2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: What Bernie said in June of this year about Black Lives Matter. Did the hecklers know? [View all]Maedhros
(10,007 posts)It is being demanded that Bernie speak frankly and directly about police brutality that targets black Americans - and when multiple examples are presented of Bernie doing just that, those criticizing Bernie won't give him an iota of credit. When you try and point out the many ways in which Bernie has spoken to and legislated for the need for racial equality, you are attacked.
The bottom line truth of the matter is this: there is absolutely nothing Sanders can say or do to appease his critics on this score. Given that, I cannot lend any credence to his critics.
The Black Lives Matter movement is important, and they should be heard - more importantly, people in power should take steps right now to address their concerns. But Bernie Sanders is not deserving of the ire directed his way. He's being used as a stand-in for Business-As-Usual Political Culture - and it is right and good that thus culture be soundly criticized - but Bernie is not "business-as-usual". That would be the front-runner.