Bernie speaking today on institutionalized racism, Black Lives Matter, and criminal justice reform

[gobears10]

Here's Bernie speaking today on anti-black racism, law enforcement reform, and criminal justice reform. He explicitly expresses his views about structural racism, and acknowledges the harsh reality that economic reforms will not end all of the institutional factors perpetuating racism. Here, he highlights the destructive nature of mass incarceration, jailing people for non-violent crimes (such as drug use), addressing mandatory minimums, police militarization, and aggressive policing against people of color in which they are harassed or shot. He explicitly and bluntly states that he doubts that if a middle-class white women were pulled over for a minor traffic violation, she would be treated the same way as Sandra Bland.

I hope that this will dispel the unfounded critiques of Bernie Sanders that he is tone-deaf or has a blind-spot on race, and that he merely views racism as a symptom of broader economic inequality. He's not a class-reductionist. His progressivism is absolutely intersectional. He fully acknowledges that systemic, institutionalized racism is a huge problem in its own right, but further argues that racial justice must be melded with economic justice to truly uplift marginalized communities of color. Both are extremely important and relevant, and we can't have one without the other.

This should reveal to anyone who thinks Bernie's not listening that he is. And for those with any glimmer of a doubt they need to research his record. He may come from a largely white state, but his heart is with workers of every race and gender. He's been consistent in his views on Civil Rights for over 50 years.

[Scootaloo]

1. K&R

[daleanime]

2. K&R.....

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. "He's been consistent in his views on Civil Rights for over 50 years."

[daleanime]

5. He hasn't?

[historylovr]

4. They say something has to be repeated several times to sink into people's brains

so I'm kicking again.

[appalachiablue]

6. K & R. A Million! Well said. Sanders has been there all along, despite recent storm motives.

Sanders today with Rep. Ellison and other progressive Congress members Rally for $15 Minimum Wage at the Capitol surrounded by federal contract workers, Wed. July 22, 2015.

CNN, "Sanders Minimum Wage Rally" & *2 VIDEOs on his Surge, New Hampshire Only 8 Point Gap from a new poll.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/politics/bernie-sanders-minimum-wage-rally/index.html

[panfluteman]

7. Bounce Back, Bernie!!! Way to Go!!!

I was so worried that the whole Netroots Black Lives Matter incident would sink his campaign, but I'm so glad to see that Bernie Sanders, with his feisty Aries Moon, is back up on his feet and is continuing the fight for racial justice and equality with renewed vigor and dedication. Way to go, Bernie! Show the Black Lives Matter people what a true friend they have in YOU!!! And also, connect them with the larger picture that is the whole core message of your campaign: that we can't have real racial, ethnic or social justice until we start to correct the huge economic injustices and inequalities that plague our democracy. This is my ardent post-Netroots prayer for Bernie.

I grew up in Japan, and in Japan, there were rotund little papier mache statues of Bodhidharma, which were weighted on the bottom. You knocked the Daruma, or Bodhidharma, statue over, and he rolled right back to an upright position. So, no matter how many times Bodhidharma is knocked over, he always rolls back to stand on his feet just one more time!