Cosby & Obama

Eric Cooper

Submitted to Newsweek
December, 2004
By Eric J. Cooper

To the editor, please consider this for publication as a letter to the editor:
 
The January 3, 2005, article by Ellis Cose, "Does Cosby Help?," was an interesting juxtapositioning with the front cover piece on Barack Obama's 'The Audacity of Hope.'  Newsweek readers in the January 3rd issue were presented with the rise of a new vision of black American leadership, versus the frustrations of what some might call the wisdom of older African-Americans.  Neither wrong, both attempting to right the pernicious effects of race and poverty in America. Questions a reader might ask is whether for some diversity remains a strength or a liability for this country, or whether Cosby's leadership driven by tough love, or Obama's blend of American fairness and hope can unite us all in our common heritage?
 
Some might suggest to Mr. Cosby that "railing" at black American youth has not worked in the policies which gave rise to the widespread use of boot camps for the delinquent and violence-prone, nor have the policies which have led to the racial predictability and disproportionality of which student groups occupy the highest and lowest achievement levels.  Complex social problems are never solved by crusades driven by pique.  In fact, the vast majority of success stories for many schoolchildren and youth challenged by poverty, emerges when adults provide a hand and guidance, rather than the well meaning challenges and "sermons" of Bill Cosby. This is not to diminish the value of confronting youth, it just recognizes that when adults lead through educational and social mentoring -- providing behavioral and academic alternatives, more will succeed than not.  Mr. Cosby and Mr. Obama are most needed in challenging the institutional racism that exists in our nation's public school communities.  This is where influential leaders such as Cosby and Obama might collaborate to focus their frustrations, hopes and dreams.  America needs them both to find balance and convergence in their missions.
 
Eric J. Cooper
President,
National Urban Alliance for Effective Education
e_cooper@nuatc.org