2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: POC aren't buying the "Bernie's been fighting for you all his life so you should vote for him" claim [View all]EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)This is a very thoughtful analysis.
I think you're right that he did not do a good job of articulating his diagnosis and remedy. But layered on that is, in my opinion, a failure to listen to the people he is trying to convince, but instead he insisted on telling them what he wants them to know without showing a real interest in better understanding their interests, needs and perspectives. This failure makes it difficult to shape a message that resonates with that audience. For example, his mantra of "millionaires and billionaires" just doesn't resonate with most black folks I know who see racial oppression woven throughout society, not just coming from the upper 1%. Railing about millionaires and billionaires just does respond to the very real concerns of the black community.
But even in this, Bernie has always been respectful and dignified in his manner and approach. Unfortunately, this can't be said for many of his supporters who have turned off countless people of color with their rude, condescending and often bullying attitude and behavior.
It's unfortunate that more of his supporters haven't been as thoughtful as you.