Why Bernie Sanders is no Great White Hope for Black America

[bravenak]

by PAUL STREET



“What’s wrong with Those People?”

It’s good to know a little history when trying to make sense of current events.

“What’s wrong with those people,” the young liberal white town woman – a big environmentalist – said to me a month or so ago. “Don’t they know that Bernie is their best hope?”

My “those people,” she meant Black people, who she had recently read were not showing a lot of support (in polls) for Bernie Sanders’ campaign for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

This was well before the recent incident in Seattle, where a Sanders speech was interrupted by some purported Black Lives Matter “activists. “ It was also prior to a similar disruption of Sanders by Black “activists” at the NetrRoots conference in Phoenix.

While I do not pretend to know all the facts behind the skirmishes in Seattle and Reno, I do not share many white liberals’ and progressives’ sense that it is outrageous or mysterious for Black Americans to be uninspired by the Sanders’ campaign. Sanders may – as he made a point of telling the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) a few weeks ago – have participated as a young man in the early and mid-1960s Civil Rights Movement. Good for him. So did millions of other people, including no small number of idealistic young white adults (including my parents in Chicago in 1966).



http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/08/12/why-bernie-sanders-is-no-great-white-hope-for-black-america/

I thought maybe we needed a review of the Omnibus crime bill vote and remind ourselves that Bernie voted for it.

[HassleCat]

1. Neither is Clinton

I don't know of any politician who would devote a whole lot of time, once elected, to the very difficult issues of race in the United States. It would be mostly a thankless task, reaping heavy criticism from blacks, whites and the family dog. Black people in the US feel an emotional connection to Clinton, so they will vote for her in big numbers. I assume they realize she likes them, and will continue to like them, but will not stick out her political neck for them.

[bravenak]

2. Her side is not saying she IS.

His grassroots seem to think he is and THEY TELL US SO DIRECTLY. Which can get irritating, you know? People telling you what is best for you based on your color? White people spamming blacks with 'BERNIE IS YOUR ONLY HOPE BLACK PEOPLE', messages? Harassing us about hillary and bill and mass incarceration when bernie voted for the thing bill signed?

[George II]

59. Excellent point. Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton voted for the mass incarceration bill....

....Sanders did.

And his rationalization (very similar to his rationalization for his vote for the bill to protect gun manufacturers)?

"It had some good things in it".

[bravenak]

62. In the words of the great Hillary Clinton I wish they would, "Knock it off!"

[108vcd]

3. why does "those people"

always have to be taken in the context of implied racism by the person who said it?

please look up the definition of "those", it's to indicate a group, thing, etc....nothing more, nothing less

"those people" can be any people...white, black, yellow or red, but for some reason, when it's used to indicate black people, it's racist

seriously, i'm curious?

[bravenak]

5. Has no one ever explained the concept of 'otherizing' to you?

It is a very interesting concept and very accurate. You should look it up.

[108vcd]

8. i know what term "otherizing" means..

it still doesn't mean the person stating it, is racist in any way

[bravenak]

9. It certainly does not. I agree. Clumsy language, yes, certainly racist? NO NO NO!!!

[LiberalArkie]

57. As an old fart who lived through all that.

First we had the famous N word. The politically correct people started using "colored people". Then it went to "those people". I think next was "black" or African American", I can't remember. It still hasn't made it to woman or man, we still have to assign some label to separate people.

[TheFarS1de]

116. The old adage remains ...

Divide and Conquer . The more bickering there is the less chance anything has of progressing . Modern Politics 101 .

[thesquanderer]

138. But how do you talk about issues that disproportionately effect certain people...

...without coming up with some way to reference which people you are talking about?

But yes, "colored" and "negro" used to be considered appropriate (and the remnants of that can be seen in the United Negro College Fund and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and they gave way to "black" and "African American" because of the connotations that had grown up around the earlier terms. And I guess we'll keep needing new terms, until we don't need any.

[LiberalArkie]

139. Yes, the terms keep changing because we feel the need to classify people.

I think we feel that need because we are a class based society, The rich class, the almost rich, the poor, the educated, the working etc before you even get to color and race. At some time in our future the term "asian" "dark skinned" "white" will be used to describe someone for the police like "she was an medium height asian girl with long hair and a white coat". Who knows how long it will take, but we will get there one day.

At some point people will realize that "poor blacks" and "poor whites" and "poor asians" and "poor latinos" are all in the same boat and it is a real leaky boat at that. The "rich blacks" and "rich whites and "rich asians" and "rich latinos" have all the power and race really means nothing in their class.

Quote from Bernie:

“They told white workers who were earning pennies an hour, ‘Hey, you think you’re in trouble, but you’re better off than the blacks,'” he said. “And they told straight people, ‘You’re better off than those gay people.’ And they pitted men against women. It’s always playing one group against another. That’s how the rich got richer while everybody else was fighting each other. Our job is to build a nation in which we all stand together.”

[NCTraveler]

4. I can make great arguments....

I can make great arguments as to why the AA community should vote for Sanders, Clinton, and O'Malley.

I can also make great arguments for why they should stay home.

It's time to start showing the base of the party some respect all the way around.

[bravenak]

6. They all have flaws and all have good points.

But I think we need to start living in reality and not change their records to suit our needs. O'Malley had broken windows, Sanders the crime bill, HRC her Iraq vote, all flawed, all better than Republicans.

[NCTraveler]

15. Yep. I have brought up each of those issues you mention.

I truly believe they are good people but they all have pox on their house.

[jkbRN]

7. Agreed!

The demonizing of other democratic candidates on race relations is SO ANNOYING.

[Schema Thing]

10. I don't think you can make any great argument for why they should stay home.

that's a challenge, btw

[NCTraveler]

14. I will and I'll keep it short.

Elected officials at all level in the party have pandered to them for decades. Percentage wise as a community they are some of the parties strongest supporters. Elections cannot be won without them. They have been pandered to and lived under oppressive conditions brought on by both parties. Read the op. They have the ability to send a message all on their own. Yes, repubs would be worse. But it's time we make more than campaign promises followed by a bone. Not voting for them would send the largest message of all. Look at the number of Sanders supporters saying they won't vote for Clinton. Shouldn't AA's have that same right to send a message?

I could go further into other issues expanding my argument.

[Schema Thing]

19. "yes, repubs would be worse" is an understatement to beat all understatement.

The saying "like cutting off your nose to spite your face" comes to mind.

[NCTraveler]

21. I say similar things to Sanders supporters....

Not willing to support Hillary, yet they continue with the argument. I guess you are right, it is a pretty poor argument.

All playing aside, it isn't the best of arguments. The most centrist of democrats support many great programs. I do think I could put it forward a little better though. It would be hard for me to think I had people fighting for me in DC when my friends are being shot in the streets. That plays more to voter apathy.

[SusanCalvin]

105. This Sanders supporter would certainly vote for Hillary in the general if necessary.

Have a bunch of others been saying they wouldn't? (I keep up with DU only sporadically.)

[bbgrunt]

167. Very interesting that the op was only framed in terms

of Bernie, while the broader truth is any white or even a biracial president has the same dilemma to deal with. Very interesting educational discussion of this very issue here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027305807

[Eric J in MN]

11. Bernie Sanders voted for the Clinton Crime Bill

...because it included the Violence Against Women Act.

If Sanders had voted No, then you could say he opposed VAWA.

Regarding Sanders' current positions on crime policy:

- He's promised that America won't be #1 in incarceration if he's president.

- He wants marijuana removed from the "Schedule" of drugs the federal government prosecutes people for and leave marijuana regulation to the states.

[beam me up scottie]

12. They know this, it has been posted before.

Sanders opposed the Violent Crime Prevention Act of 1991 during his first year in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"All over the industrialized world now, countries are saying, ‘let us put an end to state murder, let us stop capital punishment’," Sanders said in a 1991 speech on the House floor. "But here what we’re talking about is more and more capital punishment."

The bill, which included provisions to authorize the death penalty as appropriate punishment for crimes involving the murder of a law enforcement officer, terrorism and drug trafficking, never reached the desk of President George H.W. Bush.

In 1994, however, Sanders voted in favor of the final version of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, a bill that expanded the federal death penalty. Sanders had voted for an amendment to the bill that would have replaced all federal death sentences with life in prison. Even though the amendment failed, Sanders still voted for the larger crime bill.

A spokesman for Sanders said he voted for the bill "because it included the Violence Against Women Act and the ban on certain assault weapons."

http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2015/sep/02/viral-image/where-do-hillary-clinton-and-bernie-sanders-stand-/

Other than posting the facts it's best to let some of these threads sink.

[bravenak]

13. I would say he voted against the crime bill.

I am correcting people who say he is our only chance. Not so.

[Eric J in MN]

16. I wouldn't describe any politician as our only

...chance for criminal justice reform.

Any of the Democratic candidates might sign a criminal justice reform bill.

Between Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley, and Hillary Clinton, she's the only one who supports the death penalty. Therefore, she would probably seek more modest reforms than the other two candidates (since attitudes towards the death penalty are a sign of how people view our criminal justice system in general).

[bravenak]

17. Hillary has more contact than most with african americans and listens.

People laughed at her listening tour of churches, small venues, salons, whatever. But it gave her an edge because people like to say what they want, not just have policy barked at them in a take it ir the oligarchy will get us way.

Many say, Bernie has been fighting for you for 40 years. I say, no, stop the hyperbole, he voted for the crime bill. Okay? The sainthood of bernie is what I oppose. They all have flaws.

[frylock]

34. So then vote for Clinton.

What's the issue here?

[Shankapotomus]

129. So I guess Bernie can say

You're for violence against women?

[Starry Messenger]

18. K&R

Good analysis.

[betsuni]

20. K&R

[Agony]

22. He has never made such a claim.

_You_ are his hope is what I have heard him say.

[Luminous Animal]

24. Yep.

[Luminous Animal]

23. RE: The crime bill, the entire leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 103rd Congress

voted for it.

[bravenak]

27. So?

[ismnotwasm]

25. I'm gonna bring this up

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

Agree or disagree with Hesse, At best, Well-meaning White people hang out around between number 3 & 5. More towards 3. Why? Because for us to go beyond that takes work, and an ability to understand what whiteness actually is. Which is why these conversations are uncomfortable at best. In my opinion, It's not just Sanders--although he's the perfect example, it's about the standard of whiteness that is part of the dominant culture. This is not about populations of people. In a post racist-society we wouldn't need to be talking about it-- it's about promoting whiteness as an invisible standard that all else is held against.

This is why it's so very vital to listen to others and educate ourselves. We (whites)are complacent regarding race. We can be lazy about race. We form opinions without the most valuable information. We get pissy. Resentful--because we MEAN well, right? Forgetting that well meaning isn't action and successful action requires understanding, and understanding required educating ourselves--and no one owes us that education. People get tired of educating us. I don't blame them. We're offered education whether through #BLM protest or simple letters to the editor, the backlash is stunningly brutal.

[bravenak]

26. I see number three all day everyday.

They do not see themselves but it is damn exhausting to me. Thank you. I'm saving this.

[ismnotwasm]

29. Glad you liked it

It nails a lot of behavior--not the last few very often, sadly

[ismnotwasm]

46. Because I like it right here my good buddy

Would that be the mythical "reverse racism" you are referring to?

[jfern]

28. Sounds like when Obama was called the messiah.

I'm getting some serious deja vu from 8 years ago. Now, what is similar about this primary and the one 8 years ago?

[bravenak]

35. Lol!

I saw some funny nearly christ like language used to describe Bernie too. I also find it amusing when politicians grow halos.

[jfern]

53. Also, all of Obama's supporters were sexist for not supporting the woman

[bravenak]

55. Nice.

[mwrguy]

30. Bernie knows what is good for colored folks

Why won't those people just let him?

/sarc

[bravenak]

33. Yo! He has been fighting for us for forty years!!

From Vermont! He KNOWS us!!

[LiberalArkie]

48. Results, a close one. I am number 3. I hope I was correct in my judgement.

On Fri Oct 30, 2015, 06:24 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Bernie knows what is good for colored folks
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=746402

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

"colored folks"? Who says that any more? Please hide this crap.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Oct 30, 2015, 06:44 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Oh go on with your old damn alert. Clearly intended as sarcasm.
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: I know this is sarcasm. But I vote to hide because somebody should. This post is not nice at all.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: This is a reply to an OP by bravenak. Bravenak replied to this reply and did not indicate that it was offensive to her.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: This post is far below standards. Wildly offensive. Unethical.
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Chitown Kev]

112. This was alerted? lol

this place is a hot mess.

[mwrguy]

132. You are correct

Thanks

[Matariki]

31. I can't wait until the Primaries are over

[bravenak]

32. Yes. A white person schooling white people!!!

They know nobody will listen to blacks when they say the exact same thing so they try to help spread the message. I am happy to see it too.

[Matariki]

37. That's a point.

none-the-less this is just political. It's using groups of people to fight out a political battle that really doesn't take those people into much account. At least that's what I'm seeing.

[bravenak]

38. Of course it is political. This is politics.

[HerbChestnut]

36. You gotta love...

...how just when Bernie is making strides with the AA community and Hillary is getting protested by BLM something like this comes out. Ridiculous.

[bravenak]

39. This came out this summer.

Hillary did great. She did not leave and cancel meetings. Her grassroots is not harassing anybody. Strong leader.

[HerbChestnut]

41. Even worse!

Why post an article from several months ago? The only possible reason is to try and distract people from Hillary's problems and focus them negatively on Bernie.

[bravenak]

43. The post is still accurate. Bernie does not change, 'member?

[HerbChestnut]

45. Oh stop being ridiculous

Bernie and his campaign have changed *a lot* since his encounters with BLM. So much so that members of the movement have come out and praised his platform.

[bravenak]

47. I can't. I keep making jokes, it's hard to stop once I get going.

I know he changes. I wish we could all live in that reality and know that evolving is okay. It is good.

[randys1]

63. Ding ding ding, i wonder if they will understand what you just said

[bravenak]

65. Please! I hope so!

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

61. Read the entire post.

At the same time, and this is a key point, there’s a big difference between assisting a great grassroots struggle for social justice like the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and running for the White House under the banner of the corporate and imperial Democratic Party. The first form of activism is a worthy commitment. The second is not. It encourages people to link their hopes for progressive change and social justice to a reactionary political party with a long and deserved history as the graveyard of social movements.

The author doesn't approve of folks on the left running as part of the Democratic Party. Bernie's 'sin' was in running as a Democrat, something that applies equally to Clinton and O'Malley.

[jwirr]

50. Compared to other BLM protests this one was mild. They

were well organized, interesting and non-threatening. Did not get close to her or the mic and stopped the minute she held her hand up - total silence and signs down. Well orchestrated - but by who?

As to posts about the best chance - I have not seen any telling black people that he is their best chance. What I have seen and said is that he is our last chance at stopping corporatism and globalism. At democracy vs oligarchy. That is how that is seen most often.

If those are not problems to all of us then I guess you can ignore posts like that and go right on with what interests you. I am more interested in making sure my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have a better world all around.

[sufrommich]

51. "Well orchestrated - but by who?"

Really? This is still a thing?

[ismnotwasm]

60. Apparently so...

[Comrade Grumpy]

42. Alright, fuck it. I'll just get one of those "Don't Blame Me" bumper stickers in 2017.

[bravenak]

44. Cool. I'm sure it will look nice ON YOUR VOLVO!!!

This was a joke people. Please act accordingly and laugh.

[Thinkingabout]

49. Jury results

On Fri Oct 30, 2015, 04:34 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Why Bernie Sanders is no Great White Hope for Black America
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251745899

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

This is an article from 2 months ago. The only reason for posting this now is to distract from Hillary's encounter with BLM. It is unnecessary and the timing is politically driven.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Oct 30, 2015, 04:44 PM, and the Jury voted 2-5 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Bad alert, IMO.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: not hideable, merely more of the same reprehensible divisive shit.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: This issue has been brought up in other articles, as late as today, can't hide one without the other. Besides it is not over the top nor abusive.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: What the hell is the matter with you, alerter? It takes a terribly twisted mind to devise such a disturbingly asinine alert. Try opening your mind. You might actually learn something from someone whose life experiences you refuse to consider relevant.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[bravenak]

52. What a terrible alert. Thanks.

[giftedgirl77]

67. Somebody doesn't like it when we stand up huh?

[bravenak]

69. Or even speak. At all.

My mom calles it the ante bellum lifestyle.

[giftedgirl77]

73. Lolol, now we're on a roll I just replied back to you talking

about my mom. She would also tell me not to take their shit, speak my mind & make sure I am heard. Don't like it to bad.

[Matariki]

75. Ha! Juror #6!

You, sir or madam are an inspiration. so many times I've wanted to open a can of verbal whoop ass when jurying stupid alerts

[SunSeeker]

122. LOL. How dare you be political...on a political site!

What's disgusting is two people voted to hide---no justification of course.

[Cha]

168. How sad.. someone is trying to shut up bravenak again.. to protect Bernie. Unreal.

Thanks T.

You know .. I bet it wasn't posted to distract from how Hillary handled the #BlackLivesMatter Protestors.. they did great and so did she.

Too bad the Alerter can't read minds better.

[giftedgirl77]

54. Hahaha, I said almost the exact same thing earlier to a poster

regarding the fact that if anyone from his grassroots organization tries to bring those silly ass talking points to my neighborhood down here in SC they will have their feelings sorely hurt.

[bravenak]

56. Lol!!

I have actually dealt with them in person. They do they exact same thing they do here. I swear it cracks me up when they yell now. I used to be taken aback. But now I'm just like damn. Look at this. Look how mad. I do not have to love Bernie.

[Kentonio]

134. Nope

You certainly do not need to love him, or support his campaign. However when you try and use things like the crime bill vote to argue that he wouldn't be a strong advocate for minorities, then you are engaging in deliberate intellectual dishonesty. Which is sad quite frankly.

[Livluvgrow]

58. So how did the black guy work out for you?

As far as I could tell unemployment and poverty are rampant in the black community. We have the nations first black president and your community is in worse shape. Color of skin doesn't matter. You want Hillary and will probably get her. You will also get more of the same. How does that help your community? More high unemployment? Continued over-policing? Ideas are what will provoke change, and Hillary's ideas are about as over played as I can see. WooHoo More of the same 2016! Well good luck to you and your community.

[giftedgirl77]

64. You've been here since 2008 & have barely 250 posts.

Me thinks your intentions aren't sincere & last I checked we can make decisions on our own. In case you haven't noticed minorities think quite fondly of our president & know exactly where the blame lies & it's not with him.

Bye buh now.

[ismnotwasm]

68. So how did a couple of centuries of old white men work out for you?

Context, always.

[bravenak]

71. Hey!

[sheshe2]

81. "That black guy?"

Are you referring to The Twice elected President of The United States?

[Livluvgrow]

135. Point to my post where I sat the word that.

Yeah I am referring to the man I voted for twice. How did that turn out for your community? In typical fashion you and the others who like to focus on racial issues want it to be a one sided conversation. That is racist by nature. You can spout all you want about whites, but the minute something comes in your direction its racist. Funny how you grow words into my post. Please point to where "That black Guy". You cant because I didn't but yet you said it anyways. I call that dishonest.

[rbrnmw]

108. That black guy?

That is very disrespectful.

[SunSeeker]

127. That "black guy" saved us from a great depression.

That "black guy" gave us health care reform that white guys failed to do for decades.

Seems your issue with him has nothing to do with his effectiveness in office.

[DCBob]

133. Sounds like something from rw talk radio.

[KeepItReal]

66. Guess you liked his earlier work: "Bernie and Hillary: the Sheepdog and the She-Wolf in Vegas"

From the same author, Paul Street:
"Bernie and Hillary: the Sheepdog and the She-Wolf in Vegas"

The most remembered line of the debate was Bernie’s statement that “the American people are sick and tired of hearing about [Hillary Clinton’s] damn e-mails.” Here Sanders further demonstrated hissheepdog commitment to the dollar-drenched and neoliberal party of Robert Rubin, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and the arch-neoliberal Barack Obama. A left candidate who was serious about defeating the Clinton machine would hardly be in the business of helping provide Hillary cover on her criminal and classically neoliberal use of a private corporate e-mail server for public sector (the State Department no less) communications. He would not have allowed himself to be badly outflanked on his portside by Mrs. Clinton on gun control and the NRA.

And, no small point, he would not have let Hillary – a reigning historical She-Wolf of neoliberal capitalism (second in that regards perhaps only to Margaret Thatcher) – get away scot-free with her deeply deceptive description of herself in Vegas as a lifelong true-“progressive” friend of working people and the poor. The historical record does not remotely match her claim, as Sanders certainly knows:
...
* As early members of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), the co-strategists and operatives Bill and Hillary Clinton helped trail-blaze the development of the neoliberal “New Democrat” movement, which pushed the Democratic Party to abandon its last lingering commitments to labor unions, racial and social justice, and environmental protection.

...

Any leftist who has paid the slightest serious attention to U.S. politics since the early 1990s should have heard loud alarm bells ringing when Hillary Clinton described herself in Vegas as “a progressive…ut a progressive who likes to get things done [and who] know[s] how to find common ground… even dealing with Republicans [with whom she]… found ways to work together.” Sound familiar? It should. It is straight out of the spurious, fake-progressive, arch-authoritarian, and neoliberal Bob Rubin-Bill Clinton-Barack Obama-DLC-Hamilton Project-Brookings Institute-Council of Foreign Relations playbook, written by and for the nation’s unelected and interrelated dictatorships of money and empire. The key phrase is “likes to get things done” – a way of consigning the basic and reasonable social-democratic programs and economic justice measures long and irrelevantly supported by most Americans to the realm of non-viable, pragmatically unrealistic, “extremist: and “do-nothing” fantasy.

http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/10/20/bernie-and-hillary-the-sheepdog-and-the-she-wolf-in-vegas/

[ismnotwasm]

70. What does that have to do with this?

Is this a "gotcha" or something?

[KeepItReal]

88. Points out the nature of the OP's content. NOBODY running for POTUS measures up.

1. The author's (of the opinion piece in Counterpoint) premise is that Sen. Sanders' support of the "US military state and empire" is bad (except for his opposition to the Iraq War in 2003 - he gave Sen. Sanders credit for that one).
No modern American politician of either party would meet the author's standard. There aren't any pacifists or isolationists that I know of running for POTUS.

2. The author states Sanders voted for President Bill Clinton's 1994 crime bill. Well Sec. Clinton was right there lobbying for the bill (Post #80 here).
(Sanders voted for it because it contained the Violence Against Women Act, BTW) Good take on all the canididates' records on crime here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/2016-democrats-criminal-justice-reform_55f33234e4b077ca094f0db6
Again nobody in the Dem Primary has a squeaky clean record on crime to satisfy the OP author. We can only take them all at their word on future change and improvement.

3. The author states that Sanders' racial justice efforts are weak because he "has not turned against Washington's racist and imperialist Pentagon System".
The author says shutting down the Pentagon and sending all its funds to eliminate poverty is something Sen. Sanders should call for.

Again NOBODY RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT would make that call. NOBODY.

So the OP is based an opinon piece created by an author that has historical requirements, objectives and demands NO POLITICIAN in the Democratic Primary (much less GOP) can meet.

[ismnotwasm]

95. If you pay attention to the AA posters here, many say exactly that--no one quite measures up.

You say you want a revolution? So to speak? Which one? For who? For what? this has been the problem all along, the "social justice vs economic justice camps--even though there is no versus, merely different pathways to accomplish both. Sanders, the closest to "revolutionary"--in a way-- we got, for many, simply isn't measuring up.

[KeepItReal]

107. People - not just AAs - can post articles that purport to undermine certain candidates

That's fine.

But when someone posts an article by an author who is known for undermining and criticizing *all* Democratic candidate in the primary, it deserves to be called out.

I wouldn't post a Ann Coulter hit piece on Sen. Clinton or a Bill O'Reilly takedown on Gov. O'Malley. Coulter and O'Reilly hate all Dems.

Bravenak posted an opinion piece by someone that has no positivity towards *any* Democratic primary candidate. Not a good look.

[Cha]

149. So?

[DianeK]

72. are you looking for a ' great white hope'? or are you looking for someone who..

fights like hell for the working person ..regardless of race...you get so hung up on your race..that is your deal...not his...he is working for working struggling people..not race..so get over yourself already!

[bravenak]

76. Get over myself? Well why would I wanna join a group who talks to me like THAT?

[Matariki]

78. Telling non-white americans that they're "hung up on race" is really something.

Telling people who have to struggle with the consequences of racism on a constant basis to "get over themselves" is just.... I just have no words. Your post is embarrassing.

[DianeK]

79. race is AN issue...race is not the ONLY issue

some here believe that race is the only issue..that is my only point...Bernie is fighting really hard for justice and equality for all...and if you don't think that white people have huge struggles as well.....then you don't get it...racial issues are a huge problem..but so is income inequality..and it is all linked..and if we divide our concerns by race we do a great disservice to us all

[Number23]

82. A beautiful illustration of the type of tone deafness that black folks all over the web have seen

from far too many Bernie Sanders supporters. Absolutely unreal in its paternalistic cluelessness.

DianeK
72. are you looking for a ' great white hope'? or are you looking for someone who..

fights like hell for the working person ..regardless of race...you get so hung up on your race..that is your deal...not his...he is working for working struggling people..not race..so get over yourself already!

Love it. Thanks

[DianeK]

83. this is a perfect opportunity to advance this conversation..

so please... enlighten me...i guess i must be missing something and i am willing to admit that and be vulnerable to that...and I do apologize ....I was wrong..but truly..I do not understand why there is such a negative response to his campaign...this is a sincere attempt to understand so please..don't flame me

[Number23]

84. I think that Bernie has been hammered so hard on race issues because of statements

just like the ones you've made in this thread and similar ones from his supporters all over the Internet.

That he's basically black America's "best friend" though he has very little to show that actually proves that. When his supporters act as though he's the philosophical love child between MLK and Medgar Evers, I think most black people and clued in whites just roll our eyes.

He's a liberal politician, nothing more or less. None of the supporters of any of the other candidates have tried to make them out to be some Civil Rights hero the way Sanders supporters have with Bernie. And I think alot of that stems from the fact that alot of his white supporters knew that he'd have a tough road to hoe having represented such a lily white state as Vermont and tried to cut the criticism off at the pass. All that did was make it so, so much worse. And then when Netroots Nation and Seattle happened, that just exacerbated what was already an incredibly bad situation.

And the idea that black folks would just love ourselves some Bernie Sanders if only we were just "educated" enough on how fantastic and glorious he is and that he's the only person who has our back and why are we so stupid that we can't see that comes across as demeaning, insulting, offensive and yes, incredibly racist.

You should look at this video from a bi-racial Sanders supporter. He discusses all of this quite nicely and it's a great video for reference.

[DianeK]

86. first...

I never said he was black america's best friend...but he is the working persons best friend...and that crosses all racial lines.....while I do understand that the race issue is still a very important issue that we must address...the economic equality will help us all get there ....

[Number23]

87. And I see you're right back to where we started. Sorry I wasted my time

Won't make that mistake again.

[DianeK]

89. ok

we obviously agree to disagree....you have not walked in my shoes and i have not walked in yours..that has nothing to do with skin color

[AgingAmerican]

117. You can't have a conversation with folks who refuse to listen

[72DejaVu]

162. Do you remember the Henry Louis Gates situation?

The cops arrested him for burglary in his own damn house.

How much do you figure a Harvard professor who has published 17 books makes in a year?

[thesquanderer]

136. Great video, #23. Thanks for posting. (n/t)

[Matariki]

110. You DON'T 'advance' conversations by telling people to "get over themselves"

It shows a complete lack of empathy or willingness to see beyond your own nose. Do you honestly expect to have a respectful or constructive conversation about race when you start out that way?

[leftofcool]

111. Holy shit!

[Number23]

74. This is an interesting article. The author is no fan of the Democratic Party

At the same time, and this is a key point, there’s a big difference between assisting a great grassroots struggle for social justice like the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and running for the White House under the banner of the corporate and imperial Democratic Party. The first form of activism is a worthy commitment. The second is not. It encourages people to link their hopes for progressive change and social justice to a reactionary political party with a long and deserved history as the graveyard of social movements. It channels popular anger and excitement into a dead, money-soaked political and elections system and its staggered, quadrennial, highly personalized and mass-marketed corporate media-ted candidate-centered electoral spectacles – as if that’s the real and only politics that matters.

Thanks for this discussion.

[bravenak]

77. I noticed that too.

Thought nobody else would, lol.

[guillaumeb]

80. And who also supported the 1994 Act

1994: As First Lady, her days of defending those accused of rape and murder now long behind her, Clinton actively lobbies for the passage of The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act.

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/05/01/a-more-or-less-definitive-guide-to-hillary-clinton-s-record-on-law-and-order

People evolve, as do positions.

[bumprstickr]

85. I would like a great hope for working America.

But all 3 are far better than any Republicans would be.

[bravenak]

92. True

[SusanCalvin]

90. Well I should certainly hope not.

Considering the phrase describes a hoped-for opponent to defeat Jack Johnson.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_White_Hope

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Johnson_(boxer)

Bernie may or may not be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I don't think it's actually hoped he'll defeat poc....!

Jack Johnson link requires a couple extra clicks - browser in its wisdom cut (boxer) out of the link.

[bravenak]

91. Thank God you found that!

[SusanCalvin]

93. I aim to please....!

Actually, I'm just a fount of random information.

[bravenak]

94. I always say that I could win jeopardy. Just cause I know random bullshit.

Maybe we need to do a team jeopardy show!!

[SusanCalvin]

96. Nah.

I'd choke.

[bravenak]

98. Not me!!!

I love tests!

[SusanCalvin]

100. I love tests too.

The kind you take on paper....!

[bravenak]

101. Lol! Not oral reports?

I love BLOVIATING. I need to quit.

[SusanCalvin]

102. No! Don't quit!

You set off the best scrum, er, discussions, in this place.

[bravenak]

104. Shhh!

They might figure it out if we discuss it in public.

[SusanCalvin]

106. .

I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us — don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know.

How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!

Emily Dickinson

[ismnotwasm]

97. Now you went and did it

You reminded me of this movie --remember the Jeopardy scene?

White Men Can't Jump

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0105812/

[bravenak]

99. Another Classic!!

Things that start with Q!!!

[ismnotwasm]

103. ...

[RandySF]

109. kick

[Chitown Kev]

113. counterpunch....oh, Lawd

Bernie's folks won't be happy with that, lol...the REAL left (black and white) can't stand Sanders.

Street has written for BAR too...

[KeepItReal]

114. The opinion piece writer can't stand Sec. Clinton, either

See post #66

[m-lekktor]

118. Paul Street also wrote two very virulent anti-Obama books.

I have them both and read them. He has been observing Obama since the Chicago days when they both lived there! He is a marxist who hates all Democrats. I follow him on facebook and read his opinion on everything every day.

Barack Obama and the Future of American Politics

http://www.amazon.com/Barack-Obama-Future-American-Politics/dp/1594516316/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1446268929&sr=1-2&keywords=paul+street

Empire's New Clothes: Barack Obama in the Real World of Power

http://www.amazon.com/Empires-New-Clothes-Barack-Obama/dp/1594518459/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1446268991&sr=1-3&keywords=paul+street

[bravenak]

120. Uh oh! The BAR! I better tell them so they calm down.

They loves them some BAR.

[m-lekktor]

126. yes. he always speaks highly of Glen Ford from the BAR on facebook.

like most of the actual marxist left.

[still_one]

131. I have a lot of problems with counterpunch, however, your point is well made

[AgingAmerican]

115. Perhaps not, but he is twice as much so as Clinton

She represents the status quo. The way things are now.

[SunSeeker]

119. K & R

[Vattel]

121. Clinton won't even commit to removing marijuana from the Schedule I list.

Sanders wants it removed from the federal schedule altogether.

And Sanders is against capital punishment. Clinton, not.

And as mayor Sanders promoted community policing. O'Malley promoted mass arrests. Every weekend, sweeps of black neighborhoods, bullshit arrests, bullshit stop and frisks.

And Sanders is smart enough to see the connection between mass incarceration and racial inequalities in educational and economic opportunity. Economic and social justice are deeply connected.

And Sanders opposed the welfare reform that Clinton loved.

Issue by issue, Sanders offers more hope for everyone except the wealthy few.

Come on bravenak, change your mind and vote for Sanders!

[bravenak]

123. I would change my mind but I do not like being treated poorly or not being listened to.

Sanders: Crime Bill
Clinton: Supported It
O'Malley: Broken Windows

Really they all have flaws.

[Vattel]

124. Esta bien conmigo chica!

Have a happy Halloween!

[bravenak]

125. You too. And have a good dia de los muertos!

[Cha]

128. No, bernie's not even close.. Hillary Will Get it Done!

[thesquanderer]

137. Interesting piece. But he also says HRC is no better. So who to vote for? (n/t)

[Gothmog]

140. Great OP

[thesquanderer]

141. Funny that he accuses BS of "really" having been a Democrat all along

while we have a bunch here who accuse him of not being a true Democrat!

he’s been fake-independent de facto Democrat since at least 1990

[Cha]

142. Kick this up from the 2nd page!

[bravenak]

143. I got alerted for kicking.

[Cha]

144. Of course you did. they can't stand your opinions Too bad for them.

KICK!

[bravenak]

145. I love your pumpkin!

[Cha]

147. You can have one, too!

[bravenak]

151. Yay!

[bravenak]

146. I should bring this back up top.

[betsuni]

148. Kick

[bravenak]

150. Last time!!!

[Aerows]

152. I'm rather puzzled

by the abundance of vitriol that is being dished out towards Democratic supporters on a decidedly Democratic site.

I'm not Bernie, and you aren't Hillary Clinton, either. You aren't O'Malley for that matter, and he's a good candidate.

Cut it out.

[bravenak]

155. Oh? Talking to me again? Hmm.

[Aerows]

156. Talking to you n/t

[bravenak]

157. Well wonders never cease!

If folks wanna call a truce I'm with it. But they have to cut it out at the same time and I start back when they start back.

[Aerows]

158. If I have *ever* said a cross word to you

link it.

You know very well that I have been your friend. Hell, I didn't rise to the bait when people PM'd me in an attempt to get me to speak harshly about you.

I'm many things, but two-faced is not one of them.

[bravenak]

159. You did send me a pm. Accusing me of stuff.

I would never print a pm on here. I do like you. All I said was You have not been talking to me. I figure after primaries everyone will chill out. I did not call you two faced.

[Aerows]

160. Excuse me?

You have me mixed up with someone else because I called you because I was concerned.

Guess you can't remember that I gave a shit, worried about your safety and called you to make sure you were alright.

Yeah, I'm an absolutely horrible person. I am so evil I give a shit about fellow DUers.

[bravenak]

161. I still have it and repiled and got no answer. Go look.

[Aerows]

163. Forward it to me.

You can just do a ctrl+a to select the text of the body of the message, copy it, then paste it into another PM. Or hell the forum, not including my phone number thank you very much.

[bravenak]

164. Not on the forum. This is really more of a private matter and I apologize for bringing it up in

Public. I will forward it after I get off the phone.

[Aerows]

165. PM it to me.

I'm rifling through my sent emails as we speak to see what on earth you are accusing me of.

[bravenak]

166. I am looking back through my pms. I will find it tonight and send it.

[deutsey]

169. Coming to DU these days

makes me want to NOT vote for a particular candidate.

I will still vote for whomever the Democratic nominee is, but some supporters here really make me consider not voting for their candidate.

[mother earth]

153. WTF, Paul Street is white, maybe...maybe...leave who the best candidate is for black people, up to..

well...black people. Who in the hell is Paul Street to judge anything?

[bravenak]

154. He also hates democrats.

[99Forever]

170. Who appointed you or Paul Street to speak for "Black America?"

When you can show and document the results of that election I'll respect your OPINIONS.

For now?

Not so much.