Calling out candidates who don't directly address issues important to blacks isn't charging racism

[bigtree]

...it's pointing out that candidates aren't addressing some issues important to the black community.

Let me make some things clear. Economic distress and disparity is certainly an important issue which most Democrats do not fail to recognize and address directly. However, economic justice and opportunity isn't the totality of concern from the black community, nor will remedies along those lines solve all of the issues and interests of the black community. I don't feel that economic policy is a panacea for all social concerns, nor is it a substitute for issues related to justice and the application of law.

For instance, calling for higher wages or wage equity, as Bernie Sanders did in his announcement speech is laudable and on target, but isn't a substitute for addressing job discrimination against black applicants and workers seeking to advance in existing positions.

There are also issues of racial policing which need vocalizing; an issue which got zero mention in his speech. I'm looking for candidates to directly address the issue of racial disparities in arrests, detentions, and other confrontations with police.

Sen. Sanders and his history with SNCC and support of civil rights in the past is certainly a plus, and I appreciate his voicing concerns about black unemployment. That background of support for black Americans and other economic issues beneficial to the black community is certainly something which makes Sanders an attractive choice for our community. Whether he will be able to communicate that in his campaign will be key to his garnering the support he needs from black voters to fill out the coalition which Barack Obama advantaged in his elections.

Yet, what I'm interested in may or may not be key to his electability (or any other candidate). I'll be seeking to hold all of these politicians accountable for these issues, primarily, as well as other economic, military, and social policy concerns.

I also want candidates to directly address solutions for immigration, such as defending the refugee status of young, undocumented immigrants. Sanders, in the past, has supported legislation favorable to the 'Dreamers' and has been supportive of President Obama's executive actions on immigration; even criticizing the president for delaying those actions to facilitate the midterms. That issue also got zero mention in his announcement speech. I look forward to hearing more from the senator on the campaign trail on these issues and others affecting immigrants and migrant workers as he has supported these concerns and interests in his state and elsewhere on many occasions.

Likewise, Hillary Clinton has also been a strong supporter of civil rights and economic issues which impact and affect the black community. She has also been a strong supporter of the immigrant community. Although her own introductory effort in this election included a diversity of individuals featured in her video, she suffers the same lack of specificity, so far in this election, in addressing the concerns I've outlined. I'll also be looking to hear more from Mrs. Clinton in the coming year.

I don't think it should be too much for the candidates (and their supporters) to bear criticisms asking for more specific language and proposal from candidates in issues that concern our particular communities and interests. I don't believe that pointing to past support for these issues or related past support for the black community, for example, is defense enough against those expectations of specificity.

We may not get the answers we expect, but asking for them certainly isn't an accusation that those candidates who folks observe have neglected to vocalize those concerns are racist. I think their reticence, if it persists, is more of a political calculation than anything else; not particularly inspiring or supportive, but not necessarily racist.

Let's keep asking our questions and making our demands where we feel candidates fall short of our expectations. The election year is one of the most visible opportunities to raise our concerns and interests to a national level of debate and consideration. Let's remember that, for some, these campaigns aren't always just a zero-sum game. It's an opportunity to get our voices heard, as much as it is for the candidates to garner our support. Let's keep our issues and interests at the head of our advocacy to ensure that they advance along with our candidates.

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Well done. Thanks. K&R n/t

[Number23]

44. Nice to see you again!

And I whole-heartedly second your K&R

[el_bryanto]

2. I agree with all of this

They will be finalizing their websites sometime between now and the end of the year, which will have an issues page (one assumes) which will give us more information on where precisely they stand and how they intend to address these issues.

Bryant

[leftofcool]

3. Great post. Kicking.

[KeepItReal]

4. Please tell me what Hillary Clinton did while on Walmart's board of directors?

She had the ear of Sam Walton, himself.

How does she advocate for economic issues?

[bigtree]

5. I don't disagree at all with your criticism of her association with the Waltons

...I don't think that necessarily negates her support of many economic issues, legislation, and initiatives which have benefited the black community.

That said, I don't believe that support necessarily insulates her from criticism on other issues or instances where her policy or actions are harmful.

[NYC Liberal]

13. She advocated for improving diversity and equal pay for women and minorities,

and better environmental practices.

Bob Ortega, author of ''In Sam We Trust," a history of Wal-Mart, said Clinton used her position to urge the company to improve its gender and racial diversity. Because of Clinton's prodding, Walton agreed to hire an outside firm to track the company's progress in hiring women and minorities, Ortega said.

Clinton proved to be such a thorn in Walton's side that at Wal-Mart's annual meeting in 1987, when shareholders challenged Walton on the company's lack of female managers, he assured them the record was improving ''now that we have a strong-willed young lady on the board."

Clinton was particularly vocal on environmental matters, pressing the company to boost its sale and use of recycled materials and other ''green" products.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/03/12/clinton_feels_heat_over_wal_mart_ties/

[calimary]

26. Ouch.

[KeepItReal]

33. You are aware of WalMart's scandalous record in terms of gender and racial inequaliity, right?

They have had teams of lawyers dealing with case upon case of gender and/or racial discrimination and retaliation.

My ex was at a firm that handled some of the cases in Houston. They'd drag them out forever and then settle to avoid bad press.

Just Google "walmart discrimination cases"

[NYC Liberal]

38. Yes. Hence her trying to improve that....

[Tarheel_Dem]

50. NYC for the win! That's gonna leave a mark.

[FSogol]

6. K & R. n/t

[Dawgs]

7. Bernie makes himself available to be asked any question by anyone at least once every week.

You can call the Thom Hartmann show, usually every Friday at noon, to ask Bernie anything you want. I guarantee he will give you an honest answer. And, he's been doing it for years.

How many other candidates would do such a thing?

[bigtree]

10. I don't doubt that

...he'll be challenged, though, to communicate his support and intentions to the broader electorate (who may not be in the audience of the Hartmann show).

There's a dynamic in presidential campaigns where stances on issues are afforded as much prominence as the candidates allow (or the media chooses to represent). It's not going to be as simple as a call-in effort to communicate that support. We'll see if he's up to the task.

[Dawgs]

16. The Thom Hartmann show is just one example.

I can't think of any example where he hasn't been up to the task.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

30. "We'll see if he's up to the task." So, you're going to call him then, right? I admired your work

and read every word of your Ferguson commentary. But I don't feel like you're giving Bernie a fair chance, he's only just begun his campaign.

I will be listening tomorrow to see if you call and ask him directly about his policies regarding POC and their issues.

[blockquote style="background:#eeeeee;padding:10px;"]The election of Obama, the first African-American president, is a sign of the nation’s progress in the past half century, Sanders said. “But we also know that much more needs to be done. Today, African American unemployment is double the national average while African American household income is $17,000 less. The struggle for racial and economic justice continues,” Sanders said.

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-in-selma-says-civil-rights-struggle-continues

[bigtree]

40. you're reading this wrong

...Sen. Sanders isn't going to satisfy me by just resting on his past. All of these candidates need to vocalize their positions on these issues, repeatedly, in this election. That's the only way they will make any impact on these issues, with their repeated advocacy.

It's not just a matter of me getting an answer on some talk show, it's about whether these candidates are willing to invest their rhetoric and political capital in this campaign on behalf of these issues - just like folks expect these candidates to do on economic issues.

Now, I've got faith in Sanders, and I'd have no qualms about his presidency, if elected. Granted, he's not my choice right now in this primary (I'm an O'Malley supporter). However, I'm directing my admonition to ALL of the candidates, not just Sanders. There's much more to advocating on these issues that I've summarily outlined (I'd include voting rights, as well) than generalizing about 'racial and economic justice.' Indeed, there's much more that I'd like to see from our Democratic candidates than a mention or two on a radio show.

I think folks who believe that would be enough to propel those issues into the national debate in this election are being unrealistic; or who believe that pointing to past positions as proof of positions on issues like policing, immigration, LGBT rights in the workplace and elsewhere will suffice really don't understand the nature of presidential campaigns. It will take commitment to specific policies and issues to make a real difference in those interests and concerns. They need to directly address specific initiatives and make commitments on them. Otherwise we can expect little more than a pig in a poke when it comes to legislating them into action or law.

Read the part of my op where I say how I'm looking forward to more on these issues in the year ahead...

[seabeyond]

21. you know what i want to state, and not ask? sanders, we need an inclusiveness for our minorities

that is not economic, but social justice.... and see where he can take the conversation to.

that will clue me in, if it is a thought and understanding for him, or it goes over his head. nad we would expect nothing but the democratic basis. ... not racist and sexist and homophobic.

i want more. i can handle that being it. but i want more. other minority groups do to. it is what people are waiting to hear. if he simply understands. i am willing to wait, to hear what he has to sya.

seriously

again. another that is not a tough one. i have confidence in sanders. but.... as we see from many good dems on du. social issues are not on their radar. i want to know if it is on sanders. not seeing it yet. doesnt mean it is not

[jwirr]

28. Social issues not on their radar. So we cannot work on two things at one time? This argument is

madness. This means that one would have to talk about nothing BUT one issue. I am old enough to have voted for JFK and I have never been into one issue voting. I plan to stay that way. That is one of the reasons why I say that the two issues cannot be separated. It will do my family (including those who are poc) any good if we focus only on racism and forget that they need a better economic or environmental world also.

[ieoeja]

34. The great irony is that seabeyond is the LEAST inclusive poster on this topic.

There is this poster I walk by on my way to work with the tag line urging excersie for children that reads: "Remember when kids played like their life depended upon it? It still does."

But I get a chuckle out of it because the picture is such a great summation of this country. It has a teeter totter. On the end that is up in the air, you have a skinny Black boy with a ball, a skinny White boy trying to take it away from him, and a skinny White grill behind the boy either trying to help him or stop him. On the other end there is a large White boy eating food.

This picture sums up the condition in America. We have the White man trying to take the ball from the Black man while holding the White woman down.

Go Hillary!

This picture sums up the condition in America. We have the White man trying to take the ball from the Black man while holding the White woman down. In the meantime you have the wealthy White man eating everyone's lunch. And you just know he told the skinny White kid, "I would share this food with you, but I can't afford to because the government made me give that ball to the Black kid." And this makes perfect sense to the skinny White kid because he knows it somehow must be the Black kid's fault.

Go Bernie!

One of these is inclusive of more problems facing America than the other one. Can you tell which one?

[seabeyond]

36. so you make a nasty accusation to me. then provide a post of jibberish that has nothing to do with

that nasty accusation you made about me?

i do not get it.

do you mind spelling out exactly how i am the least inclusive?

[seabeyond]

35. all i said is i would like to HEAR sanders. and you create a story. you have to be better than this.

i accused sanders of nothing.

i stated i wanted to hear him on this issue

no where did i state we focus ONLY on social issues.

all i am asking to hear once, him discuss it.

do you get what you are saying here?

[JackInGreen]

8. Kick, Rec

applaud, stand back.
Being a balanced voice aint easy bigtree, keep it up.

[NCTraveler]

9. Great op. K&R. nt.

[LWolf]

11. I'll bet, if you ask those questions, he'll answer directly. nt

[seabeyond]

12. talking about a weakness in his campaign, or the demographics is not calling him a racist either.

[cali]

14. I appreciate your wonderful post but when someone posts a truly vile racist photo

in the same post where they're chastising Sanders for not addressing AA issues, they are inferring something ugly. There's really no way around that.

Yours is a great post. The other one? Not so much

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

53. Exactly.

Minus the photo and the verbiage about American slavery in the 1700s, the other OP would have been at least honest.

With them, it was an overtly obvious ploy to associate Bernie and racism.

[jeff47]

15. Talking about the literal skin color of the crowd is not talking about addressing issues.

If you want to keep things on the high road, go after the people trying to use the demographics of crowd in a 95% white city as proof of indifference.

[bigtree]

22. I think you're assuming quite a bit about what they're trying to prove

...I haven't seen any post questioning the makeup of the crowd or his entourage which is using that as 'proof of indifference.'

What I have read and heard are questions about the optics and content of his announcement and what message that might send to black voters. My first reaction to reading those criticisms on the internet was to determine whether they were true. My second reaction was to register my own concern about the lack of specificity to his appeal to the black community (and complete omission of the immigrant community in his address).

While I'm certain that Bernie Sanders - or Hillary Clinton in her own failure to directly address some prescient issues of concern - are not 'indifferent' to these communities or individuals, I do believe they will need to be more direct in their appeals.

You do realize that campaigns are regularly critiqued for surface issues like optics and appearance? That might not be of interest to you, but it has been the subject of conversation and criticism among some of my peers (as was the deliberately demographically diverse video Mrs. Clinton produced for her own announcement). I think these campaigns are going to be challenged to do much more than provide the correct optics, as you suggest, and directly address the issues and concerns particular to these individuals, groups, and communities.

[BainsBane]

32. I find is a surprising error in this day and age

I thought that was politics 101.

[Jackpine Radical]

17. I think this is a pretty useful post.

I think of the legitimate concerns being expressed about his campaign so far should be treated as cues that need attention.

Bernie really needs to be explicit here. His personal and political record on minority rights of all types is obviously good, but he needs to be clear in laying out how he proposes to translate these views into action in the future.

His campaign would be all the more solid, and would attract lots more voters, if he were to promptly shore up this corner of the platform.

[onecaliberal]

18. It is mind boggling

How the #1 supporter of working people and equality for decades can now be described as not caring about POC and the economic/social inequality they face is laughable. Especially considering the other candidate is beholden to corporations who are giving her money hand over fist. What are they expecting in return, because I guaranfuckingtee they want favors. That's what needs to be challenged, I want to know how much more will be given away. These threads are laughable. Bernie supports working people, ALL of them. His policy will help ALL people, not ship more jobs away because I'm sure that's going to help economic issues POC encounter right.

[bigtree]

24. I'm not certain that's as apparent to the wider electorate as it may be to you and folks here at DU

...he'll be challenged to communicate that commitment through more than a recitation of his record (although, I'm certain that will serve him well).

Also, I don't believe his focus on economic concerns (while important and consequential to our futures) will be sufficient, on their own, in communicating his stance on issues like justice, voting rights, policing, or immigration, for example. This won't be an easy campaign for Sen. Sanders because he'll need to introduce himself to an electorate who's majority really doesn't know a thing about him. That difficulty should be evident from the reactions from some quarters to his candidacy, so far. Not everyone criticizing him will be doing so in a partisan defense of some other candidate. The issues and concerns from the black community, for instance, supersede personalities and politics in their importance to most of the individuals who relate them.

[TM99]

52. I think you are unfairly demanding more within just

the very beginning of the campaign than what is actually on record.

And yes, he was attacked outright for there being few POC in the crowd in Burlington despite the reality of where he was making his announcement. Had he bussed in POC how would that have looked?

While, yes, Sanders does focus on economic concerns quite a bit (after all the majority of Americans who need economic revival include all genders, races, creeds, and orientations) he does address specifics important to minorities. When we bring up his record it is to show that he has been a consistent supporter of civil rights for all and will address all of these valid concerns and more in the coming weeks and months of his burgeoning campaign.

There are several posts attesting to the most recent discussions of these topics including police violence and education.

Optics are important when they are genuine and congruent. Sanders is not the type of politician to pepper a crowd with the appropriate amount of minorities in order to show his support for said minority. I would not trust a politician like that, and I doubt you would as well. I trust that he will organically address all of these issues in a consistent and positive manner. Impugning his record and character by implying inherent racism is a dirty trick.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

54. "Had he bussed in POC how would that have looked?"

And that's the key. Had he deliberately 'salted' the crowd with PoC, Republicans would have found out and had a field day. It would have undone his basic honesty and painted him as exactly the same sort of manipulative hypocrite as so many other potential candidates for President in 2016. Quite possibly it could have been the kiss of death for his campaign, as it would be endlessly droned on about by RWers like Scarborough.

What could he have done? Not held his kickoff campaign in Vermont if he absolutely had to have the appropriate mix for the optics, but in some major city like New York. And that too would have been dishonest, because it's not who he is. Sure he was born in Brooklyn, but he'd essentially be playing the carpetbagger, since he's been a Vermonter for so long. He's not the kind of guy who simply chooses which Senate seat he'll run for based on it 'happening' to include Wall Street. He's a proud Vermonter, so of course he was going to kick off his campaign in Burlington, even if that meant the crowd would be overwhelmingly white for that one event.

[cyberswede]

19. Good post.

But I have seen at least one post where the implication was there, unfortunately.

I hope everyone on DU reads your post.

[BainsBane]

20. Very well said

Best post on the subject. I hope this helps people start to understand.

[SunSeeker]

23. K & R

[Hiraeth]

25. I do not expect Clinton or Sanders to make the same speech to every audience for the next year.

[bigtree]

27. that's an interesting point

...I was thinking about the way Barack Obama's stump speech evolved. It was a slow progression, to be sure. I think their appeals will evolve along with the issues which arise out of the campaign - with the interests voters express along the way. The process will be as dynamic, I think, as we challenge it to be with our advocacy and participation. To the greatest extent possible, I believe we should work to insinuate our own voices in their appeals. As far-fetched as that may seem, it really should be our primary goal.

[Hiraeth]

29. Agree.

[jwirr]

31. Amen.

[seabeyond]

37. i dont either. how boring is that? so much to discuss? i am enthusiastically anticipating

conversation from both. as i continually state. two smart. two democrats. i cant wait.

[Prism]

39. He didn't mention ENDA either

And economic populism won't become economic justice unless social justice in areas like that is achieved.

However, economic populism is his core strength in this election. It's something he has over Clinton in just about every area of measurement. So, in making his announcement, I understand why he is making it his campaign's central plank.

Do I think he doesn't care about the LGBT community? No. He has a long, verifiable history. He was for marriage equality long before it was safe or socially acceptable to be so.

So, I don't worry whether or not he cares about my community. I know he does. His record reflects that. His history and record also reflect he cares about the African American community.

I don't need everything in one announcement speech. I just need to know the candidate has a record of substance on these issues.

Bernie does. He's cool. Let's see where he goes with this. It's a long way until the primaries.

Even though we disagree, however, yours was a very nice post. Thank you for the civility.

[bigtree]

41. the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

...is very, very important.

To make that a reality it will take repeated and insistent advocacy from the elevation of the campaigns. That kind of rhetorical commitment is something that candidates need to decide on; whether they are willing to prioritize their campaign around a specific set of issues which they intend to act on in office.

I understand trust for candidates. What I'm not certain of is whether my own trust will translate into a national embrace of a candidate or their platform. That, I believe needs to come from the candidates, themselves, and it's not going to be as easy as pointing to their past record. That will certainly factor in, but issues need constant, direct, and insistent advocacy. That's what elections are supposed to be about.

It's a long year ahead and I trust that Sen. Sanders will be honest, inclusive, and forthcoming on many issues. How he, and others, prioritize their appeals will shape their achievable agenda into office, if elected. I look forward to that.

[Prism]

42. I disagree with absolutely nothing in your reply

In the coming months, Sanders will have to make clear in explicit terms on the national stage both what he is fighting for and who he is fighting for. If he does not convince various communities that he has their best interests at heart and the will and priority to fight for them, he won't have a prayer for the nomination.

[sheshe2]

43. KnR

Great Op~ bigtree.

[BainsBane]

45. K and R

With so much nonsense going around on this subject, people need to read this OP.

[Cha]

46. Thank you! No one called Bernie a "racist".. NO ONE.

[BrotherIvan]

47. Your post was made with honest intentions and made many good points

As a person of color, you have standing to make this argument. And in order to make your point, you did not have to post disgusting photos or try to blame the candidate for the horrors of slavery or police violence. That is not how it is done in a civil debate.

It is very true that the candidates need to be clearer about their policies and what they will bring to the Oval Office. I do think that Sanders is starting with economic populism, which effects every working person in this country. But I don't doubt that he will speak further on social issues as well as he has been involved in them for his entire career.

[Jamaal510]

48. K&R

[Cha]

49. You and a few others here aren't the only ones talking about this.. Have you seen this, bigtree?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026749264

[Tarheel_Dem]

51. K&R!