African American
In reply to the discussion: Ta-Nehisi Coates, Bernie Sanders, and Reparations [View all]nyabingi
(1,145 posts)really need to be honest about what and who Bernie Sanders really is and not let the words "democratic socialist" confuse them.
Bernie's ideas, in my opinion, are not really what I'd consider radical ones at all, especially for a person who labels themselves a socialist. Things like universal healthcare, heavier regulations on financial institutions, a more people-centered outlook in terms of what is being presented as legislation, etc., are not really that radical and are not beyond the realm of feasibility in terms of seeing them passed into law, especially if Washington politicians are receiving considerable pressure from the public. Bernie is neither a leftist or a Black nationalist and he really hasn't presented himself as such. In fact, Bernie's understanding of foreign events and the United States' role in the world is pretty center to center-right because he's not fundamentally against the idea of militarism and freedom for peoples living under the shadow of the Pentagon. He's not a radical, period.
I think Mr. Coates understands very well that Bernie is not a "let's talk about reparations" leftist just as he probably understands that Bernie is not a "let's support the BDS movement" supporter in terms of Israel (things people who are actually "radical" would have no problem supporting). Coates is using Bernie's self-identification of "socialist" as an excuse to hold him to a standard he hasn't required of other people running.