2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumDr. Cornel West Says ‘Brother Bernie’ Will Win The Black Lives Matter Vote
Bernie Sanders is as much an insurgent as Jesse Jackson was, according to Cornel West, who worked for both Jackson campaigns and is now the socialist Democratic presidential candidates most high-profile black backer.
Absolutely, no doubt about it, the academic and campaigner told the Guardian. There are some similarities and elective affinities.
Jackson ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination in 1984 and 1988, winning 6.6m votes and 11 states in his second campaign, and his run was historic, West said. But the Sanders campaign is even more progressive than Jacksons were, because his critique of Wall Street is more direct, West said in an interview last week.
What Jackson had and Sanders does not was strong black support. But, said West, thats what we are going to get once black people find out who Brother Sanders is. West said he thought African Americans would rally behind the white guy from the Ben and Jerrys state who is not a household name when they discovered he was for economic reforms such as free tuition at public universities, single payer healthcare and closing tax loopholes for oligarchs, he said.
In my mind, the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement will recognize that Brother Bernie is much stronger on people, on economic justice, and on racism than any other candidates, West said.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/cornel-west-says-brother-bernie-sanders-will-win-the-black-lives-matter-vote/
Wankle Ronnie
(66 posts)Preach on!
big_dog
(4,144 posts)mythology
(9,527 posts)Sanders has definitely taken steps designed to appeal to minority voters. It's a long road to go, but Sanders is nothing if not an enthusiastic campaigner who works really hard.
Skwmom
(12,685 posts)http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/06/24/can-clinton-step-forward-on-race-without-leaving-white-voters-behind/
It couldn't have worked out better for her than if Team Clinton had planned it. Imagine that. I guess we can believe in unicorns and rainbows after all..
appalachiablue
(41,148 posts)zappaman
(20,606 posts)Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)I know, I know, he offended you by saying mean things about Obama.
lib87
(535 posts)I'm all for him backing any candidate of his choosing but the wording made me laugh.
appalachiablue
(41,148 posts)including Bernie on occasion to rally audiences. Cornel West uses brother when referring to Pres. Obama. While an old expression perhaps it's new to some.
lib87
(535 posts)Which is why I am still laughing.
WillyT
(72,631 posts)bigdarryl
(13,190 posts)Some black lives matter.Most of these kids I'm willing to bet aren't even registered to vote
Number23
(24,544 posts)I could give two cents about Cornell and his endorsement and think that Black Lives Matter is infinitely more important and relevant than Cornell has been in 20 years.