Is Bernie tone-deaf on race?

[rbrnmw]

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/25/1491492/-The-Neverending-Tone-Deafness-of-Bernie-Sanders?_=2016-02-25T17:16:19-08:00
snip

How tone deaf is Bernie Sanders on race? If we look back through his history in government, we find a much different Bernie than we would find in 1968. Is it his time living in mostly white Vermont that has affected his ability to discuss race in a clear and coherent manner? Or is it the fact that he sees race as a wedge issue, something that distracts from his all important theme of economic inequality? In my opinion, it is a combination of many elements that contribute to his stubborn attachment to shifting from race to poverty, without even demonstrating the shallowest understanding of the intersections that separate them.

We are not all poor. We are not all on welfare. We are not all in jail. So why does Bernie Sanders always pivot from matters of race to matters of poverty and incarceration? Yes, we know they are connected, but they are not the SAME THING. We all know that there are many disparities between the races in almost every walk of life, but what we need in a leader is someone who shows that they can engage us on issues and has a genuine interest in our issues. From OUR perspective.

[peacebird]

1. No.

[kristopher]

2. No

[CentralMass]

3. No.

[72DejaVu]

4. Tone deaf? Nah.

Why, just the other day he was talking about welfare and prison.

[NurseJackie]

6. ... and hanging out on "street corners"

[72DejaVu]

11. Once we reform the campaign finance system

Those kids will finally pull their damned pants up!

[NurseJackie]

17. ... I guess he gets points for not saying

... basketball instead of street corners.

[roguevalley]

25. no he's not but thanks for your concern.

[EffieBlack]

15. And you know that kids without jobs tend to get in trouble

[bettyellen]

41. if only Mike Brown was going to college!

[MADem]

8. Ouch! nt

[sheshe2]

20. ;)

[Autumn]

5. No

[7wo7rees]

7. No, are you?

[farleftlib]

9. No. Nyet. Nein. Non.

[MaggieD]

10. He seems so to me - but that's really for minorities to decide

I really liked that article. I thought the examples were very good.

[nc4bo]

12. HRC:"You're asking me to say I have never, I don't believe I ever have. I don't believe I ever will"

LIE

If one tells a lie enough times, it becomes the truth, HRC/GOP.

Too bad for Camp Weathervane, we fight against her lies at every opportunity.

[EffieBlack]

13. Beautifully stated

[yourpaljoey]

14. such a parcel of nonsense

[jillan]

16. Well then again he could be talking about predators & telling people to heel & having SS throw out a

protester - but he's not.

So to answer your question? Nope. Now Hillary on the other hand - I'll let Tim answer your question.

[rhett o rick]

18. It's really simple. Sanders is honest and honestly working for all Americans.

Clinton has been made unbelievably wealthy by those she answers to. To think she cares about AA or anyone else in the 99% is total naivety.

[Arazi]

19. Sanders has a POC problem and yes, a big part of it is his rhetoric

that said, he's done a 180 and worked hard to listen and incorporate black issues into his campaign. He's eminently respectful and the best on racial issues now of any candidate.

Those who try to paint this as continuing tone deafness are simply trying to perpetuate HRC's early meme that he's a racist imo.

He's learning. He's learned

[jillan]

21. I proudly stand with Blacks in Law Enforcement and their endorsement

http://www.bleausa.org/blacks-in-law-enforcement-of-america-supports-bernie-sanders-for-democratic-presidential-primary/

Blacks in Law Enforcement of America supports Bernie Sanders for Democratic Presidential Primary

We support Senator Sanders because his platform is to pursue national policies that value the people of color and the institution of responsible policing in America. We are supporting a candidate that has supported the minority community when it wasn’t popular. We are supporting a man who has a proven history on the front lines in the battle of our civil liberties.

Guess they don't agree with you

[99th_Monkey]

22. I think the point Bernie's making is that these issues are more than 'casually connected'

they are -- more importantly -- CAUSALLY Connected. Simply put, they hugely overlap and
can easily feed on each other.

There is a clear cause and effect dynamic going on here, between "matters of race & matters
of poverty and incarceration", a reciprocally toxic dynamic that few have the courage to even
talk about, much less run for President with this as a major plank in his platform.

The point is, Bernie is the one pointing all this out to the rest of us. No one else is. It's an
important message for all our sakes.

Yet it will take all or most of us to ignite genuine transformation. It really is that simple.

Thank you Bernie. i for one take you up on the invitation to help transform our democracy to
harmonize with our nation's higher Angels. It's about common dignity, mutual respect, being in
it together, reclaiming values almost entirely forgotten -- values I dare say that have been
gasping for air since the late 70s. .. or perhaps since forever.

[LexVegas]

23. Absolutely.nt

[Armstead]

24. Missing the point, yet again

Race issues do NOT conflict with overall economic/social justice.

It is only when people unite for their common interests will everyone's lives be improved.

That does not minimize racial issues or needs. But improvbing life for everyone benefits EVERYONE.

[Hoyt]

26. If the way Black Duers who support Clinton have been treated is any indication, Yes.

Sanders might be fine on this issue, but many of his supporters are reminding me of the Dixiecrats of old in that they are quite hostile to minorities who don't support their boy.

[TM99]

32. I am sorry that is utter bullshit.

Insults the majority of Sanders white supporters here by calling them Dixicrats is beyond the pale.

You should delete this atrocious lie. I know you won't, but you should.

Jesus!

[Hoyt]

33. I disagree, Sanders supporters have bashed Clinton supporters and Civil Rights icons

who endorsed Clinton. You should take a critical look at some of the crud here. Sanders doesn't need to run a negative campaign, he has his supporters to do that.

[TM99]

38. Hardly.

Criticizing someone who is lying and distorting the truth is not 'bashing'. Funny you ignore the fact that Lewis had to walk back his comments.

Y'all always complain that any negative statement about her is a 'bashing'. She brings every last bit of it on herself. Her recorded history is there for all to see - her flip flops, her pandering, her lies, he 'misspoken' statements like 'bringing them to heel'.

[Chitown Kev]

47. and even DUers like me who don't support Clinton

but get accused of supporting Clinton anyway because we ain't feeling the Bern.

[Duckhunter935]

27. no

[whatchamacallit]

28. This question was stupid the first time I heard it

and it doesn't get better with age.

[desmiller]

29. Hell no.

It's just that a a lot of people are tone deaf on his message. Possibly intentionally. Perfect examples: cnn, fox news (duh), msnbc, etc...

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

30. Vis-a-vis Mrs. Clinton? She talks about the same shit, dude

[JonLeibowitz]

31. No.

[Bjornsdotter]

34. Jonathon Jackson

...doesn't seem to think so according to his introduction of Bernie Sanders at Chicago State University.

[rbrnmw]

35. Who is Jonathon Jackson?

[Bjornsdotter]

39. Professor at Chicago State University

....and the son of Rev. Jessie Jackson.

[rbrnmw]

40. oh duh thanks

[cherokeeprogressive]

44. On YOUR thread about being "tone-deaf on race" you had to be told who Jonathon Jackson is...

That right there is some comedy fucking gold.

[rbrnmw]

46. sorry I didn't know immediately

I do know who he is though so whatever.

[tk2kewl]

36. He does not equate poor, welfare or jail with race

Maybe b/c he actually address all of these issues some of his detractors try to conflate them and pin that impression on him.

[FrenchieCat]

37. Yes!

If welfare would've been a topic of discussion way prior to a few days before a vote in the state heavy on Black demographics, that would be one thing!

The fact that Bernie comes into a state, yells welfare, and then leaves, was quite ridiculous in my opinion....as it only brought back very harmful stereotypes that black people have been trying to put to bed! But no, in comes Bernie to talk about welfare reform from 20 years ago just cause he thought it would score points against his opponent! It tone deaf pandering of the highest order, IMO!

[Fearless]

42. Nope.

[azurnoir]

43. LOL

[cherokeeprogressive]

45. Nnnnnnnnnnnnope!

[senz]

48. Bernie has spent HIS ENTIRE LIFE advocating for racial justice and civil rights.

No other candidate comes close.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511324268

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

49. "Black issues"

I don't know what black issues are but they clearly but you are helping me understand what they are not:
Not education
Not economic justice
Not racial justice
Not law enforcement
Not jobs

And something tells me you have to be wearing shades and playing a sax when you talk about these mysterious issues.

Anyway, bravenak, your red ass, hick state very well may pick our candidate, the vote for some knucklehead like Trump or Rubio. You guys hardly deserve the honor of picking the Dem candidate. One more day, then good riddance to SC. Hillary abandoned you years ago during her husband's admin (you're in denial of you believe she's always been there for you; "ending welfare as we know it" devastated poor black families), before moving on to become Senator of Wall Street and then SOS. I guess she earned a second chance.