The 'Establishment' Slam Against Black Legislators Suppporting Hillary Clinton Is Clueless

[bigtree]

...not to mention self-defeating and offensive.

I've seen more than a few snide references to black politicians expressing support for Hillary Clinton's campaign as 'establishment,' as if that defines their public service. The 'political establishment' they belong to is vital to the black community.

For decades, blacks had no seat at the political table, and I would be surprised (maybe not) to find suggestions here that these black legislators shouldn't hold and exercise their political clout in support of those who they feel would advance the issues and concerns of their constituency. Would critics rather they were outsiders to the political process again?

When I was a young adult, there were just a couple black legislators in Congress. I still recall the mere handful of blacks I found in Congress when I first explored the Capitol. I remember seeing the tall head of Rep. Ron Dellums, ever present on the House floor, and imagining that there were many more like him in the wings. It wasn't until 1990, though, that we actually saw a significant influx of minorities elected to Congress, enabled by the 1990 census Democrats fought to reform and manage (along with their fight for an extension of the Voting Rights Act which Bush I vetoed five times before trading his signature for votes for Clarance Thomas) which allowed court-ordered redistricting to double the number of districts with black majorities.

The gains blacks have made in our political institutions have not kept pace with even the incremental gains which have occurred in the workplace, for example. We may well have an abundance of black CEOs, military officers, business owners, doctors, lawyers and other professionals. However, Americans have yet to support and establish blacks in our political institutions with a regularity we could celebrate as 'colorblindness.' And, to be fair, not even many blacks would likely agree that we've moved past a point where race should be highlighted (if not overtly emphasized), in our political deliberations and considerations.

Reducing these important and principled black legislators to targets in an opportunistic Sanders 'revolution' is self-defeating, short-sighted, and an amazing offense to legislators like John Lewis and Rep. Clyburn and their vital and accomplished histories.

[bigtree]

1. kick

[oasis]

2. Excellent OP. kick and rec.

[bigtree]

3. thanks, oasis!

[DemocraticSocialist8]

4. Sorry to say, but as a Black person and Bernie supporter I'd agree many of them ARE establishment

not all are. I think some just follow the group. However when you back a candidate that wants to maintain the agenda that has damaged your community the most...then yea...you're helping to continue to prop up the status quo and therefore the current political establishment system that is in place that everyone in those positions benefits from. It's nothing to be offended by, it's just the truth.

[bigtree]

12. calling them 'establishment' doesn't define them

...outside of recognizing they've finally achieved a seat at the political table for the people they represent.

In Rep. Jim Clyburn's case, his elevation to the upper ranks of the Democratic leadership in Congress is an advantage for his majority black district which, like many black constituencies, is often overlooked in the political process.

You may well view his association in the party as a negative, but you'd be hard-pressed to find his record and actions out of line with any progressive agenda, including the issues and ideals which Sanders represents on the campaign trail.

[Bluenorthwest]

46. Jim Clyburn voted for DOMA and you claim that is not out of lne with progressive values?

You do not get it. It is that simple. Anyone who says anti gay laws are part of the progressive agenda is not a progressive but a conservative out to push us to the right.

I'm already not voting for your candidate because she opposed equality for 20 years. Now you demand that those who voted along with that anti equality view are to be lauded as progressives without fault?
You so do not get it.

Not going to vote for the candidate who preached against civil rights for my community for 20 years. Not going to happen. And this routine where you build alters to those who joined that opposition to human rights is not helping.

Clyburn and Lewis, not the same person at all.

Lewis to Clyburn and other DOMA supporters: “Why do you want to destroy the love they hold in their hearts? Why do you want to crush their hopes, their dreams, their unions, their aspirations? We are talking about human beings, people like you.”

Not the same man.

[bigtree]

48. yes he has served and voted for progressive issues

...as well as represented his community. You don't seem to know much beyond the one issue.

He's reversed his position on same sex marriages and seeks a national recognition of marriage equality.

I'm thinking silence from you for people supporting Sanders who supported DOMA. Can't really tell, but all you've done so far is run down Hillary supporters.

[DemocraticSocialist8]

49. Having a "seat at the table" hasn't helped the majority of Blacks

It HAS helped a small handful get paid though.

[bigtree]

50. that's the most ignorant comment yet

...more obstruction and your statement could become sage.

[angel123]

51. Black politicians as establishment.

Sorry, that is an immature epithet for any black politician not supporting Sanders. Get over it! I am less than impressed by Bernie, and his supporters have a lot to do with it. Such disregard for people who have spent a lifetime of working for civil rights is beyond my understanding.

[uponit7771]

5. Its funny how most if not ALL of the marginalized are now the "establishment". The Revolution is a

... temper tantrum of the true establishment cause they have to cede power due to the marginalized's numbers

[Aerows]

7. All Bernie Sanders supporters and campaign members need to do

to make Hillary look clueless, is just stand back, take the high road and watch her campaign self-destruct.

If you want to fuss at someone, I recommend directing it towards the person that is sabotaging the Clinton campaign.

That person is Hillary.

[uponit7771]

8. Self destruct = lost PoC in IA by 25% after spending 3 months there, so the condescending excuse

... that PoC don't know him is bunk.

He even lost PoC in NH by 2%... VT is next door...

Self destruct is what happened when Sanders associated his campaign with someone who calls the first black president "n-word-izzed"...

All Hillary has to do is play commercial after commercial with West stumping for Sanders who known in black politico to be a hateful and spiteful Obama hater.

Again, the "revolution" looks to be more like a temper tantrum of the true establishment in the DNC cause they have to cede power to the marginalized

[Aerows]

10. NV is coming up on the 20th.

I'll refrain from rebuttal of this post until then.

I predict a very interesting Saturday night, and I'm not talking about SNL.

See you on Saturday!

[uponit7771]

13. Me too, he'll lose PoC there too ... there's not a state where's he's leading... do you get it...

.. the people who are marginalized the most are for Hillary.

Blacks, gays, Hispanics, non white poor, non white millennials and women

Who's that leave for Sanders...

The establishment...

The very people the "revolution" is supposed to reach are the people who are leaning towards HRC.

[Aerows]

14. Hmm.

I'm a gay woman. I support Bernie Sanders.

Tell me who I will vote for, again?

It ticks me off when people assert that they know who I will vote for based upon demographics instead of just asking me.

In any case, let's see where we are on Saturday evening

[uponit7771]

15. The post was about national numbers not about you, I don't see how national majorities of

... the marginalized somehow translates into what you will or wont do.

I dont' have time to personalize something that doesn't need to be personalized

[Aerows]

16. "I don't have time to personalize something that doesn't need to be personalized"

^ take a look at that statement ^

You made it.

Read it a few times.

[uponit7771]

17. Polling numbers are somehow now representative of what individuals do? Really??!!? Either

...way, the marginalized nationally... including lgbt community (not just you) ... lean towards HRC.

Most revolutions include the marginalized... not the establishment

[Live and Learn]

20. You are in for a big surprise. None of those groups feels likes Clinton represents them,

nor do they feel they owe her anything.

[uponit7771]

22. Strawman, never said they did... and I don't read anything that says the did either...

.. just HRC has been there... imperfectly so.... while Sanders is just coming out of VT asking for support 2 weeks before he needs them.

[Live and Learn]

30. Do you even know the meaning of a strawman logic argument?

It doesn't appear so.

[uponit7771]

40. Yes, when someone basically puts words in another's mouth then argues against those words...

.. like you did intimating what those groups felt like in regards to Clinton.

Right now Sanders groups have to use strawmen arguments because people are asking for specifics and a track record and Sanders camp has very few to none of these.

Ask the avg online advocate of examples of Sanders "revolution" in the past when it comes to single payer even in his own state they'll cut and run...

or blame the legislation there as if there wont be any in Washington to deal with

Just for example

[Live and Learn]

42. False premise. nt

[Number23]

18. "The Revolution is a temper tantrum" That is post of the freaking year right there

[uponit7771]

23. Its a microcosm of what's to come n the US ... the "establishments" power is being challenged by the

... marginalized

... and the polling numbers bear this out.

They mad...

[bravenak]

27. Damn straight!!! You can tell by the petulance.

[Live and Learn]

21. Wow, I can't believe you said that. You haven't seen anything yet. And this post will be remembered.

[uponit7771]

24. We'll see...

[Live and Learn]

25. I know. nt

[Aerows]

6. I'd like to interject here

that Hillary's campaign and her advisers are making her look clueless.

Bernie and his supporters don't need to lift a finger - she does it all by herself.

[bigtree]

9. that zoomed right past my point

...and didn't address the the issue of the 'establishment' slam, at all.

[Aerows]

11. I'm waiting

for Saturday evening. I think NV will be interesting.

[aquart]

26. And Bernie would NEVER say, "Let's all vote for a man." He never would.

[Live and Learn]

31. +10,000 nt

[oasis]

19. Kick

[bravenak]

28. VERY TRUE!!!

It's not only black legislators that are marginalized and dismissed. It was Black Lives Matter too. And many more.

[bigtree]

34. new poster says

"Black legislators are just as much a part of the corrupt establishment as Hillary is."

That's some mighty despicable slander, stranger...unless you mean the same institution Sanders has been associated with (voted with over 98% of the time).

[Live and Learn]

33. Marginalized equals anyone earning not currently earning at least $250,000.

Why are you selling all groups out that are marginalized these days? I have a feeling it is because you have been feeling marginalized for even longer and welcome having more join you. If so, that is a poor reason.

[bravenak]

36. Bull

[Live and Learn]

37. Truth!!

[bravenak]

38. Oh good god.

[Live and Learn]

39. What does God have to do with it? nt

[Empowerer]

41. Beautifully said. Thank you!

Blacks have been marginalized and excluded for centuries, and then the minute any of us manage to squeeze in the door, we are accused of being "establishment."

Unlike white folks, black folks and women don't have the luxury of being "anti-establishment," standing outside the room, railing and shaking our fists at the door, knowing that the room, the house and the whole damned neighborhood were built for us and are filled with people doing our bidding and protecting our interests, even as we yell at them about how we're going to blow the house down.

[firebrand80]

43. The Blackstablishment nt

[Bluenorthwest]

45. Representative Clyburn voted for DOMA to deny civil rights to millions of Americans. Establishment.

Last edited Fri Feb 19, 2016, 09:26 AM - Edit history (1)

John Lewis on the other hand asked DOMA voters like Clyburn this: “Why do you want to destroy the love they hold in their hearts? Why do you want to crush their hopes, their dreams, their unions, their aspirations? We are talking about human beings, people like you.”

You are claiming both actions amount to the same reputation and I strongly disagree. To you that DOMA vote is not even worth noting. I reject that exclusionary thinking.

[bigtree]

47. I'd consider his entire record of service

...as others will.

May 14, 2012

Clyburn seeks 'national policy' legalizing same-sex marriages

Rep. James Clyburn, the House Democrats’ third-ranking leader, said on MSNBC’s Daily Rundown Monday that the question of legal recognition of marriage between same-sex couples should not be left to state laws, but instead ought to be decided at the national level, a position that puts him at odds with President Barack Obama.

Clyburn told NBC’s Chuck Todd, “If we consider this to be a civil right, and I do, I don’t think civil rights ought to be left up to a state-by-state approach. I think we should have a national policy on this.”

But the South Carolina Democrat did not explain how such a national policy might be enacted and what route he’d advocate to reach his goal.

Thirty-eight states -- including Clyburn’s own -- have adopted prohibitions of same-sex marriage. Twenty-nine states -- including South Carolina and the 2012 battleground states of Colorado, Ohio, Florida, Nevada, and Virginia -- have provisions in their state constitutions defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The first step in the direction of a national policy of legal recognition of same-sex marriages, as Clyburn is seeking, would need to be congressional repeal of – or a Supreme Court decision invalidating --the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton. (Clyburn voted for DOMA in 1996, as did most other House Democrats.)

http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/05/14/11699232-clyburn-seeks-national-policy-legalizing-same-sex-marriages?lite