, we fought not to be called the N-word and fought for respect and proved that we are a people of ambition, integrity and strength. Then some of our own children run around calling their own selves "niggas" and think that is cool ... It disgusts me and it was about time for those of us who have a public audience to stand up and demand accountability and to put the blame where it belongs. We are not the only people who were oppressed, but we seem to be the only ones who want to hang onto it. The prison door is open—walk out! Just know that prosperity and knowledge only come with responsibility.

—Faith Morrison

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