Alvin F. Poussaint

Well, I finally delved into this book, after reading the good, and the bad, reviews. I have to say that I am torn over how to respond!
First, let me say that I feel Cosby and Dr. Poussaint have the message correct! But it's totally mis-aimed at JUST the black community!
Come On People is misleading. If the book had been written to the American public at large, I would be parading up and down the street begging anyone and everyone who would, to read it! The message is fabulous! IF we negate that it was written to the black community!
Instead of saying, "Come On People", I wanted to yell out, "Come on Cos!"
Everything he wrote, and I do mean EVERYTHING, could have, and should have, been written to all people. And especially to the American nation!
While I am a caucasian American, I found this book harsh to the blacks! If I were black I'd beating down Cosby's door wanting an explanation as to why he decided to tear down the blacks of this country, rather than encourage and uplift them!
The book is filled with plain old GOOD commen sense, if we take out the "it's all the black man's fault" thrown in!
Cosby and Poussaint's figures are far from correct. A simple Google search proved them wrong on several statistics they quoted.
It was almost as if both Cosby and Poussaint were saying that they no longer wanted to be a part of their own race.
Usually a big fan of Cosby's common sense approach to the world at large, I cannot support this book, or it's message. I highly recommend that it is kept away from all young people. And I do mean ALL. White adoloscents will begin to think they are superior to blacks, and blacks will feel inferior in every way after reading this drivel!
Cosby, there are good and bad in every race. To denegrate your own race, well, you've just fallen off that list of respected American's I once held you on with high esteem.… (mais)

This book, although I believe it is well-intentioned, is one giant, self-contradictory condemnation of the poorer segments of the black community in this country.

I say it is contradictory, because although the book is clearly intended to be empowering and educational, Cosby and Poussaint undermine this goal every step of the way. They claim that telling black youths that they are "worthless" or "as bad as your father" has the psychological effect of a self-fulfilling prophecy. However, this entire book is written as if it were addressing an audience of stupid people. They condemn a culture that paints itself into a certain stereotype, but the writing in this book demonstrates that the authors themselves buy into that very same prejudice.

This self-contradictory attitude likewise shows up in Cosby & Poussaint's treatment of women. On the one hand, they berate the rap and television industries for their denigration of women and promotion of an unhealthy stereotype. But then they turn around and on the other hand demonstrate their own sexism with comments such as, "a woman's virtue needs protection" and their claims that women today should be "ashamed" of their sexuality. This isn't empowering - it's shoving women back into the kitchen!

It was very important to me to read this book in its entirety, because I had heard some of the reactions to it, and I wanted to be sure that I gave it a fair chance. Ultimately, while I do believe that Cosby and Poussaint have some things of value to say - most of it what I'd call common-sensical - the way they chose to say it undermines any value there to be found. This book is extremely condescending to its audience, and at the end of the day, I don't think the strong negative reactions to it were unwarranted. Not recommended.… (mais)

The Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s went a long way toward assuring black equality under the law. So why does actual success elude many African Americans more than forty years later? Racism may still be a factor, but Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint argue that many of the problems holding back progress could be overcome from within.

In Come On People: On the Path From Victims to Victors, Cosby and Poussaint explain how many self-destructive aspects of modern black culture discourage success and restrict opportunities. Instead of brother helping brother overcoming adversity, black culture often devalues achievement. If getting good grades and working hard can be labeled "acting white," for example, then what demoralized message becomes associated with "acting black"?

The authors, both well-credentialed veterans of civil rights, urge the African American community to get over the victim mentality that erodes self-respect and motivation. Then they list ways blacks can help themselves, their families, and their communities. Number one on their list is mentoring African American males to take responsibility for the women and children in their lives. Why do so many black men abandon the unwed mothers of their children, and fall into a spiraling culture of bad language, debasement, failure, drugs, and crime?

"Come on People," the authors shout. "We can do better." The words on the front cover echo throughout the book. They urge readers to make a difference locally. Stop blaming everyone else for failure. Take responsibility. Racism might continue to stain American culture, but much can be done despite racism, history, and current conditions.

African Americans need to tone down the culture, cool the violence, stick with family, pursue an education, learn to speak properly, develop employable habits, and support their community. These, the authors say, are the tools blacks need to avoid the traps of poverty and victimhood. I would take their argument one step further (though I'm guessing they'd agree with me): these are the tools needed by anyone regardless of race. The African American community is, at the moment, simply mired in the traps more than others. I am white, but I was joining in the chorus every time the authors repeated their call: "Come on people. We can do better."

The book is dotted with "call outs" -- inspiring thoughts from successful black educators, business people, and community leaders. They pulled themselves up and want to show others the way. Possibly the most important lesson from the call outs is the overall concept: African American success IS possible. The civil rights leaders of yesterday did the hard part; they assured that opportunities existed. Cosby and Pouissant don't want those opportunities ignored or squandered. It's a powerful message in a well-written book.

Find more of my reviews at Mostly NF.… (mais)