Here's Bernie speaking today on systemic racism, police reform, 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.

[JoePhilly]

1. I think everyone expected Bernie to figure this out ...

.... I know I did (and said so in other threads) ... the real question is whether his loudest supporters will figure it out.

[vorgan24]

2. To little to late

[JI7]

3. nope , this shows he is listening to voters

just 2 posts and dumping on someone for speaking about important issues ?

[LWolf]

5. Yet more, and before others. nt

[tularetom]

6. I think you meant "too little, too late"

But regardless, you do realize that the election is November 8, 2016, which is by my quick calculation, 475 days from now. It's hardly "to late" for anything.

[ram2008]

8. You can't be serious

The first primary is FIVE months from now. Get a grip.

[cprise]

10. "Late?" Who is late?? -eom

[MisterP]

11. especially after all the welfare reform, outsourcing, drug wars, regular wars, police militarization

and scads and scads of punitive new criteria piled on top of all those that he's consistently supported
oh, wait ...

[LWolf]

4. He was open and straightforward

on the issues. He acknowledged the work he has to do to reach out to PoC.

I believe he'll get support as he does that work.

[historylovr]

7. K & R

[bettyellen]

9. Awesome he is listening now.