So...what do we do to improve AA vote share from here on out?

[Ken Burch]

We need to be able to demonstrate at least some credibility among AA voters(and other POC)votes in states like California and New York.

Obviously, even allowing for the effectiveness of the slander campaign about Bernie and race, there are things we could change.

What thoughts does anybody here have about that?

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

1. Maybe stop trying so hard. It comes off as desparate.

His record says who he is. Just GOTV.

[Rebkeh]

8. Not trying hard enough comes off as indifferent

It's a delicate balance but authenticity is key. We can sense sincerity.

Just be real.

[Ken Burch]

14. OK.

What, in this case, would that mean, as you see it?

[Rebkeh]

22. don't pander

Honestly ... if you have done the internal work of getting through biases, prejudices and owning privilege, it will show.

Sincerity cannot be faked. Don't "sell" ... just inform and leave people to make their own decisions.

It takes time to build trust but because we don't have time, be authentic and admit mistakes if you make them - we all make them.

[femmedem]

55. Thank you. I think you are correct. n/t

[noiretextatique]

2. #1...stop listening to hillary supporters

#2 i am reaching out to my friends and family on facebook. also posting articles from AAs for bernie on my page. and posting non-kisass articles about HRC

[jalan48]

3. Stick to the issues.

People have a right to think, act and vote any way they like. I think Bernie is the best on most of the issues and that's why I support him. My understanding is that he has more appeal to younger POC (all younger people for that matter). To me that's a great thing-it's our future.

[noiretextatique]

19. and expose HRC

i am posting an article tonight about her role in the honduras coup.

[appalachiablue]

4. Get his surrogates out more, on local radio, anything. I would love to see a TV

ad or video focusing on notable supporters of all backgrounds- Harry Belafonte, Nina Turner, Mark Ruffalo, Spike Lee, Killer Mike and others. Now is the time. So far on late night Seth Meyers has treated Bernie well, Jimmy Kimmel interviewed Bill Maher a bit ago who was very favorable.

[noiretextatique]

12. Rapper T.I. just endorsed Bernie

he is very popular. the campaign should enlist him to do some outreach.

[appalachiablue]

16. More good news.

[TM99]

5. For one, let's stop talking about it and posting thread after thread about it.

Sanders is not one to pander. Why should we supporters do so as well.

There is excellent information out there on what Clinton has done to harm the AA community. There is excellent information out there on Sanders support for justice reform and economic equality. There are plenty of AA surrogates and supporters that are going state to state to discuss the issues with those that will listen.

I know that part of the reason this is happening is that the Brockian rat-fuckings are effective. How many AA's truly know Sanders record on civil rights after Lewis implied he wasn't involved in the 1960's but the Clintons were and Capeheart flat out lied that photos of Sanders at protests in Chicago in the 1960's were someone else? How do you come back from that and then convince more today that your positions and policies are the best?

Clinton is one to always pander. For fuck's sake there are photos of her praying with all of those AA ministers in South Carolina. Has anyone bothered to ask how many of those southern preachers support gay marriage? We learned in CA with Prop 8 and with Obama that AA's were and are still very slow to come to LGBT civil rights.

Sanders won't do that shit. He won't go to a prayer breakfast with AA's or a Catholic Mass with Hispanics. He is a non-practicing Jew. It would be disingenuous.

I think all that can be done has been done. I think that there are several shit disturbers on these boards who want to see race pitted against race.

Well I am done with it. Sanders message is one of inclusion. Clintons is the double message of 'we' when really all she cares about is 'me'. How may realize that in the run up to Super Tuesday she mentioned BLM names for the first time in her speeches. But all of the victims named were from the states that were part of Super Tuesday and no others. And she has yet to mention Laquan McDonald 's name because Emmanuel is a 'good' friend of hers.

Fuck Clinton. And frankly I am done with anyone of any race, creed, gender, orientation etc. that votes for a liar, a panderer, and a neocon neoliberal. We get what we deserve for ignoring the real progressive in this race.

[noiretextatique]

13. there needs to be some outreach

if only to counter the propaganda campaign, he has some well-known black supporters to use...use them to take control of the dialogue. i am not constantly posting about it, are you? i am constantly responding to bs from the clinton camp.

[TM99]

15. There is outreach.

But mostly white supporters trying to do that outreach is going to make matters worse, in my opinion. Shit stirrers here and elsewhere are demonstrating that sad fact.

[noiretextatique]

17. killer mike, t.i., me, rev al

etc. i am working on family and friends on facebook, with some sucess.

[jillan]

41. Can you explain to this white old lady why there is so much hatred out there

for Bernie & his supporters?

Even Skinner (1 of the 2 guys that run DU) was agreeing with all the venom directed at Bernie & his supporters.

I don't understand why everyday there are more and more threads about Bernie & why he will never get the support of the AA voters. Pure vitriol being poured out in those threads.
Did he do something, not do something, say something? I just don't see it.
But maybe as a white woman I am blind to it.

I really want to know because it is not stop - thanks

[GoneFishin]

60. If you don't know the reason it may be because it is manufactured by trouble makers to cause chaos

and maybe get Bernie supporters to say something that can be twisted.

[jillan]

62. That's what I was thinking but like I said - who am I to know for sure? I'm just baffled,

esp when Skinner agrees with the ones that are attacking us.

[GoneFishin]

64. Obviously some exchanges are just exchanges. But there are a small handful who go on posting

binges putting out inflammatory bait posts.

[Bjornsdotter]

6. Share the video

....of Jonathon Jackson introducing Bernie at Chicago State University.


[link:http:// Watch "Professor Johnathon Jackson's (Rev. Jesse Jackson…" on YouTube
Professor Johnathon Jackson's (Rev. Jesse Jackson…:

|

[TM99]

18. I saw this.

I wonder how much airplay it got on national TV. I doubt it was even shown once!

[Bjornsdotter]

23. Exactly!

It hasn't been. I thought it was a wonderful introduction.

A former uni friend of my daughter was there and he said Bernie was electrifying.

[TM99]

28. I voted for Jesse Jackson

in my first primary. I was in an open primary state then.

This is full circle for me as well.

[polly7]

63. Just shared this.

I'm from Canada but belong to doll-makers and portrait artists groups with hundreds/thousands of followers in the US. On behalf of my family and friends there and people across the ocean who are being decimated by western military intervention, I'm going to start sharing everything I come across. * those here who say I have no business doing it.

[Bjornsdotter]

66. Thank-you!

I appreciate you passing it along!

[Wilms]

7. Electability in the General is an important metric for a lot of people...

Point people to the polls showing Bernie's (and Hillary's) prospects against likely reThugs.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. From the grassroots

The establishment is very strong in Black areas (at least around here). A lot of work door knocking and talking to people is needed.

[noiretextatique]

26. good idea

but, it has to be people in the community.

[Ken Burch]

69. Definitely.

I wonder if this idea from the '08 Obama campaign would help(especially in Illinois, NY and Cali):

That year, they made CD's that featured excerpts from Obama's speeches and handed those out in AA communities.

Would that work this time?

How about if they were done as a remix, with the speeches interlaced with material from people like T.I., Spike and other AA celebrities?

[noiretextatique]

10. stop engaging shit-stirrers

they are just stirring shit. some people here are not serious...they have an agenda. the post the same tired messages over and over, they are not interested in dialogue or strategies, they just want to post that message. you just posted in one of those threads.

[dragonfly301]

27. +1 eom

[Arazi]

37. + another 1 The narcissist(s) crave our response. Let them go

she/they are just looking for a fight. It's not worth the effort since you're never going to change minds there

[GoneFishin]

61. Yep.

[bernbabe]

11. I really don't know

I'm in throw my arms up in the air mode. There is such a difference that if you can't see it by now it's probably just willful ignorance. If you lay out facts and the people just choose to not believe it, what can you do? In fact it's almost like "well white people are voting for Bernie so I should vote opposite. "

[Rebkeh]

20. Bernie does well with rural white democrats

We need to be in the cities more. I hope BLM does some work on the ground for Bernie (I am almost certain they will). If you live in or near a city, don't exclude poc from your outreach. I know a lot of people hesitate to go in neighborhoods unlike their own. Step outside of your comfort zone. Connect with other poc Bernie supporters in your neighborhood and form an alliance of equals. Be a team, don't be a savior.

I am not Latina but I imagine attempting to bridge the language gap would go a long way. Seems like even attempting your bad Spanish, the little you learned in high school could bridge a divide. Maybe? lol (don't take my word for it)

Don't demand poc explain why they support the opposition. It's just so disrespectful. Honest curiosity is one thing but confrontational demands? Nevah gonna work.

If I was unengaged this election and had never heard of Bernie, I would want white supporters to show me how they align with us regular and poor people instead of with the rich folks. They are, after all, a common "enemy" and racism has kept us divided for their benefit. A commitment to end that game would go a long way for me. It is not going to be easy to convince people, it's going to take time. I just happen to be an exception to the rule on this.

Bernie sells himself on the issues, for sure, but I think framing arguments better would help as well. I have posted about framing and other poc perspective on DU.

*I probably don't have to say it but these opinions are my own, as a poc woman myself*

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511397357

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280132341

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280127469

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280127081

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280126583

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027589250

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280105489

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511193813

On edit: I talk about this topic a lot, scroll through my Journal for more

[noiretextatique]

21. how about listening to black Bernie supporters?

i think i am the only one in this thread. let me see if my friend can join in.

[Rebkeh]

24. We need a black Bernie supporter indicator of some kind, I can't keep up with all these names

Meme, banner or .gif, anyone?

[noiretextatique]

29. i have a button in my sig line

african-americans for bernie. text could be bigger or bplder.

[Rebkeh]

30. Well shit. Look at that.

I need new glasses.

[noiretextatique]

31. it is small

lol. i got it frpm a group on facebook.

[TM99]

35. Grab the one from my signature.

I can also send you the direct link if you require that.

[Rebkeh]

44. I got it but dont know how to add it to the sig line yet

I will add it soon.

[TM99]

46. Just right click the image

and select copy image location.

Then go to your signature line, select edit, and then paste the url from the previous selection in the box.

Save, and it should be there.

[Rebkeh]

47. Thanks

[TM99]

50. Any time.

[SheenaR]

25. Hit the damn cities

Boots on the ground

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280132436

[Rebkeh]

32. One more thing

DO NOT ENGAGE with the shit stirring. Don't take the bait. Not even to say, "stop race baiting" because sometimes it isn't race baiting at all - and if you cannot tell the difference, it's better to say nothing.

[noiretextatique]

38. great idea

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280132749#post10

[ALBliberal]

33. I agree stop trying so hard. Keep on message the young POC will get their

parents and grandparents on board.

[noiretextatique]

34. i am going to be real frank here: there has to be some black faces delivering the message

in part to counter all the racial bs that black people have been bombarded with by clinton surrogates. they have been reaching AAs with all the absurd memes we see here on a daily basis. the have been articles, ad nasuem, pushing the message that bernie supporters are white, racist, and tonedeaf about racism. there has been a relentless, coordinated effort targeting black people because HRC needs us to win. much of the hand-wringing here from a certain forum is that propaganda.

[TM99]

36. I definitely agree. n/t

[hillarysong2016]

51. Please see here for powerful black voices for Benie and SPREAD the word so ppl see them

Yes and I posted links to several POWERFUL black voices delivering the message, here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1280&pid=132997


Besides those 4 or 5 resource, I should have added another, you've probably heard of Killer Mike's endorsement of Bernie but only recently did I watch the long barbershop conversation they had...it's GOOD..

Talking Shop w/ Bernie Sanders 1/6: Economic Freedom | Killer Mike

which will take you to the other 5 parts...Bernie starts more quiet to listen to Killer Mike..by part 3 or so Benie's really powerfully engaging Mike

The other resources to share, let me get the link to work this time:

[link:http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1280&pid=132997|

[Ken Burch]

59. Agreed.

That needs to happen much, much more often.

Thanks for that.

[GoneFishin]

65. Thank you very much.

[noiretextatique]

39. i am done.

i will check in romorrow.

[Arazi]

40. It's tough, the waters have been poisoned so badly

I've had some success with this approach

"I'm voting for Hillary"

Me: it's important we get a democrat in office for sure. If Hillary doesn't win the nomination will you look at Bernie Sanders' ideas? He's been on our side for decades and if you don't know him or his record, I hope you'll look into it.

"Oh, ok. I can do that"

Me: make sure you take some time on his (insert your favorite passion point here) pledge to get 500,000 people out of prison by the end of his first term. It's important our men are released and the drug war stopped!

This (sometimes) gives me an opening. It respects their choice. It doesn't preach. It respects that they're intelligent and can find the answers themselves if they want. It's reminding them that there are two candidates and maybe there's something to Bernie.

Canvassing is more effective than phoning. Face to face is always better. Black faces are best so if you know any AA Sanders supporters, make sure they're paired up with a white person so people know they wouldn't be an oddball for supporting Bernie

The Brock ratfucking was damn effective though, I'll admit it's a tough sell. Many black minds are made up despite Hillary's worse record. I persist however. I won't give up til the convention

[noiretextatique]

42. great ideas

thank you! i am sick too, so i am out. feel better, my friend

[Arazi]

43. You too. Get some sleep

[potone]

57. Yes, take care of yourself.

And get back to us when you feel better. As a white woman, I agree that the message to PoC has to come from PoC. I am in Portland, OR. I'd appreciate hearing from any AA Duers who are in Portland on what they think we should do. Bernie can't win with only the white vote, and I sincerely think that he is the best candidate for ALL of us who aren't part of the 1%.

[stranger81]

45. Lie, pander, swiftboat the other guy, and lie some more.

After all, it's been working for the Clinton campaign so far.

[hillarysong2016]

48. Share Critical links of powerful Black voices, to share with African Americans

We need to help powerful articular African American progressive voices reach more ears, including the ears of more Black voters:

1. Great youtube channel, African American genuinely progressive pro-Bernie guy:

GREAT clips online, and there is a call in number to actually be on the radio show:

The Benjamin Dixon Show:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCioqY4zblWt7Uw0E0VTGA

2. Probably someone's already posted this somewhere in this thread but important -
http://www.thenation.com/article/hillary-clinton-does-not-deserve-black-peoples-votes/
Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote
From the crime bill to welfare reform, policies Bill Clinton enacted—and Hillary Clinton supported—decimated black America.
By Michelle Alexander
February 10, 2016

3. We need to spread this one like wildfire because the LIE that "CBC endorsed Hillary" is seen a "fact" by so many:

The Congressional Black Caucus did NOT endorse Hillary! In fact members protested against the separate entity PAC doing so without asking them...this deserves a whole separate post...

but here is a first, important link:


Congressman Ellison who came out and revealed this is NOT a CBC endorsment:

https://theintercept.com/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-hillary/


4. Only posts irregularly but put up some good media edits, black youtuber Doe Nation:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX9J3ekZR1dLtaFL_UqU9Yg/videos

like his editing together clips for:

featuring African American voices

Another Reason To Vote For Bernie Sanders & Not Hillary Clinton Is Electability

Which is almost reason #5 in a nutshell:
5: If "Electability" is the reason some people are not voting Sanders, we need to spread the word that electability versus Republicans is where Sanders does much BETTER than Clinton

[Ken Burch]

49. thank you for that. n/t.

[hillarysong2016]

52. no problem...I'm about to add another w links to amazing barbershop with Killer Mike hour-long n/t

[Ken Burch]

56. Great.

That will be a big help.

[monicaangela]

53. It is impossible for us to convince anyone

to vote for Bernie, we shouldn't even try, all we can do is explain the reasons we are voting for Bernie when asked. I feel helpless when it comes to bowing out and allowing others to choose someone that I feel is not appropriate for the office, but that is just my opinion, and I have learned that others are going to make their decision regardless of how I feel. I can only suggest that any African American willing to listen to my suggestion the following: Pay careful attention to the issues that face us as a nation, forget about watching the MSM, and after careful reflection vote for whichever candidate you feel will support you and your interest while in office.

[grasswire]

54. I think older AA woman are probably impossible to reach.

It is the youth who understand that their future lies with an honest populist candidate, not with a corporate toady who has damaged them so much for a couple of generations now. From what I have read here and there, written by AAs, there's a generational intimidation factor.

[hillarysong2016]

58. You Must watch extended conv:Killer Mike w Bernie: vid links;Plus Amazing candid Erica Garner quote

Most people have heard that Killer Mike has endorsed Bernie...maybe seen the video of KM introducing Bernie..but only recently did I get to watch the extended barbershop(!) conversation they had, in six parts...it is so genuine...

Bernie starts slow, lets KM do much of the talking in first parts 1 and 2 (though still quite interesting) and is on fire by part 3...

Obviously you know that, if you're white, you don't need to "tell" your AA friends what to think, same if you're Black or Latino or other...just ask them to have a look at how powerful this conversation is..and it's not only about race, FAR from that...economics, empowerment, democracy, and yes also race issues including what make MLK so powerful...and Killer Mike is pulling out of Bernie, who was there to watch it in person, more about MLK too..it IS worth watching all 6 parts, but don't just watch please - please pass on to everyone, including African Americans!

Talking Shop w/ Bernie Sanders 1/6: Economic Freedom | Killer Mike

Talking Shop w/ Bernie Sanders 2/6: Social Justice | Killer Mike

Talking Shop w/ Bernie Sanders 3/6: Rigged Economy | Killer Mike

Talking Shop w/ Bernie Sanders 4/6: Free Health Care: It Ain’t a Big Deal | Killer Mike

Talking Shop w/ Bernie Sanders 5/6: This Country Was Started As An Act Of Political Protest

Talking Shop w/ Bernie Sanders 6/6: Democrats Win When People Vote | Killer Mike

How about even more resources to share with progressive, liberal, even on the fence, even pro-Hillary AA you may know...here are 4 or 5 other resources to spread by voices of articulate AA progressives:

see my post here

and another is of course Erica Garner endorsing Bernie, here's the youtube link:

However, I almost missed something important..have a look at her own website http://www.officialericagarner.com/

Where she says this (too bad she didn't put it in the video description on youtube) on her site:

Last week we made a commercial to express to the world exactly why I am endorsing Bernie Sanders for President. The Sanders team allowed me and my team full creative control of this video so this message is 100% my message and my views! They had a totally different idea of what should be done, but true to form with Senator Sanders, he listened to me, didn’t tell me he knew better and I was not practical and this is what we produced.

The Senator didn’t reach out to me all of a sudden because he needs help with Black people. He didn’t put out a press conference announcing that we would be working together. He didn’t force me to frame my support of him around a subject matter that special interest groups that support him can get behind. They said we are glad to have your support, how do you want to plug in. You will see a lot of Black leaders handing out endorsements, think to yourself, have they historically been a rubber stamp for the establishment? I hope this expresses why I think Bernie is our guy!

The parts I put in bold...my reaction was, just.. wow...

It shouldn't be "wow" it should be how all politics works, but it's usually the opposite...They let her do it HER WAY...powerful words...and also probably many AA's among the comments at her page this is quote from:

http://www.officialericagarner.com/2016/02/11/erica-garners-commercial-endorsing-bernie-sanders-for-president/

[Spacedog1973]

67. Your need outreach

And that doesn't mean bombarding POC with Bernie's actions in the civil rights movement, or to trot out POC for Bernie. People here, need to go into black spaces and actually ask them what they want from a candidate and feed that back to Bernie and his campaign.

It also involves tone. There is a lot of tone deafness - reading this thread, its like so many people haven't the first idea of how to communicate with POC or have no general contact with POC on a daily basis, or on a personal basis. Thats not an insult, its simply how some of the posts come across.

Instead of stating 'this should be enough to sway POC to Bernie' or 'I have this idea, why not this?' - and then sharing the idea with each other, simply, and it is simply - ask the people who you are trying to attract rather than the very odd looking insular pattern of asking each other.

Go on black forums, ask questions, do some research, get a grasp of how the 'other half' experiences the world and how as a consequence, some of those needs are different than yours. And then, armed with new knowledge, come back to these forums with what you have learned.

To be honest, the only thing that Bernie can do to sway POC is to bring them into his concept of 'revolution'. A revolution means different things to different people. In essence, Bernie appears to want to 'shake up' the status quo; to do all the things that people have been wanting done for years, but due to private concerns and corruption, has met wall after wall.

Bernie supporter I think also realise that even if he were president, his plans would meet significant resistance from establishment. But are prepared to see it through due to principle. Thats idealism. However, that requires not just a select proportion of the public giving continued support, but the public from every demographic. For POC, that has to include something that appeals to their sense of what 'Revolution' is.

A true revolution for POC would be a viable candidate that supported and promised reparations. Without that aspect to his revolution, it will be dead in the water. This requires pushing from his supporters, especially his white supporters who believe in a revolution, but a revolution 'with limitations' when it comes to this issue.

[bernbabe]

68. Bernie is not for "reparations"

and his position is correct imo.

[Spacedog1973]

70. A revolution with limitations

Is not a revolution at all. As the demographics change in the US, theses issues aren't going away any time soon, but instead will become louder and louder every election. A revolution that doesn't involve POCs needs and heavily caters to white people sensibilities on issues such as reparations will forevermore be doomed to failure. Without that on his ticket, he has no chance of overcoming hillary's lead with POC by offering something POC would get behind and she doesn't offer.