BREAKING NEWS: Mothers of Slain Black Teenagers Assail Bernie Sanders for ‘Ghetto’ Comments

[Cali_Democrat]

By Yamiche Alcindor

Hillary Clinton, seeking to cement her lead among black voters, released statements from the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis on Tuesday criticizing Bernie Sanders for saying white people “don’t know what it’s like to be living in a ghetto.”

<...>

On Tuesday, the Clinton campaign released statements from Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Mr. Martin, and Lucia McBath, the mother of Mr. Davis. The two black teenagers were killed in separate shootings in Florida that became racial flash points.

“Senator Sanders is wrong to suggest that the concept of the ghetto is inextricably connected to black America,” Ms. Fulton said in the statement. “We need a president who understands black families don’t all live in ghettos — and who has a plan to end the racial violence that too often plagues families like mine.”

The mothers also attacked Mr. Sanders’s position on gun control and denounced the fact that the National Rifle Association praised the senator’s stance against holding most gun manufacturers responsible for the actions of people who buy weapons legally and go on to commit crimes.

“Combating gun violence is a top priority for my family and countless families across this nation,” Ms. McBath said in the statement released Tuesday. “That’s why it’s so disappointing to see the N.R.A. defending Senator Sanders on guns.”

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/03/08/mothers-of-slain-black-teenagers-assail-bernie-sanders-for-ghetto-comments/

[bravenak]

1. We are not all poor, on drugs, or in jail.

Glad to see them speaking out.

[TM99]

2. More racial divisiveness from the Clinton campaign.

Did they also condemned Clinton for her upcoming get-together with an NRA lobbyist? I doubt it.

[frazzled]

4. Wha? These mothers saying that not all black people live in ghettos or are poor is now

racial divisiveness? Sanders has to own up to his own gaffe on this very misconceived statement. It's the result of campaigning from abstract ideology rather than lived experience. I really do feel he'd do well to apologize for the statement. Maybe he should just say that he didn't know that all black people don't live in ghettos, or that many white people are impoverished. It was his statement that was racially divisive to these women. It painted a picture of an underclass that is simply not universally true, on any count.

[CoffeeCat]

12. But the problem is---that Sanders never said what you are suggesting

Sanders never said "all black people live in ghettos or are poor."

Sanders was asked about his own personal "blind spots" when it came to African Americans.

He gave several examples of blind spots. One example was about one of his colleagues in DC, who was walking to a conference. When Sanders asked him why he wasn't hailing a cab, his colleague revealed to Sanders that he didn't try to hail cabs anymore because they all drove past him. Sanders was crestfallen that this was happening to him.

Sanders also discussed how he couldn't possibly know what it was like to be dragged out of your own car and stopped by the police because of racial profiling.

And he made the comment about not possibly understanding what it would be like to live in a ghetto. It was the third or forth example he gave. One of many.

Never, ever did he say that all black people live in a ghetto. Or that all black people are poor. In fact, he used several illustrations--and clearly one of those illustrations was about a very accomplished black man in DC whose method of getting to a conference was based on bigoted cab drivers. That impacted Sanders.

What is happening here....is wrong. His words are being twisted. And now you are not only omitting the other examples that Sanders did say--you are now saying that Sanders said, "all black people live in ghettos or are poor."

That's what the Clinton campaign does though. I always thought it would be the Republicans who were trying to divide us on race, class and gender. It turns out that Hillary Clinton is trying to do that within our own party.

I applaud any person--no matter what their background or race--to pick their candidate of choice and be passionate about them.

However, I think it's incredibly sad when so much misinformation is used to paint Senator Sanders as a racist or someone who can't connect with black people. They've been working very hard at this. On Jan 21, that wretched David Brock, who tried to paint Anita Hill as a crazy liar--said this about Sanders, "He just doesn't care about black people." That was before Sanders ever stepped foot out of Iowa.

The Clinton camp made damn sure that "Sanders can't connect with black people" would be a cemented narrative before he ever got to introduce himself to states with high minority populations.

Tired of the lies and exaggerations. All to position Sanders as a racist.

[frazzled]

19. It was the implication of his remarks, for sure

And nobody, but nobody, has said he is racist, either because of this or anything else. They're just saying he was clueless in this remark. It missed the mark, and it offended people. And it shows a bit that he doesn't think about race in very knowledgable or sophisticated ways. And it betrayed a bit of not being up to date.

You cannot tell people they were not offended. That's not legit. Please try to be objective about your candidate. They all make mistakes, they all have their merits and their blind spots, and we can acknowledge these at the same time that we remain supporters overall.

[TeeYiYi]

46. The only people who were offended...

...were persons looking for a reason to be offended; most likely political adversaries.

Bernie Sanders has a solid track record when it comes to issues of racial divide and discrimination. In matters of historic racism and the fight for civil rights for all people, Bernie is on the right side of history.

TYY

[nc4bo]

21. Once again, here's the quote HRC's trying to turn into racebaiting.

[IMG][/IMG]

And SURPRISE! It's from a group of black activists Hillary has made clear she has no use for.

BLM is placed on ignore. EVEN on DU.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Not just BLM, all issues of race unless they are conventiient

[CoffeeCat]

37. I really wish that HRC would just try to win this race on her own merits

She has supporters who vote for her for all kinds of reasons. Many are my friends.

However, when she stoops to dividing the Democratic party--dividing us--it's very disheartening.

And to lie, misinform and play PR games with selective quotes--is devious.

I do understand that many are offended by the term "ghetto." I get that. However, most of the outrage I'm seeing is from people who are getting the spun version of Sanders words.

David Brock, speaking for the Clinton campaign started much of this on January 21 when he came out and said, "Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to care about black people."

That was two weeks before the Iowa caucuses, when Sanders and his campaign had yet to introduce himself and his ideas to anyone beyond Iowa and NH.

[hedda_foil]

43. This makes it obvious that he was quoting the young woman when he gave that answer.

[CalvinballPro]

32. He was asked about his blind spots on race, and he revealed one, big time.

[TM99]

20. This has been thoroughly debunked.

This was part of an exchange with BLM members and was a partial quote. It also fits the usage of the term in current American experience as well as historically.

I am not offended by his statement because I understand the context. I also care more about the 26% of AA's in my community that are in abject poverty living in inner city ghettos a hell of a lot more than that my ego.

[frazzled]

22. No it wasn't: he said it in a town hall, and many were offended

There's no such thing as debunking what someone said. He said it, he owns it. And frankly, we talk about people living in "the community" now, not ghettos. That's so 70s.

Look, only 28% of African Americans are living in poverty. That's still way too high. But for the 72% who are middle class and above, it betrayed a deep misunderstanding of today's black population. They don't want to be thought of as poor ghetto people. I wish you could understand that.

[TM99]

31. Dude or dudette,

I am bi-racial, so quit the meme of 'you just don't get it' with me.

[CoffeeCat]

34. But Sanders spoke

about his colleague too. He didn't just make the comment about ghettos.

He was asked about white privilege and his "blind spots" when it comes to race. The first example he used was obviously about an upper middle class black colleague who walked to a conference rather than taking a cab. When Sanders asked him why, his colleague said that the cab drivers passed him by and that he was humiliated. So he walked.

This was an example of an upper-middle class black person--and Sanders was practically grieving on stage that someone would experience that.

I don't think of black people as poor, ghetto people. I didn't get that from Sanders comment at all!

I heard the cab comments, and I also heard Sander's comments about being white and not enduring racial profiling. I mean...it's painful to even think that we live in a world like this!

I live in a white, uppity suburb and the police officers are our friends. When our dog was lost in -20 temps, the police followed my Facebook page, and after reading about where we were searching for the dog, they showed up and helped search for two hours at night. After the dog was found they brought over dog treats and toys. When I'm stopped for speeding, I've always been let go.

I'm aware of my white privilege. But I'm also angry and sad that it's 2016 and not everyone is treated the same. It's unjust and it's crazy.

And frankly, when I see all of this jockeying for position to paint Sanders as a racist or someone who doesn't care about black people--that evokes the same kind of sadness.

Painting someone with a broad brush and unfairly judging them--and twisting their words--while suggesting that they are racist or that they don't care about black people (when they clearly do) is also a form of unfairness.

[noiretextatique]

49. DUH...who doesn't know that?

It's like saying water is wet.

[NurseJackie]

11. Bernie screwed up on this one. He should have been better at thinking-on-his-feet and ...

... not create an opportunity for others to exploit the weakness he has in connecting with the AA community. Frankly, his follow-up and "damage control" seemed, in my opinion, to make matters worse. It's just one thing after another.

Did they also condemned Clinton for her upcoming get-together with an NRA lobbyist?

That's rather up to you, isn't it?

[Wilms]

18. He could have handled it MUCH better, I agree.

And it was especially important to "not create an opportunity for others to exploit the weakness he has in connecting with the AA community" because in this case, the "others" are Clintons. They exploit. No matter that they are stirring racial tensions within the Democratic Party.

[CalvinballPro]

33. Have you condemned Sanders for accepting the endorsement of one of the Keating Five?

Sen Reigle, who is also currently a lobbyist, was part of the banking corruption scandal in the 80s. Kind of an odd endorsement for Mr Integrity to be publicly bragging about, IMO.

[TM99]

35. This is a called a red herring.

Go back to college and learn about it.

We are discussing race baiting by the Clinton campaign and this particular article example.

[CalvinballPro]

39. If mine's a red herring, yours was first.

The man in question from your post is in fact an ex-NRA lobbyist, not a current one.

If he's changed his mind on guns and supports Clinton's position on that issue now, that's something to be celebrated, not used in a petty attack.

[TM99]

40. Nope.

Read the OP. The mothers in question directly tie Sanders to the NRA and their support. My comment is relevant to the actual discussion.

Your was not.

[DemocraticWing]

3. He was quoting an activist protesting the deaths of unarmed black teenagers.

Hillary trotting out every black person she knows to give their personal definition of ghetto is political opportunism and exploitation.

[magical thyme]

6. offs, at no time did he ever say or suggest that all black people live in ghettos.

[oasis]

7. I had a hunch Bernie wouldn't hear the last of this.

Maybe he will make an attempt to smooth things over during tomorrow night's debate.

[Nictuku]

8. I think it is time I figure out how to use the ignore thingie

..... every time I read a post that turns my stomach at the divisiveness, and seeming hatefulness contained within the post, it seems it is always the same person.

I guess that is what the ignore thingie was created for. After 12 yeas and never using it, now is the time.

[SheenaR]

26. Just look at authors

The usual suspects who you may want ignore publish the same stuff every day. Like clockwork. I try to stay away from the threads but i am weak

[kristopher]

29. +1

[dinkytron]

9. Hillary takes the low road as always. I dread her getting the nomination.

[SoCalMusicLover]

10. Too Dumb To Realize The NRA's Motivations?

Sure....they're complimenting Bernie Sanders on his position. CLEARLY that means they support a Sanders Presidency, right?

Or perhaps they hate Sanders as much as they hate Clinton, and though they act complimentary towards Sanders, what they really want is a Repub president and a pro-2nd Amendment platform.

So either they like Sanders' position, and would be glad if he won, they really are saying these things to give Hillary the upper hand, by driving anti-gun Democrats away from Mr. Sanders, so that she will be the nominee. Now, I wonder why that is.

Probably because they know it will be easier for a repub candidate to defeat her, and give them exactly what they want.

[TheCowsCameHome]

13. Breaking News! Stop everythng! Whoa there! Halt!

Campaign releases a political statement.

Give me a break.

Who cares?.......really.

[Cheese Sandwich]

14. " wrong to suggest that the concept of the ghetto is inextricably connected to black America"

That just about says it all for me.

These ladies deserve respect but their statement is politics.


Yes the concept of the ghetto is inextricably connected to black America.

[whatchamacallit]

15. The only thing breaking here is wind

This story has been around all day.

[Vattel]

16. Sad.

"We need a president who understands black families don’t all live in ghettos — and who has a plan to end the racial violence that too often plagues families like mine.”

Obviously he does realize that, and he does have a plan.

[Onlooker]

17. What goes around comes around

The Sanders surrogates have been warned time and time again that taking Republican talking points against Hillary and taking Hillary's positions out of context gives her campaign permission to to the same to Sanders. They just have to suck it up. if they want to turn Hillary into some sort of Wall Street warmongering criminal by distorting the truth, the same game can be played against Sanders.

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. So a jewish man who grew up in a jewish ghetto

you will not get the usage here, and who lost relatives after being concentrated into ghastly ghettos before extermination, has no cluse what the word means. while at it, throw Black Lives Mater under the bus, I love it.

And do not talk to me about respect for minorities at this point.

[Kalidurga]

38. LOL@respect for minorities.

I am pretty slow, so I didn't get the lack of respect for minorities from the established Democrats until 1998. My friends clued me and I was indeed shocked. This is where I learned about red lining and the government looking the other way at drugs coming into communities, but having no problem with mass incarceration of people selling drugs on the street, war lords good, small time dealer downright evil. It's just amazing how inept our government is at reigning in the abuse of the average person of no wealth, yet can incarcerate those same people for petty crimes.

[CalvinballPro]

42. Brooklyn (where Sanders grew up) is not a "Jewish ghetto."

[nadinbrzezinski]

45. Brooklyn where Sanders grew up

was one in traditional usage of the word by Jews and was also a poorer area.

Knowledge of the Jewish experience in this country is tragically low in this country

To be fair, knowledge of anybody's but the dominant culture is tragically non existent. But in the 1900, all the way to the 1950s, (and he grew up in that generation) the neighborhood was what it was,

Guess what skippy, but that same tradition I am traveling to one in MEXICO CITY tomorrow.. and it has not one thing to do with the law, but the Jewish experience. I suppose you will regale me how it is not one either.

[CalvinballPro]

41. +1

There always seems to be some kind of exception or double standard in Bernie's favor. It's been going on since last summer.

[SheenaR]

24. Breaking News

My mom assails Clinton because the Secretary is a compulsive liar.

Keep dividing us through race. It's going to hurt us all in November

[nadinbrzezinski]

47. Let me alert the media... :-) Oh wait, you already have

I have heard this in the field more than once, Your mom is not alone.

How many people will vote for her in November, assuming she wins, due to these issues is in my mind an open question. Mostly it is what I am hearing now.

[nadinbrzezinski]

25. Our children are not learning

when did ghetto only apply to African Americans? For starters... I mean.

The manipulation is what is sickening to me. But hey, people love to be manipulated I suppose That is the only useful conclusion at this point,.

[mhatrw]

28. So Yamiche is shilling for Hillary with anecdotes YET AGAIN. nt

[DesertRat]

30. k&r

[Zen Democrat]

36. They are famously on the Hillary train - and this is low, very low, for Hillary.

I think I'm losing all respect for the woman. Does she ever tell the unvarnished truth, or are her answers so long and convoluted just to cover for the lack of a sincere yes or no answer? I've been listening to Hillary for 25 years and she's still the same.

[amborin]

44. This story was released by Clinton campaign

[noiretextatique]

48. We have a Black president

Black attorney general, countless Black professionals in DC, celebrities, athletes, doctors, lawyers, etc. I don't think Bernie is that stupid. And what about the Black people who do still live on ghettos? Heaven forbid a ptesidential candidate gives a shit about them. Easily to continue the faux outrage.