Bill Cosby, Juan Williams - Enough

Last week I read Juan Williams', Enough. In it Williams recounts a speech given by Cosby, to leaders of the black community in 2004. In his speech Cosby spoke of the breakdown in the black community and called for specific action. He spoke to the power brokers with a resounding word. He essentially said they were are failing to speak to the boys and girls of the black community in ways that are helpful. In particular he spoke of a pervasive victim mentality in contrast to a challenge of great expectations and thriving despite ones circumstances.
I was astonished by the way the book opens, with a quote from I Samuel 3 - I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them.
Williams did suggest four measures that could be radically helpful to the black youth and in reality to all young people. 1) Get a High School diploma, 2) Get a job and remain at it for a while (he doesn't say how long, what is implied is longevity produces character and further opportunities), 3) Get married after you are 21 years of age, and 4) Wait to have children after marriage.
If you find these suggestions simplistic, read the book and you'll discover that a big portion of our society needs these simple lessons.