Ta-Nehisi Coates Says He'll Vote For Bernie Sanders (confirmed)

[kpete]

Last edited Wed Feb 10, 2016, 11:39 AM - Edit history (1)

Just now on Democracy Now, he said that he’d vote for Bernie Sanders. Once I get the transcript, I’ll give his full answer to you. This is kind of pretty big news, given that Ta-Nehisi Coates had criticized Bernie Sanders on the issue of reparations.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/10/1482807/-Kind-Of-Big-Ta-Nehisi-Coates-Says-He-ll-Vote-For-Bernie-Sanders


UPDATED & CONFIRMED:

https://twitter.com/democracynow/status/697443077343023105

[bravenak]

1. That was pretty much what he hinted in that article

He did not even consider Hillary. Sad folks trashed him so bad.

[firebrand80]

2. Right, this is no surprise at all

The criticism on reperations read very much like "I like what you're saying, but consider this."

That why all the "BUT HILLARY AND OBAMA DON'T EITHER!!" arguments were completely beside the point.

Oh well, he's out from under the bus now.

[bravenak]

3. I hope people feel bad and have a bit of decency from now on

[JRLeft]

8. This is the first election where I truly believe black people have to be sold on who to vote for.

A lot of us ain't buying the we love you now bullshit.

[bravenak]

9. Think so too

I feel very skeptical. More of him than her shes a known quantity
Sanders cannot manage his 'revolution'

[Indepatriot]

55. You clearly do not yet understand that this

is NOT. "His Revolution"....this is OUR REVOLUTION.

[bravenak]

61. Not MINE

He is talking to YOU

I hear nothing that makes me want to join

[cui bono]

68. Yes, but you've admitted that you are trolling DU and that that's why you post against Bernie.

So there's that.

.

[bravenak]

70. Sad you guys think posting against Bernie i trolling

I been here way before this campaign. And I never admitted any such thing tht is not true but go ahead and keep repeating yourself about me day after day

[cui bono]

71. No, someone saying they are trolling is trolling. Yes, you did admit it.

There was a screenshot of your pm admitting everything posted and then you posted "best pm ever".

You know I'm telling the truth.

.

[bravenak]

72. I never said that. You said that.

[mountain grammy]

39. That's exactly what I thought he was saying too,

and I agreed with him. I usually do. He's an excellent writer.

[JonLeibowitz]

4. He impressed me enough to add several of his writings to my reading list.

His positions are quite well reasoned, even if I disagree with a few. But maybe he'll convince me.

[bravenak]

7. He's good

[Cal Carpenter]

14. Between the World and Me is excellent

I read it the day it came out and have recommended it to a zillion people. It won the National Book Award for 2015.

His earlier memoir, The Beautiful Struggle, is also a great read. It's more of a straightforward memoir of his upbringing and college years, versus his newer one which is presented as a letter to his teen son and has a lot more punch to it.

I like his style a lot, and I think his voice has developed significantly over the years. I'm curious to see where he goes next. Like you, I don't always agree with everything, but that's always true when I read nonfiction and I think it is the best part. Makes you dig a little deeper and rethink things.

[JonLeibowitz]

67. Thank you, that is very helpful n/t

[Bonobo]

5. "Trashed" = asked why he didn't apply the same question to Hillary.

Anyway, he's a grown up and he can take it.

Apparently Sanders supporters didn't force HIM to vote for the candidate less likely to actually change the lives of Black folk for the better.

[bravenak]

6. I read his facebook and the nwords he got called

That is not DISAGREEMENT

[Bonobo]

11. Oh, I thought you meant on DU.

Nevermind.

[bravenak]

12. I was not even posting on du at the time

Whyever would I mean DU? Think I take it super serious like that? Ssdd.

[joshcryer]

23. Oh yes, DU was a bastion of considered reason over this.

Please give me a break.

[m-lekktor]

13. I saw a few critiques of him by far leftists,

but nothing horrific, i admit i just scanned them quickly last week. I think the topic was reparations mostly. I am not familiar enough with Mr Coates to comment though I have his latest book on my kindle not yet read. I saw one piece where he was called "Bougie" in the title. the racism on his facebook page you mention is fucked up and I am sad to hear that.

[bravenak]

21. It happens TO EVERYBODY who endorses Hillary

He did not even think about her and he got it.

We black folks love social media. Our twitters get bombarded still. Cannot say boo without the 'correctors' coming to fix you.

[m-lekktor]

27. I am not on twitter and reddit and don't see all of this.

I don't need all that extra distraction , facebook is bad enough. I take your word for it though!

[bravenak]

31. I try to stay off now

I actually hate it

[KittyWampus]

28. LOL! You must not have delved deeply into what DU's Sanders supporters were actually typing.

[m-lekktor]

34. about T-nahesi Coates? nope i never saw anything on DU in regards to him

by Sanders supporters, you are correct! I would be curious to read it though! Everything I read was via facebook posts. I am facebook friends or I "like" the facebook pages of leftist opinion piece writers and bloggers and I read commentary with comments that way, nothing from DU on Mr Coates! Many of those far leftists are critical of Bernie as well, btw!

[Admiral Loinpresser]

82. I remember discussing the TNC Bernie/reparations article when it came out.

It was interesting stuff. I support the idea of reparations, but agree with the pragmatic arguments for otherwise labeling programs to redress racially-targeted policies. The only place where I think TNC was off was in conflating Bernie's platform with reparations in terms of political viability. Bernie's platform is mainstream, while reparations, nationalizing oil companies, guaranteed minimum income, etc., are much farther to the left and not yet mainstream. So I'm glad TNC is pushing Bernie on that (to shift the Overton window) but also glad Bernie is not backing reparations this cycle, because it would be bad politics. His first job as a candidate is to get elected.

[jonestonesusa]

85. This was my take too on the reparations flap.

Sanders' remarks on reparations received excessive scrutiny by Coates and by many DUers who seemed determined to deflate the campaign at a pivotal moment. I support reparations myself, but it is pretty clear that opinions on that issue are strong and divisive, just as Sanders said in the context of a lengthier commentary. Coates' implication was that issues like single payer and college access are equally divisive but more white friendly. I disagreed with that framing, and some DU fans of Coates didn't want to hear that.

Some are saying now that Coates was for Sanders all along, but Coates himself speaks of a change of heart, influenced by his son. This is very significant. Our future has something to say to us, through our children. We should listen.

[thereismore]

20. I am dumbfounded. Truly stunned. Grateful too. nt

[bravenak]

33. I thought it was obvious

[thereismore]

38. I did not read his article, if you can believe that. I still have not. I came out in support of

reparations after you and I talked. To me it's an issue of justice. He says he wants reparations to specific people for specific wrongdoings. How is that even doubted? Who can deny those claims? Of course there should be reparations for that! What I mean by reparations is broader than that. It would be investment in communities that suffered historical injustices, that includes black people and native Americans too. I would call it the economic affirmative action but white people would start bitching.

[bravenak]

42. Hahaha!! Gotta find a clever title.

The white people feel great about helping act. Id vote for it.

You should read it when you get time

[thereismore]

46. I will. Helping Act? Wouldn't that be too condescending to black people, like you need help from

from white folk? Just teasing. Something like The New American Community Restoration Act. That would include anti-gentrification measures like higher-then-federal minimum wage for hired local contractors.

[bravenak]

60. Yours Sounds better

[Jackie Wilson Said]

78. Just make sure whatever you call it and however you implement it you make sure

to make white folks feel comfortable about it.

Because if they arent, they will whine and cry and scream to high heaven so loud for so long no politician will be able to withstand it and get anything done.

[femmedem]

10. Wonderful! Thank you, Ta-Nehisi Coates--both for your previous articles and for this.

I thought his article talking about Sanders and reparations was spot on and fair, although misinterpreted. I also thought he preferred Sanders, but wrote the article almost as if to say, even amongst the best white politicians, there's a failure to talk about, and perhaps even to see, the full array of ways governmental policies have held back POC.

It was inconvenient for the Sanders campaign, for sure--and I am a huge Sanders supporter--but Coates deserves huge credit for making reparations part of the national dialogue again, just as he deserves huge credit for opening many white eyes to the persistent and pernicious effects of redlining.

I live in a small northeastern city where the old zoning maps have the areas zoned for multi-family homes color-coded brown, where white families in large numbers sent their kids to private schools and--until very recently--flatfunded the public schools attended by POC for a shameful five years in a row. It never was a level playing field, and it never will be without enormous, and sometimes embarrassing pressure.

[JimDandy]

16. Well my jaw dropped!! That is a remarkable turn of events. n/t

[Cheese Sandwich]

17. Great news!

[femmedem]

18. It's about 58 minutes into the Democracy Now segment, for folks who want to listen.

He says his son influenced him.

http://www.democracynow.org/

[thereismore]

22. Start watching at 52:50. Very eye-opening. I agree with everything he says.

Plus, he says if you vote for somebody that doesn't mean he/she is above criticism. He criticizes Sanders because he expects more from him than Hillary. He thinks Sanders has the potential to be the best President for justice (my paraphrasing).

[restorefreedom]

19. the tide is turning, folks.....nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

52. We have seen Hillary's high tide mark. It has ebbed, and now gone slack. Next...

The onrush of Bernie Sanders' rising tide. And at just the right time.

[restorefreedom]

59. !

[bullwinkle428]

24. WHAT? He sounded particularly critical of Bernie just a couple of weeks ago.

Awesome to see him on board - the fact that he pissed off David Brooks so much with his latest book was enough to make me a big fan of him!

[Cheese Sandwich]

29. I like the guy a lot too. Especially love his writings on Baltimore and the Freddie Gray riots.

The media gave so much play to when Coates criticized Sanders now lets see if they do the same for his positive statements. I'm sure they won't .

[ChiciB1]

76. His Issue Is What He's Concerned About, BUT Neither

Obama OR Hillary supported reparations.

Good Get!!!

[Recursion]

93. WTF? Are you saying nobody supporting Sanders is critical of him?

Hell, at this point I'm leaning towards voting Sanders and I'm critical of him all the damn time.

[KittyWampus]

25. Any single Sanders supporter who has a kind word to say about the man is a flaming hypocrite.

[cali]

30. As I never said anything against him at all, I fail to see that.

And frankly, I don't think endorsements mean much. It may be fun to see which notable people endorse which candidate, but that's about the extent of it. I haven't had a critical word to say about any endorsement from any PoC. And I won't.

[bravenak]

35. Yeah

[femmedem]

40. Not true. I've been a big fan of both Sanders and Coates all along.

And I didn't pile on him when he criticized Sanders. I'm sure I'm not alone.

[jtuck004]

41. Or, maybe they are adults and not vengeful little children. n/t

[Iggy Knorr]

44. Subject Matter Expert : flaming hypocrisy n/t

[Enthusiast]

50. +1

[Android3.14]

45. Said no one who supports honesty and independence from corporate control

[thereismore]

47. I said nothing bad about him. I support reparations BTW and you are overly generalizing. nt

[uponit7771]

48. +1

[Bluenorthwest]

53. Why is that? He's a great writer and I tend to agree with him. Are you responsible for all things

said by Hillary supporters, including those banned for openly antisemitic materials? I don't think that you are, but you are suggesting that is the way you judge others, en mass and by association so I am willing to return that favor to you if that's how you like it.

[firebrand80]

62. He has clearly repented

and turned away from his wicked ways

[SheenaR]

66. Never commented on his original article

But paint with those broad strokes.

[cui bono]

73. So in your mind every single Sanders supporter said something disaparaging about Coates?

Every single one?

I'd like to see proof of that.

.

[Vattel]

74. That's a silly thing to say.

[myrna minx]

90. Sweeping generalizations are un-becoming.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1032141

[erlewyne]

26. Super!!!

[Starry Messenger]

32. Good get for Bernie.

I'm not surprised, but maybe some of the folks who trashed him and the Atlantic a few weeks ago might be, lol.

[AOR]

63. As usual you still don't get it...

any criticism of Coates that moves him anywhere to the left of individual economic "libertarianism" and support of neoliberals is warranted and useful. One doesn't get a pass from leftist analysis or criticism because of color or creed. At this point... even through the lens of strictly electoral politics... anyone who is banking on Hillary Clinton as a firewall to defeat Republicans is not thinking clearly. She is swimming in a sea of narcissistic delusion, arrogance, horrendous likability and trust ratings, and organizational chaos that will be her undoing one way or the other. She is finished. If it's not Sanders it will be a Republican. Her negative numbers make her unelectable in the current political climate. How can you not get that at this point ?

[Duval]

36. K&R! nt

[Uncle Joe]

37. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[mountain grammy]

43. K & R

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

49. I'll put it out there that there are plenty of blacks who are considering voting for Bernie.

It's his fanatics who have been horrible and a turn off.

I'm waiting to see what happens as we go forward.

Right now, I'm still planning not to vote for either candidate, but will support the down ticket Democrats.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

79. And Coates was clear.

He's 'voting for', not 'endorsing'. He only felt the need to announce his personal vote because he doesn't like it when other people in the public sphere try to weasel around such questions and didn't like to be like them.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

84. Exactly. I think the difference should be made.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

88. Unfortunately, I have to agree about some Bernie supporters behavior.

Any large populist movement is going to attract people exhibiting boorish behavior, but I hope Bernie's comments deploring the bad stuff will have some effect. Tensions always run high in competitive primaries, and Bernie backers certainly don't have a monopoly on such behavior, but I hope we improve on countering our own, when they are out of line.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

89. Your kind and respectful comment is much appreciated.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

91. +1 n/t

[cilla4progress]

51. U-U-UGE!!!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

54. ...

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

56. And we're already seeing the Clinton supporter take on it.

Just heard on Twitter, Coates is a 'Negro Pokemon'.

[TIME TO PANIC]

57. K & R!

[Cheese Sandwich]

58. Hooray. So glad to see this because I'm a huge fan of both.

[mhatrw]

64. He's not heavy. He's my Berniebro! nt

[Oilwellian]

65. Great news! n/t

[senz]

69. Good news and good news and more good news.

So happy to hear this. Thanks, kpete!

[ChiciB1]

75. Heard It On Democracy Now... It Was A Very Good

conversation talking about reparations. Showed a clip of Obama and why he said he didn't support it back in 2008.

Then he finally said Yes, he will vote for Bernie!

[villager]

77. Whoops! All those faxed talking/posting points have to go into the shredder now!

Alas.

[ecstatic]

80. How is one removed from under the bus?

Coates was kicked wayyyy under the bus a few weeks ago.

[Vattel]

81. I suspect most of us still disagree with him about Sanders and reparations.

That doesn't mean we disagree with him about anything else.

Common bad DU definition of kicking under the bus: Disagreeing with anything an ally says.

[jonestonesusa]

86. Agreed. Daring to disagree with Coates means you're a berniebro,

according to some. Sometimes there's a low tolerance for alternative opinion on an opinion board. An odd paradox of the internet.

[Paulie]

87. That's one vote.

Keep working on EARNING another. And another. And another.

What have you done TODAY to earn another? What will you do to TOMORROW to earn another? Be like Bernie ->

[Recursion]

92. How anybody thought he would vote for somebody other than Sanders after reading his article

eludes me. I think it's the "after reading his article" bit that's the sticking point.