The Neverending Tone Deafness of Bernie Sanders

[rbrnmw]

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/25/1491492/-The-Neverending-Tone-Deafness-of-Bernie-Sanders?_=2016-02-25T17:16:19-08:00

The Neverending Tone Deafness of Bernie Sanders

By Bravenak
Thursday Feb 25, 2016 · 8:07 PM EST

?1456444295
How tone deaf is Bernie Sanders on race? If we look back through his history in government, we find a much different Bernie than we would find in 1968. Is it his time living in mostly white Vermont that has affected his ability to discuss race in a clear and coherent manner? Or is it the fact that he sees race as a wedge issue, something that distracts from his all important theme of economic inequality? In my opinion, it is a combination of many elements that contribute to his stubborn attachment to shifting from race to poverty, without even demonstrating the shallowest understanding of the intersections that separate them.

We are not all poor. We are not all on welfare. We are not all in jail. So why does Bernie Sanders always pivot from matters of race to matters of poverty and incarceration? Yes, we know they are connected, but they are not the SAME THING. We all know that there are many disparities between the races in almost every walk of life, but what we need in a leader is someone who shows that they can engage us on issues and has a genuine interest in our issues. From OUR perspective.

Let's discuss a few moments of his absolute tone deafness in dealing with black americans. At the Race Forum, Bernie was addressed by a woman whose son was dealing with lung issues from the garbage plant burning near her home. She was visibly frustrated, and accused him of not being able to say 'Black'. Did he empathize? Sympathize? Discuss her son? No! He yelled out, "I said black FIFTY TIMES!", and then proceeded to discuss poverty with this middle class black business owner who wanted to discuss environmental racism. He actually told her what they were GOING to discuss. I suppose he has good reason but, I have no idea how his answer had anything to do with her questions or comments.

more at link

[brer cat]

1. Excellent!

well written and on point. K&R

[Cha]

2. Mahalo for posting bravenak's diary @kos in the AA Group, rbr!

Good to hear her voice on what she thinks about sanders' approach to these vital issues.. it's imporant to have different perspectives.

Brilliant brave, Thank you!

[JI7]

3. Sanders would have done better with the minority vote with bravenak advising him

he wouldn't have won it but he would have gained a lot more than he will.

[rbrnmw]

4. damn straight

[Cha]

10. She would have advised against cornel west and killer mike.. wonder whose brilliant idea

that was?

[Number23]

24. Hell yes

[betsuni]

5. MrWendel posted this in GD-P and it was hidden!

Would like to see the stupid reason why.

[Cha]

11. It just survived a jury in Hill's Group. the alerter lied in the comments.

[randys1]

20. That is obscene, there is no reason to be here anymore, why do I stay?

[SusanCalvin]

23. I am so tired of this.

Some Bernie "supporters" are not doing him any favors, said the broken record...

[Ghost Dog]

7. Racism as a factor in environmental social segregation

should certainly be acknowledged and addressed, as a race issue in the USA. Such segregation is, surely, and has been everywhere throughout history, essentially a socio-economic phenomenom. Where racism and xenophobia are factors they need to be recognised and debated as such.

Economic and environmental issues also need to be discussed as such.

Environmental racism is placement of low-income or minority communities in proximity of environmentally hazardous or degraded environments, such as toxic waste, pollution and urban decay. While there are competing views as to an exact definition, the interplay between environmental issues and social indicators are key to its understanding.

The primary contention issue in the definition is intent. Some definitions hold that only intentional discrimination against minorities in issues regarding the environment is what constitutes environmental racism, while others focus on the presence of unfavorable environmental conditions for minorities, intentional or not. A significant factor in creation of effective environmental segregation is the fact that low-income communities lack the organization and political power to resist introduction of dangerous technologies, as well as greater mobility of richer citizens away from areas falling into industrial and environmental decline...

/... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_racism

[stonecutter357]

8. K&R!

[Starry Messenger]

9. K&R

[GusBob]

12. Bravo for bravenak!

WTG!

[mcar]

13. Happy to rec this!

[Hortensis]

14. That post in the Hillary Group was also alerted -- but left.

[rbrnmw]

15. this was alerted and left too

[Hortensis]

16. Someone runs around checking all forums?

Why can't these groups override alerts from outsiders?

[rbrnmw]

17. they are trying to luck out and get a post hidden

I think this whole jury nonsense is totally out of hand

[wildeyed]

18. They are still trying to silence b.

Great post!

[Cha]

26. Good to know! I figured it would be alerted on.. they can't handle straight up.

[ismnotwasm]

19. K&R

[Kind of Blue]

21. Kicking! Thanks, Bravenak!

They can try to silence the messenger but Never Ever the message.

[SidDithers]

22. DU rec for all kinds of reasons...nt

Sid

[Number23]

25. K&R for bravenak and for BREAKING IT DOWN

Which is exactly what my girl did in this piece. This line in particular is devastating:

He yelled out, "I said black FIFTY TIMES!", and then proceeded to discuss poverty with this middle class black business owner who wanted to discuss environmental racism.

[kwassa]

27. Fantastic, Bravenak! Write on!

[emulatorloo]

28. K&R and thanks for the link

Straight talk from Bravenak.

[OneGrassRoot]

29. K&R n/t