DALLAS —  Actor and comedian Bill Cosby (search) appeared at a town hall meeting in Dallas on Monday and called on parents to get involved with their children's schooling.

"There's a revolution that needs to start," Cosby said. "It's not pointed yet in the direction ... where City Hall is, not yet. It's pointed in the neighborhood."

Cosby challenged the mostly black audience of 1,200 at the meeting in South Dallas to keep their children off the streets. He also urged parents to be more accountable.

"Ladies and gentlemen, for goodness' sake, join together. There's nothing at risk about your child, except you."

The Rev. Donald Parish of the predominantly black True Lee Missionary Baptist Church said he was impressed by Cosby's message.

"It's a message we need to hear instead of fighting it," he said. "We, the community, just need to finally get the message and do something about it."