Bill Cosby is making his voice heard.
The actor and comedian was interviewed by CNN's Don Lemon to honor the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Bombing, and discussed growing up in a housing project, the over-medication of inmates and the state of today's black culture.
But the conversation quickly turned to the type of leaders the black community needs in the 21st century.
"I think it has to come from the universities," Cosby said. "I think, women, strongly because when you see 70 percent, in research, that says they are the leaders of the household, what we need is for people to realize I want to raise my kid. I want to go back and get my three kids. I want to take on that responsibility. I want to love my children."
The former "Cosby Show" star stressed the importance of earning a college degree, even if it means going back to get a high school diploma or attending a community college. This is not the first time Cosby has made controversial remarks about this topic. Earlier this year, the comedian wrote a New York Post column criticizing the supposed apathy and poor behavior of black people.
"Your children are walking the streets loudly using profanity feeling kind of powerful as they storm the subway or whatever," he wrote." I'm not asking people to not be children, but this is anger stuff. They get on the subways and they're disrespecting elders. What happened to the old saying, 'I didn't raise you like that.'"
In light of the anniversary of the Birmingham church bombings, Cosby did remember to speak about the tragic event that killed four little girls in 1963 and explained how remembering the attack is crucial.
"What America has to understand is that some people get embarrassed about what happened, there are people who don't want to see these scenes talked about again," he said. "It's painful but we have to really get to this."
Cosby has been called out in the past for talking too much on problems and not giving any solutions, while others have wondered why he does not talk more about positive steps in the black community.
"Now, about this time, this is when you hear the no-groes jump up and say 'Why don't you talk about the good things?'" he said. "Because the good things happen to be taking care of themselves pretty well."
Cosby concluded the interview with a bit of insight about his own hardships growing up.
"The reason why I'm giving you this information is because I was living in the projects," he said. "I was not taking care of myself in terms of managing my education, and once the door opened and I saw quote, unquote, the light, I started to become very successful."
