Hello Friend
Bill Cosby’s daughter explains how the lessons of her father have shaped her life and the lives of countless others.
By Erika Cosby
Photography by Erinn Cosby
“Take it easy Dad,” “Take it easy Erika”. That’s the usual sign-off between us-a longstanding inside joke that harks back to my sophomore year in high school. At the time, I was well into my second year of Spanish and I must admit that I’d been slacking off. During holiday break, Dad was channel surfing for a classic black and white movie for us to watch together when he paused on a Spanish-speaking show. My head began to spin upon hearing the rapid-fire, seemingly indecipherable dialogue. This was the test. Dad asked me to quickly tell him what the man in the program had said, and I proclaimed in guilt-ridden exasperation, “I didn’t catch that part, it’s too advanced.” Dad began to laugh and gently informed me that the man said “take it easy”-in English. So utterly focused on every nuance of the repartee, I hadn’t even noticed when the characters switched from speaking Spanish to English. My father is definitely a man who has always inspired my desire to listen, watch, and learn.
In the ’70s, when I was still a child, Dad was one of the first famous personalities to use television in order to educate children through entertainment-a refreshing change from the traditional pedantic format. Just like many people of my generation across the country, I have fond childhood memories of watching Fat Albert on Saturday mornings with my sisters and brother. Now a new generation of children can enjoy the teachings from Little Bill cartoons. Dad always has a special way of turning the fun visual medium of cartoon animation into an educational experience. It’s as if he has an innate sense of how young people think and see the world. It’s no surprise that children far and wide adore him.
And Dad has always had a way with words, be it his yen for observant and compelling storytelling or his powerful words of wisdom. Both of my parents have always advocated the importance of education as a catalyst to self-empowerment and success. They have been leaders in campaigns to financially enhance the endowments of various African-American institutions and have implemented several programs for promising students.
I, too, have been a most fortunate beneficiary of my parents’ continued support of pursuing a solid education. One thing I have learned from them throughout the years is that the learning experience is lifelong and that school is one specific valuable tool to guide you throughout life. An education can help you focus and introduces new and varied ways of thinking about the world at large. I have cursed the dreaded math classes in high school wondering how a trapezoid was going to help me balance a checkbook. But recently, when my 5-year-old niece informed me that she had learned about trapezoids in school, I realized at that moment that I could reciprocate the information with her with the confidence inherent in my prior knowledge. The same is true for my profession as an artist. Who knew I’d be using fractions and multiplication tables on a regular basis to install paintings on the walls? Or that the information gleaned from my chemistry and biology classes would aid my alchemist approaches to mixing various paints and materials? Without the support and encouragement of my parents, I could have easily lost interest in my least favorite subjects. Dad would say, “It’s important for you to be a sponge and absorb everything, because you never know when you’ll need to use it again.”
Achieving a good education in this country has its obstacles, but the educational institutions around the country are constantly revising and amending teaching objectives to accommodate a plethora of comprehension and learning techniques pertinent to each student. The United States is plagued with an epidemic of illiteracy and is below the world average in terms of teaching and learning skills. The results are inextricably linked to low self-esteem, subsequent behavioral problems, and issues that have an effect on our society at large. Dad has always been steadfast in his stance to raise awareness of this dangerous problem. He addresses the urgency of this plight in his latest book, Come on People, co-authored by Dr. Alvin Poussaint. Dad regularly organizes “Call-outs,” based on a town hall model of bringing the community together in order to address issues in a public platform.
If my brother Ennis were alive today, I believe he would have embraced these same issues and values as the teacher he aspired to be. He was winding up his graduate degree at Teacher’s College at Columbia University when he was senselessly murdered 11 years ago at age 27. Though he was taken from us too soon, he lived long enough to discover his passion for teaching, a triumph for him after a lifetime struggle with dyslexia. Ennis eventually discovered, through proper instruction, that he was not slow or incapable of learning, but simply put, he learned and comprehended differently from others. In an excerpt from a paper he wrote titled “Teaching from the Heart,” he states: “How will my experience influence change in the school system? I am soon to be a teacher who can influence change by my experiences as a victim of the system. I believe that if more teachers are aware of the signs of dyslexia and learning disabilities in the class, then fewer students like me will slip through the cracks of the system. I also feel that special education needs to be a combination of one-on-one and group teaching. I believe in fairness within the system. I just want all students to have an equal opportunity. I have a lifetime to devote to making the school system more balanced in any way I can.”
At Hello Friend, the Ennis William Cosby Foundation, founded by my father in 1997 to honor Ennis’s dream (Ennis often greeted people with the exclamation, “Hello friend!”), the goal is to avoid the limitations of the word “disabilities.” We prefer to describe the myriad ways that people learn and comprehend as “differences.” The focus of the foundation is to provide a place for teachers to access resources and information regarding pre-emptive specialized training to teach children with learning differences. In 2000, we formed an education alliance with Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education. Graduates from the program, titled “Cosby Scholars,” receive specialized training to help them detect and teach all types of learning differences in children from kindergarten through second grade in New York City public schools. The Hello Friend Foundation also hopes to expand their successful online tutoring program. Our goal is to recreate the same opportunities in an accredited online tutorial program based on our Cosby Scholars program at Fordham University.
As Dad often says, “It’s important for teachers to be able to train, to be equipped to understand that children learn in different ways. Teachers ought to be able to help each child recognize how he or she learns. Once that happens the child will then develop a love for learning.”
The Web site will give clues and enlightening information, and will foster significant connections. In this tech-savvy era, we hope to reach more teachers on a national level. The benefits of good teaching and a prosperous and comprehensive learning experience should not be relegated to the elite and privileged few. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and every teacher should aspire to do whatever it takes to reach every child. Ennis was a student at a time when dyslexia wasn’t widely known, nor was it easy to detect. For many years, Ennis struggled in school and as a result, he had low self-esteem. When he entered college, Ennis discovered that there was a diagnosis for his struggle and that he wasn’t stupid. He simply had a different way of interpreting information. This was the confidence boosting epiphany that changed the course of his life. He sought out a tutor program and excelled in school with the dream of teaching children like himself. Carolyn Olivier, the education director of The Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation, also knew Ennis and tutored him for his dyslexia. “No one understands the importance of early, effective teaching better than Bill and Camille Cosby. When children are taught well, right from the very beginning, they start to become effective contributors to society of tomorrow. Ennis was going somewhere, and he was going to take along with him anyone who was willing to listen, learn, work hard, and join him in the struggle to be an effective student. He inspired and cared deeply about those around him.”
Needless to say, Ennis was a terrific teacher-an informal tradition handed down by our own parents. Ennis always saw the potential in his students, because he knew the struggles first hand and reaped the success of his tenacity and dedication to overcome the obstacles of dyslexia.
A recent article in the New York Times revealed the propensity for many dyslexics to develop acute compensatory skills that lead to success in business and entrepreneurial endeavors. The article goes on to name several leaders in the business world whom have turned their struggles into successes. People like Virgin Atlantic Airways’ Richard Branson and Kinkos creator Paul Orfalea (an honoree at our last fundraiser) found success at a time long before learning differences were a blip on the education radar. Many children were relegated to remedial and special study groups in lower track systems. As a result, they were stultified, stagnated, discouraged, and frustrated during their attempts to read, and, in some instances, eventually gave up on school altogether.
The purpose of our foundation, my brother’s dream and my father’s lifelong aspiration, is to intervene and help children and nurture their individual approaches to learning. Teaching is an important vocation and a great teacher can have a lasting, profound, and sometimes life-changing affect on their students.
Dad points out: “I don’t know of another profession where people start out wanting to save the world without bloodshed, destroying another country, or enslaving people. Teachers start out wanting to save the world. In how many professions can a five-year-old child make an adult feel that they have succeeded or failed? It is okay for teachers to question their abilities as long as they are always willing to improve.”
There is a moment from a videotaped interview with one of the Fordham University Cosby Scholars when a young teacher reflects on her teaching skills before enrolling in the program: “I’ve been teaching for many years, and I’m embarrassed when I think of the children for whom I didn’t have the skills to take to the next level in terms of their reading. They had pain and I have pain-I want to go back and find them. It’s too late for that, but now, when I have a student with learning differences, I will step up to the plate. And it’s enough for them now; I have what they need.”
I am a new teacher myself. The information that I have gathered from numerous testimonials from the teachers that I have met throughout these past 11 years have served as an invaluable sounding-board and resource. Just as my mother and father saw the unique potential in each of us, I’ve learned to see each student as an individual with a special way of navigating and interpreting the world. We teachers have as much to learn as the students; it’s an ongoing venture. As Dad says: “You have to keep going over it, you need that understanding.” And as long as we understand, change can be implemented.
Miami Launch
The Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation is launching in Miami with an exclusive star-studded dinner gala, Bill Cosby “Garage Sale,” and celebrity performance at the Forge. Taking place on Friday, April 25, the night will be hosted by Ennis Cosby’s sisters, Erinn, Evin, Ensa, and the author of this article, Erika. The invitation-only event will host 500 of South Florida’s most influential VIPs for a preliminary cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a five-course dinner. After the delectable meal, the iconic sweaters worn by Bill Cosby when he played Heathcliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show will be auctioned live. The evening will be capped off by a performance by Gladys Knight. Appropriately, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played “Theo” on The Cosby Show, will be the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. Funds from the benefit will be earmarked for the establishment of a nationwide training program for teachers through the Ennis William Cosby Foundation. For more information on the evening, visit
www.hellofriend.org or call 877.666.0663.
Send this Article to a Friend
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
I miss ya Bill.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
This article is very rich. I enjoyed reading. Bill Cosby have been a father to many children ( I raised both my children as a single parent); including mine.
In our home education is No 1. My son is now 36 , have 2 children and is a great Dad - he is an Actor. My daughter now 38 is in Fashion designing.
Thanks Bill.
Marlene
Canada
May 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I was raised watching the Cosby show it was a great asset to the television set. It was a very refreshing show making all aware of how important education is and the every day problems that families go through and how families can deal with situations and the affectiveness it has without beating a child.
Thank you Mr. Cosby for all that you bring every where you go. I sad to say that I missed you when you came to my college to speak (Medgar Evers College) I hope I get the opportunity to hear you speak in the near future.
I know that your family is extremely proud of you I know I am. Keep up the fantastic work that you do and thank you for the joy and knowledge that you bring to so many lives.
May 11th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Bill Cosby is my hero and my husband’s hero. Our four children are grown and have lives of their own but as a family we never missed an episode of the Huxtables; so I believe I can say, Bill Cosby is also our children’s hero. We don’t have much money, but we plan to leave a portion of it to the Hello Friend\Ennis William Cosby Foundation because we believe that with Bill Cosby and his family at the helm this foundation will make a significant positive difference in our world. Please do not ever stop pushing for quality education and quality values, you provide a guiding light for all of us.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Thi report is one of the greatist reports that I ever read about your dad Bill Cosby or Henry Cosby whatever his name is again.
May 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
phil collins, heinz rühmann, wolfgang amadeus mozart, stephen king, john f. kennedy, the dalai lama, mother theresa, martin luther king, bill cosby, daimler, otto, diesel, benz, pasteur, röntgen…..!!
thank’s !!!!
your sencerely volker gölz
May 14th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
A friend of mine once asked me what kind of man I would like to be with.
My answer, without thinking about it, was “A man like my late grandfather and the late Ossie Davis. And more visibly, Bill Cosby.”
I meant every word.
Thank you, Dr. William H. Cosby Jr.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:46 am
HELLO
JUST WANT TO SAY, HOW GREAT WE THINK MR. COSBY IS!!
KEEP SAYING IT LIKE IT IS!! NEED MORE LIKE YOU!!
ED NORTHERN MICHIGAN!!!
May 16th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Erika - Nice Article! Enjoyed it very much, your Dad is much loved. Say, by the way, did anyone video the April 25th “Garage Sale” and post it on youtube? Thanks. Bruce.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:51 am
is bill cosby going to guest star on william shatners show boston legal playing a judge or client of denny craig play by william shatner. I heard mr cosby is a star trek fan also.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Bill is a true American white or black. He represents America as it should be.
May 18th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I am a board member of Bridge of Hope. We help homeless mom turn there lives around by teaching them how to budget, parent, cook, obtain education. In short we offer them freedom to choose what kind of life they want for their children and themselves by empowering them with education and mentorship. We need Bill Cosby to come to Hendersonville, NC to help us with a black tie gala to raise the necessary money to help this families become self sufficient. We have to raise every penny for our charity. Mr. Cosby, your are so loved by all of us. And it is always refreshing to attend your performances, laugh until your ribs hurt and never hear one bad word, only your sweetness. I know we would have a sold out audiance, could you help us?
Thank you, Sheila
May 20th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
WHY DOES DAD NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT? I BELIEVE HE WOULD MAKE THE GREATEST MARK ON IMPROVED RACE RELATIONS!! A MAN OF TRUTH AND NO B.S.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I have a radio talk on Saturday morning from 11 to noon.I would like your father to call in.The station is located in Vineland N.J. It covers Phila. and Delaware ,and all of South Jersey.Its 92.1fm wvlt also on the world wide web. Thank You Alex Dragotta.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I enjoyed the article. I joined the http://www.billcosby.com, and have posted things about the Pound Cake Speech on my blog
http://tucsonmike.wordpress.com
With permission, I will post excerpts from this as well.
Thank you for the article Erika.
May 24th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I have loved Bill Cosby since i was a child and i am 32 now-his being such a warm, firm, caring, understanding human being and parent has resulted in Erika, Erinn, Ensa, Evin as well as Ennis to be the bright, thoughtful, learned people they are, were, and always will be. I was very sorry for the whole family when I heard about Ennis. All I could think of was how much it seemed like I knew him just from listening to Bill Cosby, Theo Huxtable as well as the “Himself” video tirade about him shaving a “reverse mohawk” onto his head. wonderful people make wonderful families as well as wonderful citizens of our society. It is terrible when someone has not been educated well or at all in how to be productive members of society, so that when they see someone who has been taught well and has worked hard, it incites a desire to take their life and their belongings. Erika keep making mom and dad as well as all of his fans, proud, and Mr. Cosby keep up the hilarity as well as the teaching you manage to do both so seamlessly together at one time that we are not aware we are learning really we just think we are being entertained, an excellent and effective method. Love to the entire Cosby family, Lisa Mowery
May 25th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I am 26 and I still get excited when the Cosby show comes on television. Bill Cosby has been an inspiration to me and hopefully will be to my future children. Like Bill’s son that passed, I am also studying to be a teacher. It is hard enough preparing to educate in the mainstream college setting….I can’t imagine being dyslexic and still coming out on top. That had to take some very hard work, dedication, and determination. Bill Cosby was not only a huge influence on his children’s life and education, but also to me and many others. Thank you, Mr. Cosby, for instilling the values and life lessons into my life so that I can pass them along to my family in the future.
Amy Wyatt, Alabama
May 27th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Thank you Cosby Family for yet again paving the way for a greater America. I love our country yet have grave concerns, one of which is education. Clearly our educational system is severly flawed and failing us. I am excited to hear about Enis’ vision for an effective way to teach to different ‘learning styles’ manifest in a comprehensive, duplicatible system of teaching at “Hello Friend, the Ennis William Cosby Foundation”. Between an online-tutoral where students can go to independently access and navigate their way through the curriculum, and an online site to educate our existing and upcoming teachers, you are filling a tremendous void. An educational revolution is really what this amounts to, bringing us great hope for the future..
Thanks again friends!
C. Patterson, NYC
May 28th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
A very interesting article clearly written with an astute purpose in mind- by educating the educated who read this article. As an American byproduct of the Amercian private school route involving the East coast prep school followed by a leafy liberal arts college, I feel no qualms about having my children in the public school system here in Scandinavia. The strict tax regime in Denmark is not to my liking, yet I feel that we get what we pay for. Your article makes me question what route I would take if indeed I lived back in America: public or private. One thing is for certain- education begins first at home.
May 28th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I REMEMBER WATCHING MR.COSBEY WHEN I WAS A CHILD.
I AM NOW 47YRS YOUNG,WITH GRANDCHILDREN.
I LOVED YOUR SHOWS THEN AND TRULY LOVE WATCHING WITH MY GRANDBABIES NOW. KEEP THE FAITH,YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERANCE.
GOD BLESS.
LUV YA,
D MILLER
P.S. I WILL VOTE FOR BILL TO BE PRESIDENT
May 31st, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Bill Cosby I enjoyed your humour growing up in New Zealand (country with the highest ratio of sheep to people in the world) you make the world a better place.
June 1st, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Mr Cosby. you are a national treasure. God Bless you Sir. Reilly
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Bill, I’m a young man of 63 with children and grandchildren who wanted to express his appreciation for your devotion to helping your community and all Americans. Though I’m not an African American I still feel a real kindship with you and respect your beliefs. I hope you will have major breakthroughs with young and old so we can all be as one…Americans.
Best regards,
John Blevins
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
Your entire family is an inspiration to all of us - thank you all for your dedication and concern for lifetime education and improvement of the family unit of our communities! I am part of yet another organization that wants to partner with your family - organized dentistry - to spread dental health and education throughout our communities. I realize how busy you all are but hope have help improving the dental health of the children of our communities so that they will be able to concentrate on their education and pursuit of family and professional goals.
Gratefully, Bernadette Logan, DDS, Access Issues Committee Chair, PA Dental Assoc.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I grew up listening to Bill’s comedy records which told stories from when he was a kid. I laughed and laughed and always knew that he was a kind, wonderful man. Bless you Bill Cosby and thank you for a lifetime of laughter!
June 5th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I think Bill Cosby is a wonderful man! He has been a role model for many people over the years. I have always said, if I could meet one famous person….it would be Bill Cosby. Watching the Cosby shows over the years is like coming home. It gives you a warm feeling. Bill Cosby…..you are what a real man should be!
June 12th, 2008 at 2:16 am
Thank you for this most imformative and interesting article.During my lifetime I can not remember having been without Mr. Cosby.I have enjoyed his work so very much over the years.I had the opportunity to hear him speak several years
ago at Clearwater,Florida’s Ruth Eckerd Hall and it is a most treasured memory.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
This article was very insightful. One because it gives us a look into the real life of America’s most favorite dad which showed that his stance on education in the Cosby Show was not just a scripted act. Secondly, it drives the importance that educators, both inside and outside the classroom must understand that a student’s learning is individualized and every student learns and thinks differently.
I believe that I am among the top 10 fans of the Cosby Show and I grew up watching it and in many ways I learned alot from the sitcom. I heard my first jazz song from the show, begin to understand what fine art was and so on. I have achieved alot and as a graduate of Teachers College, I am embarking upon my purpose in the education of others to increase access, retention, and graduation rates of disadvantaged youth.
I owe a great deal of my achievement to my family and support but also much of it to my love for the Cosby Show and what it represented.
Thanks Mr. Cosby, daughter, and cast.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:20 am
I am 40yrs old and still, as always am one of Bill Cosby’s biggest fans. It has always been so pleasurable listening to a man who can bring hilarity to simple, everyday occurances without ever a hint of vulgarity,or obscene language. A true comedian who has touched my life for many years. I watched Fat Albert faithfully, collected his vinyl albums (Noah was my favorite), enjoyed his talents with the children on TV, as well as his Jello commercials. I actually was able to see him perform in Dallas many many yrs ago as a young teenager (Fathers), and again as an adult in Bossier City at the Horshoe Casino. I was truly “Starstruck”. I love his adoration for family and am inspired by him eternally. Everytime anyone ever asks me who my hero in life is or who I would like to meet if given the opportunity…the answer is always the same…Bill Cosby…hands down. Bless you for all you do and all you represent.
June 29th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Mr. Cosby I love you. Your tv shows were the best of the best and when you, as Cliff Huxtable, danced your tv wife, Clare, off the set on the last show, I cried at the sweetness and classiness of it. Sometimes there is perfection.I read once that you disliked the Archie Bunker character of All in the Family. As a white woman I’d like to say that I think that program showed my father’s generation how ridiculous some of their notions were and caused them to change their minds. When your son, Ennis, was murdered, I felt very sad for you and your family. We need good people in this world and we need not to have them taken away from us too soon. May your daughters live long, wonderful lives.Thank you for entertaining us and helping to make us feel worthy of your presence.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Beautifully written, Erika. Bill Cosby is my life-long hero. I even have novelty percussion groups (Kitchen Krash and Bing Bang) inspired completely by Fat Albert’s Junkyard Band. Obviously he has passed on his amazing legacy to his children, but, he continues to inspire countless children and adults everywhere. I share his passion for education and will continue to spread his good message for the rest of my life. Long live the Cosby family.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:46 am
WOW its gotta be awesome to have himas DAD luv your dad HE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS ,WANTED TO SEE HIM IN BRANSON UNFORTUNATELY wont be visiting Branson again :( visited over weekend to see TERRY FATOR AWESOME AWESOME ,HOWEVER HOTEL WHISPERING HILLS INN IS STILL STUCK IN SLAVERY TIMES found cute note in my room PLEASE REMOVE MAKEUP W COLOR TOWEL color is that a dig OUCH ,SORRY WONDER IF THEY HAVE SIGNS FOR PEOPLE THAT WEAR SPRAY ON TOWELS TO USE COLOR TOWELS …CAN U BELIEVE THAT ,DOES YOUR DAD HAVE AWEBSITE so hat I can relay this message to him sorry dont like to be insulted to tell me to remove MY MAKEUP W A CRUDDY COLORED TOWELS took pix couldnt believe my eyes no wasnt in all the rooms just non white
Thanx
July 27th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I got this email and want to know if Bill Cosby really wrote it…
Subject: Bill Cosby tells it like it should be
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Bill Cosby tells it like it should be. I am going to vote for him.
>
>
>
> I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE.
> HERE IS MY PLATFORM:
>
> (1) Press 1 for English is immediately banned. English is the
> official language; speak it or wait at the border until you can.
>
> (2) We will immediately go into a two year isolationist posture to
> straighten out the country’s attitude. NO imports, no exports.
> We will use the ‘Walmart’ policy, ‘If we ain’t got it, you don’t
> need it.’
>
> (3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.
>
> (4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one
> of our many observation towers on the southern border.
> (six month tour) They will be under strict orders not to fire
> on SOUTHBOUND aliens.
>
> (5) Social security will immediately return to its original state.
> If you didn’t put nuttin in, you ain’t gettin nuttin out. The
> president nor any other politician will not be able to touch it.
>
> (6) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of
> the 40 hour school week and the successful completion of
> urinalysis and a passing grade.
>
> (7) Professional Athletes –Steroids - The FIRST time you check
> positive you’re banned for life.
>
> (8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method, the first time you
> steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more life sentences.
> If convicted, you will be put to death by the same method you
> chose for your victim; gun, knife, strangulation, etc.
>
> (9) One export will be allowed; Wheat, The world needs to eat.
> A bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.
>
> (10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will
> immediately cease, and the saved money will pay off the
> national debt and ultimately lower taxes. When disasters
> occur around the world, we’ll ask the American people
> if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen
> can make the decision whether it’s a worthy cause.
>
> (11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school
> and every day in Congress.
>
> (12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate
> ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.
>
> Sorry if I stepped on anyone’s toes but a vote for me will get you
> better than what you have, and better than what you’re gonna get.
> Thanks for listening, and remember to write in my name on the ballot in
> November.
> God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
>
> Bill Cosby!!!!!!!!
July 28th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Bill, I have missed you since those days of my childhood. I tried to see you perform in Richmond, VA a few years ago but the show was canceled twice. One of my fondest memories was being thrown out of a public library as a 8 year old child because I was laughing too loud listening to one of the three or 4 albums(yes, albums) that I now own. I think it was “Why is there Air?” or “Bill Cosby, is a very funny fellow… Right.” Noah, is an absolute classic as are so many other stories that you have told to countless millions. I can think of no one else who can tell a story the way that you do. And the best part about it is that you didn’t need curse words to make it funny or add emphasis. One of my greatest desires is to one day meet you and be able to listen and learn about what helped you to become the man you are today. If you, or your family, are reading these messages, it would thrill me to no end to hear from you. I will leave my address at MySpace so that I don’t have the world crashing down on me through my email. All the best to you and your family…
Sincerely,
Jacob Canon
www(dot)myspace(dot)com/jacobcanon1
July 30th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Greetings,
I have thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Cosby’s profound gift as an actor, writer and comedian. I have two brothers who resemble Mr. Cosby, they could actually be his twins. My older brother and my youngest brother. Both of them have kept us laughing over the years. Our family has suffered great losses, both parents while we were still in high school and grade school. And since I have been an adult, in 1998, I buried my ten year old son. But I could always turn to the Cosby show and receive the medicine of laughter, an instant cure. When I heard of the death of Ennis, my heart broke, as if I had lost a very dear friend. I am grateful to the Cosby children, and Mrs. Cosby for sharing Bill Cosby, a great man ,with the world.
Phyllis Davis
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
we thank you mr COSBY for all the lesson you thought us throughout the years, lesson that we can use for ourselves, for our children, our grand’children from generation to generation.. you are timeless.. i just hope someday i can meet you. thank you thank you thank you so much.. GOD bless..
August 7th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I Am Now Myself An Age Of 47 Years,And Yet From That Child Like Place God Made In Our
Hearts I Can Say From Mine; Mr Cosby (To Your Dad and On Tv He’s Is Mine) =(And Much
Like My Own Dad But He’s Gone Now) To Say I Love You Sir Good Night Dad….John
August 7th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
The article was excellent! My husband and I have 4 children and they grew up watching the Cosby Show and it was family time for us to watch it together. My middle daughter just graduated from NCA&T and we had the privilege of hearing Mr. Cosby’s commencement speech and his advice for the graduates was right on the money. Thank you so much for all you do to help promote education and self esteem and dignity to our people. When can we expect another quality show such as Cosby was and still is, as we just became grandparents and know that whatever comes from your Dad will be high quality for our grandchildren to experience.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I’d like to send Bill Cosby the Coalition Against Violence documents.
Thanks.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
I have to thank Bill Cosby for what he has done in terms of bringing happiness to my life. The Cosby Show is my favorite show because his character is personal and one that I can relate to. He inspired me to find value in every day life and to perform humor when necessary. He is the reason why I am happy with my life and he allowed me to see that life is indeed a beautiful entity. I am now a real estate agent in Springfield, Pennsylvania, and I am here because everytime I have not done something correctly, I know that I can overcome my faults if I perceive the matter in a more optimistic way. I have to thank Bill Cosby for his wonderful insight in life. Thank you very much!
August 21st, 2008 at 11:33 am
This article was a great tribute from a daughter to a father.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Hello Friend, I have gained immense knowledge and self -confidence thru the television series’ the many books and articles, interviews even your private pilot Clarence Beverly who is my daughters’ grand-uncle. You and your family have been influential throughout many of my familys’ lives as well and I applaud you for revealing the difficult subjects “we” don’t want discussed in public. Keep it real, you and Dick Gregory were the the first comedians we were “permitted” to listen to though we heard them all and I’ll never ever forget the impact and pride instilled in me for my race as you’ve instituted through your works. A hearty “thank you” and may God continually bless you in your many endeavors.
Camden, NJ doesn’t educate well but we strive all the time for “E”xcellence!!!!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:56 pm
My name is Walter (The Trainer) Jackson and I am sending you this email in hopes for a response. I‘ve been in the personal training business for many years now and since that time I have created two aerobic exercises. The exercises are Doa-Chan-Doa and Trampo-Step aerobic. I’ve also created the exercise equipment for each of the exercises. The Doa-Chan-Bar is the equipment used to perform doa-chan-doa aerobic and for trampo-step I created the tramplatform. I have the video copyrights for each exercise and on one piece of equipment the tramplatform its patent pending. I am currently teaching aerobic classes five days a week. Many gym members and my clients have giving me their testimonies of weight loss, increased flexibility, muscle tone and strength while performing these exercises. I myself have witness some of these changes. These exercises help me to stay on top of my game and they keep very much in shape. What I looking for is a company that will help me to further my goals such as workout DVDs manufacturing and marketing my inventions. I have currently shared my invention with a company that has helped me with the development and patent search and has helped with getting a patent pending status. In the agreement it state that I have an option either to use them or go at it on my on. I chose to go at it on my on. I am looking for an opportunity to work with a company that can help me launch the next biggest exercise and innovated piece of equipment since the step bench. If you are in any way interested in helping me reach these goals you can reach me anytime at this number or my email address. (713)412-8752 email- fitquestfitness@yahoo.com
Thanking You In Advance
Walter (The Trainer) Jackson
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Trying to find someone who will beieve in me.
August 31st, 2008 at 1:43 pm
to all you people who say bill cosby is great get a life. here is a black man who hate his own skin color. he have taught his child to look down on her race. its a shame that we as black people hate our own so much just so the white man can be happy. you see they don’t have to say any bad things about us they have people like bill to do it for them. i thought his shows was a setup for black people also. it had white people thinking that all blacks live like him own the show or was no good how sad. someone please tell me when will the ideas that white people have for and about us stop sifting into our own thoughts of who we are.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I have listened and learned from Bill Cosby almost for all of my 53 years. I was delighted to share his philosophies with my two boys as they grew. I was so jealous when they got to see him live at the Naval Academy, so I decided to see him this Saturday!!! I always feel so inspired and proud to be an American while laughing with this great man, and I thank God that we have shared this time on earth. Thanks to Himself, and thanks to you for carrying on a positive tradition!!!
September 13th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Thank you Ms. Erika. Your article is heard loud and clear. You have a profound knowledge identical to your dad to be admired and to force educators to be either encouraged or at least be on notice. Too often the educational system (superintendents, principals and teachers) simply hand out grades that rid them of students to prepare adequate space for the next load. There is no longer an emphasis to see that the child becomes educated. I do realize much has to be done at home to encourage them as well, but when this fails there should be somebody who can be paid to catch those that seemingly fall through the cracks. Parents and guardians tend to get so involved in providing that they forget this includes a sounder foundation for their offspring. Whatever happened to the skills given early on to support entrepreneurial abilities.
Thanks to Ennis as well for being a sound board for those suffering from dyslexia.
Many of us know of young men who were placed in special education classes because the educator lacked knowledge in this condition and the paycheck came faster than the solution. Also, we certainly can recall a few who have surpassed the low expectations and have become prosperous business owners. I love those success stories.
Thank you Dr. Cosby. Thanks - from I Spy to eye-opening conversations about youths, adults and responsibilities. I enjoyed the Fat Albert Shows as a child. Whenever I see anything having to do with The Fat Albert Show it reminds me of the easier times enjoyed while eating Saturday morning’s cereal, sitting in a comfy chair and the lessons learned. I knew then education had not ended on Friday evening. My parents insisted the same values. My ten year old can’t get enough of the Fat Albert movie. It would be nice for her to have that same advantage on weekends. Nonetheless, education continues beyond Friday evenings still in my house. Thank you Dr. Camille Cosby for inspiring great contributors who are proud to share unconditionally.
September 27th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Dear Mr. Bill and Miss Erika, I enjoyed my Bill Cosby records in the 60’s and then my children and I received the wonderful pleasure of watching ‘The Cosby Show’ as they were growing up. I still cry when I watch the last one from 1992 when Theo graduates.
Thank you dear Mr. Bill for standing up for all the good family values and for sharing yourself with us for all these years. I am so thankful you have your wonderful daughter and I am so very sorry for your loss of your dear son.
Thank you again, we love you! May God bless you and your family.
With Love and Blessings, Barbara Bryant Estes Charlotte, N. C.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:23 am
All I can say is “I Love that Man”, He says it like it is! Yes to bad he doesn’t run for president, he would be a good one for sure and how we must all miss him from the TV screen.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
whenever mr cosby stays at the riverside hilton new orleans,he ask for the banquet mgr that always have his camera in his pocket ,and we take pictureswith the wait staff ………….MR COSBY IS A PRINCE OF A GUY
September 29th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I felt bad for his son, and wonder why it was so quietly kept. I must be the only person who no longer likes Bill. I see him as a panderer.
There is an organization @Fordham U to help teachers train to teached disabled students? get the information out and quit posturing..and I really didn’t like the elitist remarks made by Erika regarding the private schools she went to in New York, FYI while your Dad was still broke in Philly? Thousands of Black children had graduated from prestigious schools. Just so you know, there are a lot of Black millionaire’s children around but they are not pompous, some because they are 2nd and 3rd generations.
Maybe I don’t like men who pretend to be holier than thou ,but like to play in
the hay, behind their lovely wives’ backs..I remember Bill all the way back from the club “Syncopation.” Yeah,real nice. Who the hell wants a confused old fart for President? we have one trying to get into office..signed I don’t kiss butt just because you have money and fame.
He is a phony we should talk sometime, Mr. Bill Cosby the great American role model.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
my grandson israel is in love with little bill show that comes on noggentv. i enjoy it as well. my grandson gose to sleep at night after the little bill show this show has very good values how do we get the dvds israel dose not sleep well at home with out it thank you kindly israels grandmother kim
September 30th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Bill Cosby always did know how to tell it like it really is. We always see ourselves and many of our own thoughts in what he has the courage to say.
October 13th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Bill Cosby is an excellent example of a great human being. He’s witty, down to earth and is comfortable to watch. I just wish there were more of him and more like him.
I am a white man and have worked all my life among both whites and blacks. I have blacks who have worked as hard as me and who I refer to as my friends. The only difference between them and Bill is they have me as a friend in return and Bill don’t even know me. Bill Cosby, Thank You !
October 17th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
This is great!!! i loved reading this articlE!!
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
i love watching this show! this has touched me so much and i thank and god bess them. i am in my teen years and i think that u should get ur child and tell them to read it. if it wasnt for my mother i wouldnt have read this and now it has helped me understand life. it also shows how big a familys love is. GOD BESS AMERICA!! and thank you.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:33 pm
i love watching this show! this has touched me so much and i thank and god bess them. i am in my teen years and i think that u should get ur child and tell them to read it. if it wasnt for my mother i wouldnt have read this and now it has helped me understand life. it also shows how big a familys love is. GOD BESS AMERICA!! and thank you. and i hope to go very far in life.
December 20th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
As a doctor in the Cosby Show, Bill was great and a reminder that not all black fathers are deadbeats!
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
this is an awesome writing and i will publish it on my show with a narrator to read it aloud on my reunion show. i hope to get you guys there to be starring right there when it is being read. in fact . . .
more details on another time. ill give you guys and gals a call. ok. bye!
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
this is an awesome writing and i will publish it on my show with a narrator to read it aloud on my reunion show. i hope to get you guys there to be starring right there when it is being read. in fact . . .
more details on another time. ill give you guys and gals a call. ok. thanks. bye!
oh yeah. and . . .
well please consider this message. we and the fans of you and this show would really appreciate it. ok. thanks again. now bye!
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
hi bill and daughters. nice pic. and writing.
January 1st, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Bill Cosby is so so so so so funny.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Over twenty years ago, I was a young girl who had the opportunity to hear Mr. Cosby perform in an unusual environment, a synagogue, this was one of the most memorable experiences in my life, and I have been a big fan since then. I am now grown with my own kids and follow all Mr. Cosby’s wonderful work he is trying to do in the Springfield, MA area. I am also involved in putting together a day called “Mitzvah Day” (the act of doing a good deed in the Jewish religion). I would soooo much like to contact him and see if he would perhaps participate in this important day. He has done so much for the community and I feel my community (Longmeadow) needs to get off their snotty pillars and realize so much help is needed (and good deeds) need to be done for surrounding less fortunate communities. Anyone who can get back to me on this please do.
Mr. Cosby, if you do receive this, thank you in advance for at least hearing me out and thinking about my request.
Dayna
January 7th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
i will love for him to be my daddy. am doing him on my black history broad
January 7th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
dear bill
i feel so sad that when i walk in the class room.because i failed the 8th grade and if any now how i can contact me at tannerdomonique@yahoo.com or 7737371066
January 7th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
dear bill cosby
ur awsome dude i mean im olny in seventh garde but dude ur a lucky man i mean people think its weird that i talk about how sweet u r and it makes me mad that ur show isnt on anymore well yeah talk to u later.
January 7th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
hello i thinkbill cosby is an awesome man God hasgiven him great talent. well talk yo you later!
January 11th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I hope that Dr. Cosby will be appointed as an Ambassador of Good Will - he has common sense, a voice of reason - something that seems to be lacking these days.
January 11th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
This is for Dr BIll Cosby and I hope somehow, someway, God willing he will see this. My son is a high-functioning autsitic child. He is social but lacks communication skills. When he was 3 he could only say one-word sentences. I (on a mental nudge), got a video at my library of Bill Cosby series of shorts called Picture Pages that was aimed at children. By the second short my son waved at the TV and for the first time ever put 2 words together and said “Hi Bill!” It brought tears to my eyes. Even thru the medium of TV, Bill touched a part of my son nobody else could reach. My boy is now 6 and can talk pretty well but still more on the level of a 4 year old instead of 6. He is making strides and I give the credit to Bill Cosby to start him linking words.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:35 am
that was cool
January 13th, 2009 at 11:35 am
that was interesting
January 20th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Erin,
How blessed you are to have had Bill Cosby as your dad. My 13 year old son and I watch every night; and the evening would not be complete without our dose of “the Cosby Show”. It was truly one of the last great family shows. I think my son almost believes he is a member of the Huxtable family, although he would never look like he belongs with his blond hair and white skin. I know he wishes he was a Huxtable and in some ways thinks he is. We always refer to Cosby episodes throughout our week Your dad provided a great role model of a decent, hard-workingr man, father and husband for all boys no matter their race. I know the success of the show had a great deal to do with the character and integrity of Bill Cosby.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Cosby’s a true example of family, unity and love. My family and I have watched and love your show from childhood to adulthood and every episode echoed family values and great morals. Our passion and desire is working with youth beginning at an early age to educate, direct, strenthen —in short term ‘life coach”. My family and I have opened our doors to youth from all sectors of life. Even in this economic time…we are still reaching out with 5 barley loaves and 3 fish..Our God is real.
We live in the suburban area of Atlanta and would love to foster the educational aspect of what your foundation represents here to enhance the educational growth of our youth population. I can be contacted at P O Box 5312, Douglasville, Ga 30154.
Blessings to you and your family.