Cosby agrees with Carter racism claims

Comedian Bill Cosby agrees with former President Jimmy Carter that racism plays a role in much of the opposition to President Barack Obama.

The former star of the self-titled "Cosby Show" took to Twitter and Facebook to share his thoughts on Carter's remarks. Carter said on Tuesday that the "9/12" protests and other "tea party" protests were motivated by racist attitudes among the participants.

Cosby tweeted late Wednesday:

I agree with President Carter that racism is playing a role in recent outbursts against President Obama.

In a statement on Facebook, Cosby wrote:

During President Obama’s speech on the status of health care reform, some members of congress engaged in a public display of disrespect. While one Representative hurled the now infamous “you lie” insult at the President, others made their lack of interest known by exhibiting rude behavior such as deliberately yawning and sending text messages.

Various polls prior to the election indicated that between five and ten percent of Americans would never vote for an African American president. That number, of course, only includes those who actually admitted to their prejudice. How many others harbored such feelings but did not respond honestly when asked the question? And how many people oppose Obama’s plan because the President is African American?

In "Birth of a Nation," D.W. Griffith used white actors in black face to portray black legislators as having low intelligence and acting like fools. Today, we have a band of real life congressional fools seemingly bent on blocking any meaningful reform of the health care system. But if we allow even one American to die simply because he or she cannot afford treatment, we are creating a shameful scenario that could aptly be called “Death of a Nation.”

Cosby has been politically active throughout his career, speaking out on issues of race, socioeconomic status, and education.

Cross-posted to the Twitter Room