Bernie Sanders's ability to rally black supporters may be critical to his success

[portlander23]

Bernie Sanders's ability to rally black supporters may be critical to his success

Campaigners who met Sanders at a meeting in Washington this week say they were heartened by his increased recognition of their concerns in the wake of the Michael Brown killing in Ferguson, Missouri, and other police shooting incidents in the year since.

But some of those in the meeting said they were still “interested in seeing” if he responds to their argument that tackling racial injustice needs specific policies beyond Sanders’ general commitment to reducing inequality.

“Senator Sanders – and every candidate – can and must focus explicitly on race,” said Brittany Packnett, an activist with Campaign Zero and member of the Ferguson Commission.

On Thursday, Sanders joined with African-American congressman Keith Ellison in launching new legislation aimed at phasing out the use of private companies to run state and federal jails, a factor they say has played a big part in soaring US prison numbers and the disproportionate incarceration of young black men.

“I personally will be focusing on comprehensive criminal justice reform,” Sanders told the Guardian. “This is one important part and I think can bring a number of people around this issue, but you’re right, this is a much broader issue.”

“It was a productive meeting,” DeRay McKesson, a leader of the recently launched comprehensive policy platform Campaign Zero, told the Guardian regarding the senator. “There were many perspectives present. There were really healthy conversations about income and wealth and how race factors into them.”

Winning the support of activists may also help Sanders in his battle to persuade progressive Democrats in Congress to endorse his campaign, something none have yet done.

“Senator Sanders is our brother. He is a member of the progressive caucus. We are very proud of him,” Ellison told the Guardian.

[randys1]

1. AS long as nobody on his team is as dismissive and asinine as some here when it comes

to their attitude about BLM.

I doubt he would tolerate anyone working for him who would say some of the crap I have heard around here.

[SonderWoman]

2. Yup.

[portlander23]

4. BLM

I was really angry at BLM when they interrupted Mr. Sanders in Portland. But, I didn't go off and rant about it or complain online, mostly because I agree with them. It would be easier to complain if I didn't. The problem I had was I didn't want them to derail Mr. Sanders' candidacy.

The more I thought about it though, the more I'm glad they did interrupt. People are getting killed. The system is rigged. That's bigger than any one person's candidacy no matter how I feel about it. And while I'm still not sure I agree with the tactics, the tactics aren't mine to choose. Working as an outside agitator is as valid as working in the system, perhaps more so.

I was at Occupy Wall Street getting in people's faces because I thought the bank bailout was a crime and no one was doing a damned thing about it (looking at you Mr. Obama). Black Lives Matter is right. Killing people is wrong and we're not doing a damned thing about it.

BLM changed my mind.

I'm here. I'm listening. I'm not going to tell them what they need to do. I want to know how I can help. I hope that's where Mr. Sanders is at too.

[JackInGreen]

7. I needed to check myself after Seattle

I had to consider.....I'm a "bomb thrower" in some situations, I like to shit disturb people that are on the wrong side or ignorant to plights I'm sympathetic to. I couldn't fault fellow bomb throwers, no matter how much I was outraged or hurt having, in my opinion, false accusations hurled at me. I don't have to like em, but I can't at all call them out. Bernies always done right, I'll follow his example.
#BlackLivesMatter

[liberal_at_heart]

5. No one said he shouldn't meet with AA community leaders. We Sanders supporters

encourage and applaud that What we take issue with was the accusation that Sanders was racist because he had West at his speech. I love the idea of not using private companies to run federal and state prisons. That is a fantastic idea. I want more of our public services turned back to the people, not to the greedy damn corporations.

[thereismore]

3. "can and must focus explicitly on race"

Sounds like demands of a single-issue voter. I wonder if anything Bernie does will ever meet their expectations. Sigh.

[jfern]

8. It's a great way to lose an election, to focus explicitly on race

[Maedhros]

9. Well, maybe not.

"Explicitly" does not mean "solely."

What he's saying is that candidates need to be honest and say "institutional racism is a big problem in America," and not dance around the issue with weasel words.

Sanders has done this - I was at the rally in Portland, and he spoke directly about this issue multiple times in reference to incarceration rates, education, and employment.

[jfern]

10. On Monday, he told a right-wing college

that this country was founded upon "racist principles".

[Maedhros]

11. That seems pretty explicit to me, and not in a bad way.

He says what he means.

[azmom]

6. Good for everyone involved.

It's a good start.

The political revolution is going to be multi-racial or it won't be at all.

Solidarity with The Black Lives Matter movement.

Latinos for Bernie