Entertainer Bill Cosby scolded churchgoers who lecture religion but fail to confront problems that plague their communities.
Speaking at the University of the District of Columbia on Tuesday, Cosby addressed the importance of social responsibility.
“I have no problem with Jesus or God,” he told an audience that filled two-thirds of UDC’s 900-seat auditorium and included foster parents and grandparents, and social service providers. “I have a problem with people sitting there and saying that Jesus and God will find the way. I have a problem with Christian men who won’t dress up and go down and confront the drug dealers.”
“I got a problem,” Cosby added, “with people not knowing where the gun is hid and that the child has one.” His remarks were greeted by laughter and applause.
The two-hour afternoon appearance was largely subdued, except for the end when a self-described community activist accused the comedian of hosting a “watered-down dialogue.” The activist pointedly brought up the name of Michael Eric Dyson, an author who has derided Cosby’s critique of low-income African-Americans.
“You don’t deserve an audience with me,” Cosby said, climbing down from the stage, walking over to the man, Chris Crowder, who was seated in a wheelchair, and looming over him.
“I’m not afraid of any Mr. Dyson,” Cosby told Crowder before turning and returning to the stage. “Mr. Dyson is not a truthful man.”
Cosby has taken his “Call Out” tour across the country for the past year and a half, including appearances in New York, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland and Baltimore.