This short video is difficult to find, but well worth tracking down and viewing. I saw this in my American Ethnic Writer's class and it sparked a plethora of conversation and thought in all of us. Our class is diverse, with just-out-of-high- school kids to several people from the over-40 crowd. Cosby uses music, lighting, make-up (he wears "white-face" in the presentation), a cigar, and a single chair to add impact to his words. He reviews the situation of various ethnic groups, including his own, old people, kids, women, and regional American groups. His character denigrates every possible group, often with harsh and what would be called un-PC insensitivity. But that is the character. Cosby's message is that bigotry exists and it is based on a short- sighted lack of understanding about "other people." This video was part of Cosby's doctoral dissertation for U of Mass, and the thought and wit he put into it is apparent. He stirs the pot and disses everyone, showing only how shallow and sad his character is in his bigotry. This is a masterpiece and should be required viewing in high schools, colleges, universities across the nation and anywhere else people come together to learn or discuss issues.
5 Reviews
Strange...but worth seeing.
planktonrules29 August 2009
This is not an easy film to find but it's well worth seeing. While it's not nearly as funny as BILL COSBY: HIMSELF or as educational as BLACK HISTORY: LOST, STOLEN OR STRAYED, it is one of Cosby's more interesting works...and you certainly have never seen anything quite like it!
The film consists of Cosby sitting in a chair and talking. There does not appear to be an audience but he just talks. He plays a character of indeterminate race, as his face is partially painted white and the color of the film changes several times. What he talks about will no doubt catch people by surprise, as he begins making derogatory comments about every possible racial, ethnic, religious, age or gender group there is. His language, at times, is blunt and brutal--as is prejudice and I loved how he didn't clean this up as it would have deadened the impact. In fact, I am not sure in this politically correct world of today if anyone would dare to say the things he says in the film or even air it on television--and this is sad, because the film really does nothing but convince the viewer of how despicable and stupid bigots are.
Brilliant and blunt...it's well worth a look and it's amazing to see Cosby stay in character like this for so long as well as to think of this many ways to hate!
The film consists of Cosby sitting in a chair and talking. There does not appear to be an audience but he just talks. He plays a character of indeterminate race, as his face is partially painted white and the color of the film changes several times. What he talks about will no doubt catch people by surprise, as he begins making derogatory comments about every possible racial, ethnic, religious, age or gender group there is. His language, at times, is blunt and brutal--as is prejudice and I loved how he didn't clean this up as it would have deadened the impact. In fact, I am not sure in this politically correct world of today if anyone would dare to say the things he says in the film or even air it on television--and this is sad, because the film really does nothing but convince the viewer of how despicable and stupid bigots are.
Brilliant and blunt...it's well worth a look and it's amazing to see Cosby stay in character like this for so long as well as to think of this many ways to hate!
Mr. Cosby delivers a satirical look at prejudice
caustin-628 November 2006
This video is an excellent example of how anyone/everyone can be prejudiced. Bill Cosby includes stereotypical prejudicial remarks against many races, ethnicities, religions, age groups and geographical areas. His satire shows how ridiculous gross generalizations are. He uses "white face" (the opposite of "black face") and lighting in all the colors of the rainbow for further non-verbal commentary. The content is sometimes harsh, as he uses politically incorrect language mostly in the way of slang words for different ethnic groups. My students watch this video before they read ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY by Mildred D. Taylor. I use it as a springboard for discussion on prejudice. I love this video! It shows us how stupid bigotry is.
Very Effective Demonstration of Bigotry
dannylectro-112 November 2013
Seated in a theater-in-the round with his face painted silver, Bill Cosby voices the views of all types of bigots present in The United States of America in 1971. Using derogatory ethnic slurs, Cosby expresses contempt for everyone; Caucasians, African-Americans, Jews, the elderly, and numerous other groups.
I saw this film twice. The first time was at my grade school in 1974, the second, in college a decade later. Each time, it was highly effective at making me understand bigotry and how my own father attempted to hand down similar views to his children. By aiming the hatred at everyone and not just one ethnic group, Cosby demonstrated how it felt to be hated and taught me to unlearn the negativity acquired from my father.
I saw this film twice. The first time was at my grade school in 1974, the second, in college a decade later. Each time, it was highly effective at making me understand bigotry and how my own father attempted to hand down similar views to his children. By aiming the hatred at everyone and not just one ethnic group, Cosby demonstrated how it felt to be hated and taught me to unlearn the negativity acquired from my father.
Done more than 40 years ago, but it still holds currency today
llltdesq15 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This is a beautifully done live action short performed, written, produced and co-directed by Bill Cosby. There will be spoilers ahead:
I first saw this more than 40 years ago, around the time it was done and it has stayed with me ever since. The premise is incredibly simple, basic and direct. For the entire short, Bill Cosby is sitting in a chair, holding court to an invisible audience, smoking a cigar and doing riffs on what's wrong with various groups-old, young, Jews, blacks, Mexicans, Irish and so on. When he thoroughly discusses most, if not all, the major stereotypical conceits about the old, young and various ethnic groups, he goes after people from various geographical regions in the US, starting with southerners. Then he goes after women.
At the start, because of the lighting and face makeup, holding and smoking his cigar, he reminds me of a more sour and demented variation of Groucho Marx. There's a constant refrain of "I don't mean them harm/ I don't want bloodshed, I'm against that, but put them somewhere, get them out of the way" which runs through all the diatribes. This guy truly doesn't care for any of these groups.
Music thematically tied to each section of the rant is skillfully used to underscore what's being said and it effectively helps create a mood. The saddest thing is that there isn't a single stereotype or bit of invective which wouldn't be found in use and believed by somebody now, some 43 years after this was made. I suspect that someone will be able to say that 40 years from today. I doubt humanity will make much progress on that score.
The ending is marvelous and is the perfect ending. At one point, this short was available through Pyramid Films on VHS and perhaps on DVD as well. It's most worth finding and watching. Most highly recommended.
I first saw this more than 40 years ago, around the time it was done and it has stayed with me ever since. The premise is incredibly simple, basic and direct. For the entire short, Bill Cosby is sitting in a chair, holding court to an invisible audience, smoking a cigar and doing riffs on what's wrong with various groups-old, young, Jews, blacks, Mexicans, Irish and so on. When he thoroughly discusses most, if not all, the major stereotypical conceits about the old, young and various ethnic groups, he goes after people from various geographical regions in the US, starting with southerners. Then he goes after women.
At the start, because of the lighting and face makeup, holding and smoking his cigar, he reminds me of a more sour and demented variation of Groucho Marx. There's a constant refrain of "I don't mean them harm/ I don't want bloodshed, I'm against that, but put them somewhere, get them out of the way" which runs through all the diatribes. This guy truly doesn't care for any of these groups.
Music thematically tied to each section of the rant is skillfully used to underscore what's being said and it effectively helps create a mood. The saddest thing is that there isn't a single stereotype or bit of invective which wouldn't be found in use and believed by somebody now, some 43 years after this was made. I suspect that someone will be able to say that 40 years from today. I doubt humanity will make much progress on that score.
The ending is marvelous and is the perfect ending. At one point, this short was available through Pyramid Films on VHS and perhaps on DVD as well. It's most worth finding and watching. Most highly recommended.
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