Cos' reality check:

CNN.com - Bill Cosby has more harsh words for black community - Jul 1, 2004

So let's make this real clear: Cos has identified an extemely important obstacle to true equal
rights. This behavior is the fuel-of-choice for racist fear mongering. A related issue is the "slobification" of all popular culture, but a conversation in the black community about its particular manifestation of this may have tremendous leverage for society-wide discussion.

By the way CNN, the term "tirade" indicates a protracted speech marked by intemperate, vituperative, or harshly censorious language...really? How about "frank comments"? A little less pejorative. Perhaps a little more fair and balanced (gasp!)?