U.S. The Plight of Black Conservative Leaders

Cosby's words stung the black political establishment, ripping Jesse Jackson's recent annual Rainbow/PUSH meeting. Reactions were uniform and predictable. Cosby said nothing new, but, their complaint is that he said it for all the world to hear.

Here is an example of what Cosby had to say that for the black establishment is not news:

"For me there is a time ... when we have to turn the mirror around ... Because for me it is almost analgesic to talk about what the white man is doing against us. And it keeps a person frozen in their seat, it keeps you frozen in your hole you're sitting in."

If this message is not new, for black leadership, one askes why this same leadership has opposed and does oppose every reform "that attempts to recognize these points, turn back government and return choice and responsiblity to black citizens."

Star Parker, the author of this piece, points out that "any black conservative could have written Cosby's script," but that they " have been marginzalized (in the community) for years." The reception gotton from mainstream black leaders has been "character assassination and dismissal of our arguments without consideration."

Many poor black parents indignantly felt that Cosby was "attacking them personally." Did Cosby go far enough in his explanation? Was he right to frame his argument the way he did? Were things better forty years ago before "Jesse Jackson and company started their campaign to sell political power and government programs as the answer for African Americans?"

The question at hand is whether a turn toward conservative leadership help and improve families? Would it hurt to try?