I want Bernie Sanders to talk about race

[BrotherIvan]

His announcement speech did not directly address the needs of minorities, women, LGBT, immigrants and other disenfranchised people. I feel these issues are very important and we must have concrete solutions to very pressing concerns.

If he wants my vote, he needs to address, among other things:

- Police violence, oppression and crimes targeting African Americans especially
- Voting rights, gerrymandering targeting minority areas, and procedures that encourage voting
- Discrimination for race, gender and sexual orientation and enforcement of protection laws in all walks of life
- The War on Drugs and a disproportionate incarceration of African Americans
- Building up minority communities for jobs, business, and education
- Social programs that support disenfranchised communities
- Declining life expectancy among minorities
- Add more here...

I hope he speaks about these things soon because I feel they are very important. I have examined his record and see that he has addressed some of these things, but he needs to bring it front and center in the campaign. I have written this post to start a genuine discussion of the issues that are important to DU members so we can learn from each other.

Thank you

[arcane1]

1. I want him to continue to talk about race. And he will.

[marym625]

2. I completely agree

While I know he does advocate for minorities, and was the first person in a federal office that spoke to the problems in Ferguson, it's not enough.

His message is great and I highly doubt he will make the issues you note his primary issue, it has to be addressed more accurately and clearly

[cascadiance]

3. I think we have to be careful to not think he had to say EVERYTHING in his speech the other day...

Though he had a reasonably long time to address many issues in that speech he gave, he hit on so many of the many issues that are needing to be dealt with today, that I think it is really hard to just criticize him for some that he left out then.

Now if he were to continue to avoid talking about them, especially when asked about them during the campaign, then that would be a totally different issue. Then to me that would be more like Hillary Clinton continuing to avoid making any kind of commitment of supporting or rejecting the Fast Track authority bill going through congress now. That tells me of a conscious effort to avoid talking about an issue. Bernie isn't consciously trying to avoid talking about minority issues in my book.

I think it will be good that he puts a bit more emphasis on these issues in the weeks to come, and I fully expect him to do that. I don't see any reason to believe that he will avoid taking stances on them.

[marym625]

6. I agree

I didn't mean to imply he should have said more in his speech

[cascadiance]

8. Oh, I believe you felt that way too...

Just want to make it sure to the other observers here that I think Bernie's flaw here was mostly one of timing and priority juggling, not a conscious philosophical one.

I agree with you that I think that Bernie should make up for what many perceive as a flaw in priorities to amp up those.

Bernie's been one to voicing potential support for the legalization of pot, and I believe he's spoken out on many occasions how the war on drugs has been so unfair in putting in prison in record numbers so many people of color, which robs them of jobs, government assistance, the right to vote in some places, and their lives with others.

If we help get more states taking away the prohibition of pot, and free a lot of people with just simple possession offenses, we can help correct many of these wrongs, and also reduce a lot of debt that the government wastes money on in putting so many in prison now. And we reduce another slave labor market that Korporate Amerika likes to exploit so much.

[BrotherIvan]

7. Well said

I think he is tackling each issue substantively as much as possible.

[Hiraeth]

4. I have no doubt that he will. I imagine him to be as plain spoken about social issues

as he is about economic issues. I expect to hear it and soon. Bernie Sanders is as good an orator as Obama. He has only just begun.

[Gregorian]

5. I'm going to take a leap here and say what I think Bernie is thinking.

And I don't mean to minimize what I also feel is seriously important.

I think Bernie's visions for a more civil society also affect other areas without actually addressing them. After all, it's pretty hard to change someone's mind by trying to change it. But to give people rights that make their lives better through more knowledge, dignity, and health will no doubt lend to a more accepting society. I say this because what we have seen, since forever, is a kind of bad competition. One person gets and another goes without.

Maybe my post is inappropriate in that the problems we see now require acute remedies. Cops getting away with slamming a pregnant African american woman to the ground under any circumstances is horrendous, but for no reason, is just criminal.

How else do we explain our behavior compared to that in the friendlier European countries? A lot of black musicians moved to Europe in previous decades. I know Billy Cobham did, along with numerous jazz players. I think the kind receptions they received there gave them a sense of home they didn't get here. I'm speculating on a lot of this, but just think this is so important that we have to include all thoughts.

Gil Scott Heron's tune Whitey On The Moon spoke volumes to me. It almost doesn't matter whether it's chicken or egg if the situation exists. I mean that even if we can't change the racist's mind, changing those who endure racism to have better lives will help part of the equation.

I think ignorance is at the heart of racism. I'll admit that after Vietnam my town was flooded with immigrants. I was finding myself harboring racist thoughts. I ended up with a job where I was working exclusively with Vietnamese. I got to hear the stories of death, and survival, and learned that there was something inside of each one of these people that had a story to tell. A story of vulnerability and fragility. And everyone has that story, no matter how tough they seem. We're really all in this together.

Better schools; better job opportunities; better health care. That's how this gets turned around. Just my rambling thoughts.

[cascadiance]

9. I had a good talk with a Vietnamese speaker who spoke with Daniel Elsberg here in Portland...

... who spoke on the many problems that have happened for those who were forced to leave Vietnam after so many of the misdeeds, both public and some that hadn't been so public over the years.

I had a chance to voice the concern and sorrow I had for what I subsequently discovered about the project my dad worked on when we lived in Thailand in the days of the war in Vietnam, and how that project had many who worked in the same university as the remnants of the 'Vietnam Project', which had the CIA infiltrate the university my dad worked for then on those projects over in Vietnam and the leftover project in Thailand that actually had the CIA people there working with the South Vietnamese government on training them how to torture the Viet Cong. And we thought that we hadn't been involved with torture until Afghanistan and Iraq!

I don't think my dad was involved with that part of the project that not many knew about at the time, as it was mainly being done to help with building Thailand's educational infrastructure. In fact Stan Scheinbaum, who headed the project when it was the Vietnam Project had left before my dad had joined the university and went on to help Elsberg with the Pentagon Papers and many other things later after he discovered the CIA infiltration of the project. I told her it was really helpful for me to hear from someone who went through a lot of the horror there so that I could get a better picture how they were affected then too. Check out the documentary "Citizen Stan" for more details.

Living overseas helped me a lot get a good perspective of how it was for minorities, as though I wasn't one that was discriminated against as a kid, as a white guy I was a minority in the various areas I lived in from before I started school in Washington DC, Hawaii, Thailand, and Turkey, all the way up until we moved back to Michigan. It felt odd then for me to be in a community where I was in the majority and there was certainly a big share of discrimination there that I wasn't used to then.

[Hiraeth]

10. This is my take on it as well. I don't think Bernie realizes that he is NOT addressing social issues

Just because he has not specifically called it by that name and just because he has not specifically called out racism by name does not mean he is not trying to solve those problems. I think he is guilty of omission but, not guilty of exclusion.

He just does not understand that he has to spell it out. I think he talks to people and considers people (of all races and genders) to be intelligent enough to understand that when he says he is for the good of all he means exactly that.

How on earth the word all is NOT inclusive I do not understand and I think it is a DU failing and hope it is not the failing of the public at large.

I fully expect his speeches to be more to the point going forward. If he has to spell it out then so be it. He will spell it out. He is a plain spoken man and now he will Spell It out just as plainly.

I have heard of the dumbing down of America and I think this is an example of it.

This place is NIT PICKY to the max.

[BrotherIvan]

12. Now they are arguing about optics

Because the facts of his record clearly show that the assertions are patently false.

I started this thread because if people really want to talk about race, let's talk about it. But without a hitman agenda and inflammatory pictures. That was incredibly bad optics.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

78. ^^thank you, could not have stated it better^^ nt

[libdem4life]

90. I could not agree more. He spoke directly to police brutality, and at some length with Katie Couric

today.

What he doesn't "get" is the soundbite...the perky, nifty one-liner that people crave. That's much the state of our flip-flopping politicians...if you don't get too specific, then you can walk it back later. When he speaks of Human Rights, The People, The Middle Class...that's all of us and that has been his life purpose.

[aspirant]

11. Maybe it's time

that some of the Populist Black leaders and politicians come out and support Bernie

Why the silence when Bernie's principles will lift all Americans?

[BrotherIvan]

13. I'm not sure how it will go in terms of endorsements

I think that many people who are that high up are pretty entrenched in the money machine. They're not going to take a chance and rock the boat. But I do expect that labor unions, teachers unions, and other working groups should definitely back him. People are sort of watching and waiting before jumping in. But you will hear very few people in the real world claim that Clinton is better on race than Sanders. That notion is laughable.

[aspirant]

17. That notion is exactly the implication

Where is Cornell West, Moral Monday William Barber, Rep.Barbara Lee. Rep Conyers etc.

A revolution is all about rocking the boat and vote.

I think it's revealing that some Black leaders are not coming to stand at Bernie's side.

"very few people in the real world...." so I ask where are these people?

[BrotherIvan]

18. I'm hoping that Barbara Lee is his running mate!

It's early days. If Bernie can pull in an upset primary early on, people may get up the courage to jump on board.

[aspirant]

22. It's NOW

we need the courageous, the weaklings are just sheep that chirp into a vacuum.

If she wants the VP speak up and let the nation know it!!

[TBF]

30. I agree - right now he is just that crazy old socialist

If he could take Iowa or New Hampshire people will start paying attention. I have seen stats that African Americans are polling big for Hillary, as are Hispanics. But this has just started and we'll have to see where the unions come down. An endorsement from the AFL-CIO, for example, would be pivotal.

[Luminous Animal]

34. That is a lovely thought. Barbara Lee would be a fantastic choice.

[BrotherIvan]

36. Right?

Awesome and totally in line with Sanders message. Here is an event they worked together

http://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-and-congressman-bernie-sanders-join-forces-in-bay-area

But there is also another possibility out there...the Senator from MA who is working closely with him now. Shh!

[Luminous Animal]

38. Ah! I was at that event at the library!

[BrotherIvan]

43. How cool is that

And how jealous am I that you live there? I was in the SF area for 6 years and loved more than any place.

[Scootaloo]

51. Such endorsements usually wait for the whole thing to get underway

Sometimes not, of course. and sometimes endorsements change.

[merrily]

77. I am cognizant that Hillary is the party's choice, and that bucking the party is going to have

consequences for any Democratic politician who backs one of her opponents. So, I am not expecting a swarm of endorsements.

[aspirant]

14. Bernie can't be all to everyone

when he has just started his campaign.

If anyone on this thread believes that Bernie excludes blacks in his vision for American, they should take a right turn and exit this GROUP NOW.

This RW attack could only happen now before a true, principled coalition of all Americans come out to support Bernie.

We can only do this as a team, a big tent effort including all truthful. principled and "We The People" oriented Americans regardless of creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, beliefs etc.

[smokey nj]

15. Nobody on this thread believes that.

[aspirant]

20. I hope not,

this racist attack just strengthens my resolve.

[BrotherIvan]

16. I made this thread so people could really discuss the issue

Without the flamebait photos. If it is important to people, let's talk about it.

I found this graphic that goes to the point that many African Americans worry about economic issues just as much as whites. They want helathcare, financial security and a strong social safety net. The division created on DU is fiction. Every working class person needs those things, of every race and gender. That is what every person deserves.

[aspirant]

19. A quick question

"if he wants my vote" Does he have your vote now or are you on the fence until your 7 issues are specifically addressed?

[smokey nj]

21. BrotherIvan has been one of Bernie's most staunch supporters and defenders on DU.

He wandered into a shit storm last night to defend Bernie.

[BrotherIvan]

24. Thanks

I probably would have done the same for anyone, not just Bernie. That post was a bridge too far. Now the tribe is trying to walk it back. But plenty of people came to the same conclusion.

[smokey nj]

25. That post was disgusting, absolutely disgusting and the people who are defending it should hang

their heads in shame.

[BrotherIvan]

26. Well, thankfully there were only 20 people who did

And lots more who spoke up.

[aspirant]

29. Smokey;

I've been on the DU battlefields many times and sometimes I lose my compass bearings, so I return home to a safe haven to rejuvenate. I hope BrotherIvan is doing the same with a little help from his friends

[TBF]

32. BrotherIvan is progressive -

perhaps socialist. I don't like to hang labels on people but my interactions with him on DU have led me to believe he will certainly vote for Sanders.

[BrotherIvan]

37. I've never called myself either, maybe I have called myself a liberal

Mostly just tired of being lied to.

[TBF]

39. The label doesn't matter - it is the position people take on issues

that I tend to remember.

[BrotherIvan]

42. You have a good memory!

[BrotherIvan]

23. I think I might have confused you

I am trying to make a thread that talks about issues that are important to people. I have looked at Bernie's record and see that he is excellent on civil rights. I am trying to say that these issues are important to me too and asking that people discuss them. I am trying to see if people who say it is so crucial to them to speak up and discuss it in a civil way without horrible insinuations. I posted it in the Bernie Sanders group because it is a place that people can come and post if they have something constructive to say but not derail it.

[Mbrow]

27. BrotherIvan

I met Bernie about 30 years ago at a DSA meeting in San Diego. I've been a fan ever since, I know you don't know me from Adam but a hard search of his pass will find he is for 90-95% of the things that you seek. It is a hard thing to depend on the word of others especially on the internet so I urge everyone to just keep listening to Bernie speak and read some of the other OPs on DU. several people have answered the race thing already and many others as well. But no matter what happens I'm hoping Bernie can bring the big issues into the public eye.

[BrotherIvan]

40. Great post

I think he has a proven track record on these issues. It's just we've been having some horrible threads so I wanted to step back and say, hey, yes, these issues are important. Let's take the bullshit out and talk about them. Let's see if we can learn from each other. And maybe, just maybe, we can let our issues be known to the campaign too. Though I hope he never reads that other terrible thread.

[bravenak]

28. I agree. These issues are very important to me too.

I believe he will speak to that soon. Hopefully he will get more airtime. I'd like to see him go on sharpton and chat for a spell. I like the fact that Bernie answers questions straight up, no hedging. Refreshing in my opinion. I remember waiting for people to speak on Ferguson, and he certainly said his piece in what seemed to be a reasonable amount of time and spoke about the money we spend militarizing the police going to pay for jobs for the disadvantaged youth instead. That is exactly what I want to see. Money spent helping people instead of oppressing them. The issue is very close to me.

I hope he also comes out strongly against the drug war (he may have already, link for me please if you have something .

I know he is for a safety net, and I'd like to know what ge thinks about welfare reform and what he thinks would be a good solution to the increase in child poverty since welfare reform was enacted. And increase in benefits? End time limits? What about people with disabled children? How can we help them financially without shaming them?

And finally, what can we do to help provide jobs for people... How can we make it work and how can we pay. Lord knows we have enough money, what are we doing wrong? I know he can answer all of this and more, so That's what my main concerns are.


I have more but I don't wanna bore you all.

[BrotherIvan]

35. You are rocking it, but now I'm gonna bore you back

I totally agree, I want to see more and I hope Rev Al will have him on his show too to talk about these issues.

I have been trying to talk to some posters about the fact that access to quality education + higher education is so important to people of color and poor communities. I taught in a high school for last chance students in what we all affectionately termed "the ghetto." This was a city that in the 90s had the highest murder rate in the country and a population of about 250,000. I had bullet holes in the windows of my classroom. I had bangers and kids fresh out of juvie. I had students with kids, some with more than one. I had students that lived in a one bedroom apartment with over ten people, lots of that situation. (And my students were hanging with Snoop at the Starbucks which was hilarious) There were Latinos, African Americans, whites, Vietnamese, Korean, and Filipino all in one school.

My students didn't have a lot of options. Most of them were not going to college. They were either going to be working some minimum wage job or two or three for the rest of their lives if they went the straight route. The only recruiters who came to my school were the military and the cops. They know to feed on poor kids. Three students who had the grades to go to college but not the money, signed up for the military because they thought that was their only option. One we were able to talk out of it. That's when I realized that we do have a program for tax subsidized education and jobs, but the black and brown kids have to put their lives on the line to get it.

And my life, growing up just the next town over, was so different. I never questioned that I would go to college, that that was my path. I didn't have to worry about blocks being taken over by drug dealers and drive bys. And it was because my parents were educated where not a single student in my class had a parent that got more than a high school diploma and a majority of the parents never even went to high school. Parents' educational level is the strongest indicator for a child. These students didn't have any damn bootstraps.

So I want that for them. I want them to be able to have the choice if they want to make a better life and get a job that they can provide for themselves and their families. Not two or three jobs, one well-paying job. I want them not to have to choose between taking the baby to the doctor and paying rent. I don't want them to be so illiterate and ignorant that employers and cops take every advantage of them, which they do. That's part of social justice to me.

How about generational poverty? Isn't that just keeping people in the worst possible place? This graph should alarm just about anyone who cares about the black community. But sadly, not on DU as I have shared it a few time. The median household worth for black families is $11,000 ???? And we're not supposed to talk about economics???



On the drug war, Sanders is for decriminalization and medical marijuana. I looked up his current position and found this from his recent reddit AMA

[–]
In 2014 you expressed that the decriminalisation of recreational marijuana use is “not a major issue”, but also added that you would “look into it”.
The freedom to alter ones own state of consciousness, whilst doing no harm to others, is something that many people deem to be a basic human right. The prison-industrial complex, and pharmaceutical monopolies that have been erected around prohibition of consciousness altering, pain relieving, but otherwise benign drugs seems to be the epitome of what you stand against.
I’d imagine that you have refrained from speaking on this issue for fear of it being used as ammunition by your "opponents”, but could you update us on your position regarding the war on drugs?
Thanks!

[–]bernie-sanders[S]
Let me just say this -- the state of Vermont voted to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana and I support that. I have supported the use of medical marijuana. And when I was mayor of Burlington, in a city with a large population, I can tell you very few people were arrested for smoking marijuana. Our police had more important things to do.
Colorado has led the effort toward legalizing marijuana and I'm going to watch very closely to see the pluses and minuses of what they have done. I will have more to say about this issue within the coming months.

So not decisive but there is movement there.

On Welfare Reform, he voted against it in 1996 and from what I can find has voted very consistently to increase all assistance programs at every level. I can't find a good link that is exhaustive but I will keep looking.

On parents of children with a disability, it seems like he leads the charge any time Republicans want to get near it. There are lots of links through the years, this is the latest. So when he is talking about Social Security, he is also talking about disability benefits.

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/disability-benefit-cuts-loom

All of your questions are excellent and made me research it for myself. I don't want to make any assumptions about what someone supports. I could have been pretty confident and answered most of your questions with, "Socialism bro" But I don't think that is enough. These are serious and important issues so it's what we need to be discussing. That's how we learn. That's how I do anyway.

[bravenak]

46. Thank you.

This is what I was looking for. And I will be waiting with you to see where he is on the drug war and things as the cycle goes forward. I feel like I can live with much of this and that we can get more clarity as he develops an agenda. This was great.

[smokey nj]

47. Here's something on Bernie's stance on the war on drugs:

http://www.attn.com/stories/1551/bernie-sanders-stance-on-major-issues

During a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, Sanders noted the injustice of regular people being penalized for drug use while wealthier members of society often get away with similar offenses, "There is no question but that the rich and powerful live under a different system of justice than ordinary Americans. If you are a Wall Street executive who engaged in reckless and illegal behavior which helped crash the economy leading to massive unemployment and human suffering, your bank may have to pay a fine but nothing happens to you. If you're a kid smoking marijuana or snorting cocaine, you may end up in jail for years. The truth is that the billionaire class with all of its power and all of their lawyers can protect themselves very effectively from criminal prosecution."

[bravenak]

48. That is a very true point.

I've seen congressmen get probation for coke while other poor folks get years. I see the war on drugs as a war on the black and poor. Our system is rigged against those lacking funds.

[smokey nj]

49. Damn straight!

Here's something else I found:

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/10-crucial-issues-most-politicians-except-bernie-sanders-lie-about

9. Reforming U.S. Drug Laws

Sanders supports medical marijuana use, but is skeptical of the idea of legalizing hard drugs. But he has nevertheless long considered the war on drugs to be a colossal failure and believes the U.S. incarcerates way too many people for nonviolent drug offenses. Meanwhile, Clinton has, in recent interviews, said she finds it troubling that the U.S. now leads the world in mass incarceration. But as journalist Jeff Stein noted in a recent Salon article, President Bill Clinton did not roll back the war on drugs in the 1990s—he expanded it. “And he did it with his wife’s support,” Stein noted. Certainly, reforming U.S. drug policy needs to be a prominent issue in the 2016 race, and Sanders has no problem speaking out against the evils of the prison-industrial complex.

[bravenak]

50. That was a big blow to me.

When I was finally grown and I looked back and saw it for what it was I felt hurt. I loved Bill. I have no idea why he did not know how it would play out when things were already trending in that direction.
Now I look at the GEO Group, Correction Corporation, and these private prisons and see it as just a money scheme. We don't even bother to train prisoners for work when they get out with all that damn money. We don't rehabilitate. We just build more prisons to put the son's of the current prisoners into. I have known people to get busted jus to see a relative who is in jail. They will steal and get caught on purpose to see their dad. Sad.

[BrotherIvan]

53. It is a very important issue

It is locking people up for profit. It is taking away their lives for profit. It is not helping anyone but the people who are making money.

And here is is her flip flop on it

HILLARY CLINTO Three-strikes-and-you’re-out law

“We need more police, we need more and tougher prison sentences for repeat
offenders. The ‘three-strikes-and-you’re-out’ for violent offenders has to be part of
the plan. We need more prisons to keep violent offenders for as long as it takes to
keep them off the streets.”

Annual Women in Policing, August 10, 1994
(http://www.issues2000.org/Domestic/Hillary_Clinton_Crime.htm)

[bravenak]

56. It says for violent offenders.

What I saw them do is start using three strikes for all felonies. These policies always turn out far worse than they should. Other nations seem to be able to rehabilitate people, we totally just lock them up like animals.
She has a history of saying things like that, along with praising how many women wefare reform 'helped' get jobs. I have no idea why I should think she has changed when she never really says anything.

[BrotherIvan]

57. I know a 20yr old who was locked up and his third strike was riding a skateboard high

Not joking. So no, these laws apply to a lot more than violent offenders. And they all know it. They have to play to fearful people who want a tough on crime candidate. They don't have any real convictions.

[bravenak]

58. I agree.

I remember one guy got life for stealing a pizza or something stupid like that. It's on purpose. Some people are considered more valuable in jail than free. Kinda like slavery.

[BrotherIvan]

60. Exactly

The prison industrial complex is just as evil as the military one, and in some cases, the same thing. Evil.

[smokey nj]

63. Meanwhile Affluenza kid kills four people snd doesn't

serve a day. Oh, and he shoplifted the beer he got drunk on that night.

[smokey nj]

55. That's heartbreaking.

[bravenak]

59. I think so too.

Many expect to go to jail anyway. Sucks. No need for a system like this. It's shameful and we all know it. I wish we could fix it.

[smokey nj]

61. It's a disgrace and it's why I throw up in my mouth

whenever anyone starts talking jingoistic Land of the free bullshit.

[bravenak]

62. Lol! Me too.

[smokey nj]

86. Just saw this and thought of you immediately!

Bernie Sanders Pledges To End No Child Left Behind, Shut Down For-Profit Prisons

http://www.alternet.org/bernie-sanders-pledges-end-no-child-left-behind-shut-down-profit-prisons

I didn't copy and paste from the article because it was in a question and answer format and I wanted to avoid any copyright violations.

[bravenak]

87. Awesome, thank you.

On my way to read it.

[Gregorian]

88. Punishment is counterproductive. Everyone has potential

What I see with Bernie is the direction of his overall moral compass. This is what inspires me. With that direction of change, hopefully we can melt and change, even if it's slow. And lots will have to be slow, and that includes racism and bigotry.

I think America is so stuck on the notion of purity and sameness. I see in Bernie something fresh and good. He says "Brothers and sisters", which I find so comforting from a very basic level.

[Dems to Win]

31. Bernie does need to add to his agenda

I read through Bernie's 12 point agenda posted here by JackPine Radical and it sounded great. But a couple of posts by bigtree and others about POC concerns did get me to look at it again.

Bernie's agenda will definitely appeal to the Occupy Wall Street young people -- good job.

Bernie's agenda will fire up the Fight For $15 movement --cool.

Bernie's agenda will catch the attention of the Debt-Free Education and student loan forgiveness movement -- that's great.

But how will Bernie's agenda play with the #BlackLivesMatter crowd? Hmmmm. I do see a problem here. Nothing on Bernie's agenda addresses the bias and militarization of the police, which plays such a huge role in the lives of young POC. Even people lucky enough to have good jobs.

We need the #BlackLivesMatter movement as part of our coalition. I hope someone from Bernie's campaign is reading here and recognizes this gap, and fixes it.

Thank you for the post, BrotherIvan.

[TBF]

33. I hope they will do so -

they are new to this part of the game although he has been a senator for some time. I do think they sort of got out there and threw the hat out to see if anyone would throw a few quarters in. After the overwhelming support the first couple days Bernie must've said "ok, let's do this" and now they are trying to get everything ramped up. The website is improved, but needs more substance. However, we have to remember he is an independent now switching to run as a dem and presumably does not have the support of the DNC behind him. No big money at all - unlike other candidates. I'm actually impressed with what he's done so far given that his opponent has been working on this the past 8 years (albeit behind the scenes).

[BrotherIvan]

41. Exactly!

I see that his website is being updated and his first 12 point plan is now being called his "economic" plan. I hope that means he has more coming on his platform. Yes, he needs to bring PoC into his movement. And because he has a proven track record of supporting and fighting for these issues, it would be a real waste if he let the opportunity slip by.

We are at an urgent crisis right now with the police, that needs to be addressed IMMEDIATELY. And in this case, I think Bernie from his stump could push not only Hillary to the left, but Obama to the left! Get something done right now!! Stop people dying. That would be a candidate who shows that he is moving the country in the right direction even before the election. That would be so amazing.

[TM99]

44. While I may agree with you,

please don't let the very negative minority of virulent Clinton supporters push the reality of what is occurring.

Sanders speech was two days ago! He has a history of supporting every single one of your bullet points. As the time arises, he will address them.

If he suddenly comes out reactive to this bullshit racist meme and starts addressing them, it will look staged & disingenuous. This is one of our big problems with big-money candidates like Clinton. If she starts seeing negativity about herself or an issue in the news, a crack teams of political operatives makes sure she addresses it in her next staged photo-op. We know it is just lip-service given her record. It is all optics and no depth or substance.

Knowing that Sanders marched on Washington in the 1960's shows me that he is consistent on issues that face black Americans. When the time organically arises to address this, he will do so with actual facts and policies at hand. The same is true for LGBT issues. He voted against DADT and DOMA while Clinton was supporting both. He will address it, and when he does, it will be real not staged.

[BrotherIvan]

72. I very much agree with you

I think I made the thread so we could have the conversation amongst ourselves more than anything. And look, people are discussing the issue without the insanity of the 20 posters who throw firebombs into every thread. That is the point I would like to make as well, if people TRULY CARED about the issue, then they would want to discuss it and learn. But they don't. They are trying to score political points and exert control just as they always have in the few years I've been here. Same people.

[TM99]

75. Yes, I agree, it is the same small group of individuals.

I told another poster in another thread that Sanders' congruence and consistency on racial and civil rights issues gives me hope to actually trust him in sincerely and seriously addressing these concerns as his candidacy unfolds. It must go beyond primary optics in order to be real.

[BrotherIvan]

81. Well I guess for people who only see an issue as a checkmark

*Paid* tokens are just fine. And that shows just how deep the hypocrisy goes.

[RoccoR5955]

45. Listen to the speech again

I am sure that you will be surprised.
He did address many of these things.

[totodeinhere]

52. Bernie has been addressing those issues with passion all of his adult life and he will

continue to do so. But lets not just single out Bernie. I would rather that you say that you hope that all candidates will address those important issues.

[BrotherIvan]

54. Just trying to start a real discussion

There has been so many awful implications thrown around on DU, I wanted people to really discuss the issues. Like we're doing in this thread. No derailment, no snark and hurt feelings. It's what DU could be.

[smokey nj]

64. Bjorn Against posted a great thread in GD on this.

I'm on my phone, so I can't link to it. Yhe subject line reads"No other candidate has been more outspoken on civil rights than Bernie Sanders" or something very close to that.

[BrotherIvan]

65. I'll go check it out

There is a good one from bigtree too.

[Rhiannon12866]

67. Think it must be this one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026743489

[BrotherIvan]

69. Excellent

Well it seems there is some upside to the firestorm. At least people are learning about Bernie's very strong record on civil rights. Of course, certain posters are claiming that it's not enough, but it certainly is head and shoulders above any other candidate in the race.

[Rhiannon12866]

70. He attended the march in Selma, what more could anyone ask for??

And that was because he wanted to, not part of his campaign. I think that proves that he walks the walk...

[Rhiannon12866]

71. And another thing... LOL.

I think many people here don't know a whole lot about Vermont. It's a small state and if you're anywhere but in the Northeast it's easy to overlook. I'm in NE New York, not all that far from the Vermont border, spent summers there when I was a kid and still have friends there.

Vermont may not be a particularly diverse state, but that doesn't mean they don't embrace liberal values and Bernie Sanders represents those beliefs. The couple who ran the camp I attended for many years were a good example. I wasn't all that aware of it as a kid, but I remember they were huge Eugene McCarthy supporters and I know what that means now.

The friends who I grew up with there have all turned out to be liberals - like me. Several of them do good works while I belong to DU, LOL. My friend who lives there permanently now told me that she often attends Bernie Sanders fundraisers and I asked her to please invite me to the next one - and I think that was in 2013...

That said, I don't think Bernie Sanders is likely to let us down on the issues. He has a strong record that speaks for itself. The only obstacle we're facing is educating voters...

[BrotherIvan]

74. I hope the excitement and activism keep going and build and build

Sabrina posted the poll on DKos and it was the same makeup DU has 90% Sanders to 10% HRC. I found that very hopeful because what it means is that the most involved and active people are supporting Bernie. That army of volunteers and people talking about him can make his money spread very far. I hope the campaign comes up with a brilliant plan for how to mobilize all those people.

[Cheese Sandwich]

66. Yeah me too. I also think Wall Street crime targets black people.

And a trade deal that ships jobs overseas is an attack on black people in cities like Detroit and Cleveland. Closing 50 public schools in Chicago is a racist attack. Turning off the water in Detroit is a racist attack.

Yes it's true Bernie needs to give more attention to race issues, especially the police problem and the prison problem. And I'm sure he will.

At the same time we should see that many of these so-called "economic issues" are racist policies with racist outcomes.

[BrotherIvan]

68. Agreed

I posted to graphics in this thread showing economic issues are number one in the black community. People need jobs, education, healthcare, etc. African Americans do face discrimination and oppression by the police which is terrorizing the entire country. We need to make sure laws against discrimination are strictly enforced. But one of the biggest ways is by tackling poverty which is generational. We have areas of cities where there are no jobs, no healthy food, no places for kids to play outside. All of that and more is important to this country.

And I see Bernie Sanders as the only one who is offering a new (some might call it old) VISION for how this country works. He wants to change the course of unfairness and inequality immediately, not the same thing we have now. That is very important to understand and I think many here do not understand it. If we started talking about how the justice system works and that no one should be above the law if you are a banker or a war criminal, we can talk at the same time about incarceration for nonviolent crimes. But without someone willing to change the very fabric of the political landscape, or at least to talk about it and to try, we are going to keep going the same way fast. NOTHING will change if we elect a center-right moderate, and only less than a Republican.

[Cheese Sandwich]

73. Yes he's the only one running with a serious vision about ending poverty for good.

Helping workers become the owners of their workplaces is an anti-racist program.

Taxing Wall Street to pay for college, that is another anti-racist program.

As long as we have an extremely unequal society the powerless people will be preyed on by various scumbags like cops, the prisons system, banks, various corporations, etc. The system of racism and mass incarceration is so entrenched I don't see how we can end it without a mass popular movement. Bernie is the lead organizer right now.

I would like to see him talk about #blackLivesMatter and what that means, and why it's important.

[merrily]

76. Which candidate for POTUS do you think has been better on race than Bernie?

Anyone can speak about it. The man got arrested in civil rights demonstrations when that could have gotten him a bullet in the head.

[historylovr]

79. He spoke about police brutality last night and what he'd like to do about it.

Granted, it was in response to a question and not part of his stump speech, but his answers again cheered the crowd and the young African American woman who asked about it seemed pleased. He said he would like to implement community policing nationwide, with police as public servants, that he would like to end the militarization of police, and he said that most importantly, police must be held accountable.

He's been an honorary member of the Black Caucus, which I learned last night, so it's a good bet he's exposed to a lot of these issues, and he has a good track record on civil rights. I'm sure that he'll be asked more about it as time goes on, so I hope that he'll start talking about it more. I do get the feeling though, that with so many things to fix in this country, he's focused on the one that might build momentum toward fixing the others.

[BrotherIvan]

80. Would you have a link to video or a story?

I think that would make a great OP because that is exactly what people are wanting to know!

[historylovr]

82. Here's a link to a story about the event.

http://kwqc.com/2015/05/28/bernie-sanders-packs-town-hall-in-davenport/

I'll see if I can find footage about the Q & A. I wish I'd taken video, but my cell's resolution isn't that great.

[BrotherIvan]

83. You were at the event?

Love to hear how it went.

[historylovr]

84. Yes.

The room was already close to half-full by the time my oldest daughter and I got there, about half an hour before it was supposed to start. You could feel the excitement and energy just vibrating in there already. More people kept coming in. And more. It got so crowded they decided to take down the room partition and bring in more chairs. According to news reports we had almost 600 people, young, old, and in between--union people, teachers, students, healthcare workers, unemployed, retirees, etc. Bernie was late arriving because of a flight delay, but no one seemed to mind, and it worked out well anyway with getting people a place to sit. We joked about the dismal turnout the Republicans had had that day compared to this. (Santorum and Paul were also in town.)

Twenty minutes after he was supposed to start, Bernie and his wife arrived to a standing ovation and chants of, "Bernie! Bernie!" My daughter and I got to shake hands with him as he worked his way to the podium. He was surprised at the crowd, joking that he'd been told to expect about 300 and it looked like he and his wife were spending their twenty-seventh wedding anniversary with half of Iowa.

He gave his stump speech, having to pause several times for loud applause and more standing ovations, and some "Boo's" when he mentioned the Koch brothers. To his right were three college students, one female and two males, one of whom was African American. They talked about the debt they faced upon graduation. The young AA student had to stop a couple times for applause. He was really good. Finally Bernie spoke about growing up poor.

Then he opened up the floor for the Q & A. Three lines formed and he began taking questions. Some were downright out of left field, ie., "What will you do about corporations ripping off online gamblers?" to rambling, almost incoherent exhortations to be aware and check out libertarian sites (Bernie's expressions were priceless.) to good questions about expanding Social Security, No Child Left Behind (He wants to end it.) to the final one about police brutality.

Afterwards I heard murmurs about how authentic he seems, how glad they were to be there and hear someone who actually answered questions, and so forth. Bernie stuck around and young people crowded in for pictures. (My daughter has three with him because I wasn't sure what I was doing with her iPod camera! lol)

[BrotherIvan]

85. You should make that an OP in the group

Don't want people to miss it. It sounds so...real. Like he didn't have paid actors up there? He made funny faces when people were rambling? Oh my! I think his humor will be a good asset as people will be surprised by it. That sounds like a great event. As an Iowan, you could really help him stay in the race with a major primary upset. Keep us posted on what you hear/see. If Iowans don't go for straight talk, I would be very surprised.

[historylovr]

89. Thank you, BrotherIvan.

I finally was able to get back on and post. I plan to do all I can. I really like his stance on issues and his straight-forward no-nonsense attitude and way of doing things.

Right? I'm hoping we'll make up for sending that Ernst character to the Senate. UGH