African American
In reply to the discussion: Bye, Willyt. [View all]LiberalLovinLug
(14,174 posts)But I think it's frustrating for a lot of Bernie supporters, of all races and sexes to watch people voting against their best interests, and in doing so, help push the candidate that will help all of us fighting for a more inclusive society, out the door. Why is this happening?
Its not just me saying that, an interview with Killer Mike and Bernie Sanders:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-killer-mike_us_56704393e4b0fccee16ff248
"Mike and Sanders discussed a variety of subjects, such as: what socialism means to the black community (Bernie: "To be truly free, you need economic rights" , the meaning of social justice, why Sanders got into politics, why people vote against their best interests"
And from his twitter account:
https://twitter.com/killermike/status/673404138131202048
"So sad RT @NailzConnelly: @KillerMike isn't it sad how frequently people are voting against their own best interests?"
I know KM is not all AA, I am just using his observations to make the point. So its frustrating not having this addressed. I think Willyt blew a fuse. It was not the correct way to approach this, but I can still be empathetic about his frustration because there is no easy way to express this without it being taken the wrong way.
I also think one could say something similar about Union leadership endorsing Clinton. Willyt is not a racist. He was expressing the frustration towards voters of an identifiable community backing the candidate whose husband initiated among other things, the three strikes law, and welfare reform which hit the minority, and poorer communities hard, ...and even now is the second best candidate in regards to more radical social justice reform, and economic reforms that would actually help lift the disadvantaged, the poor, along with much of the AA community up the most. Someone who has marched for civil rights back in the 60's and has never wavered. And it is so frustrating to see this happen.....and not be able to get an answer.
IMO though its not anything particular to what race you are at all. It is a predictable combination of name recognition, MSM coverage, and being less informed. It is just that the AA community's in-general rejection of the candidate that would help them the most is very notable and puzzling. And it is not particular to one community. Why do poor white folks vote Republican? It is more sad than anything. This is/was a maybe once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really turn the tables on the status quo, and to see so many, of every race and sex, vote instead for the Third Way establishment candidate is disappointing.