Bill Cosby tells VCU students: ‘Value yourself’
Bill Cosby wove biblical allegories with tales from his childhood tonight to bring a simple message to Virginia Commonwealth University.
"You're in college," he told them. "Value yourself."
Wearing a black sweatshirt that said "VCU Football -- Undefeated since 1968," Cosby spoke to an audience of about 6,000 at the Siegel Center.
His appearance, the final event celebrating VCU's 40th anniversary, served double duty. It also marked the first presentation in the new L. Douglas Wilder Lectureship Series.
Wilder, Richmond's mayor who also holds the title of distinguished professor, will return to the university full time when he leaves office in January, VCU President Eugene Trani said at the beginning of the event.
Wilder described Cosby as "my good friend" who "does things in a comic fashion but he is not a comic."
With that introduction, Cosby gave a funny talk laced with serious advice.
Before there were psychologists, he said, "there were real parents who were like god, who by the way was a single parent."
Reader Reactions
I am most disappointed, I would have thought for sure that Bill Cosby would have more self respect than to allow a bafoon like Wilder to refer to him as a “good friend” Bill Cosby stands for everything Wilder will not. Honesty is at the top of the list.
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