Koinos
Koinos's Journal"A real liberal revolution starts with communities of color," by kos
Definitely worth a read, in the light of discussions about this issue on DU.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/2/1494621/-A-real-liberal-revolution-starts-with-communities-of-color
Excerpts:
And as the early state results make clear, that never happened....
1) You dont try to impose your framing and issues on people who have different priorities....
2) You dont become resentful of other groups when they dont follow along. The ugliest part of this primary campaign has been the accusation that certain Democratic voters dont matter, especially since those voters being dismissed are disproportionately brown and black....
3) Everyone is on the same page from the beginning. Related to the above, I cringe every time I see a white progressive demanding that black or Latino voters explain their support for Hillary Clinton. Do you not realize how horrible that looks, and how offensive that is, that white people are demanding that people of color justify their choices? Its beyond cringe-inducing. Its deeply disturbing....
4) You will be more effective. Bottom line, no white-dominated liberal movement will succeed when 40 percent of Democrats are people of color. And people of color will be reluctant to join a movement led by little-known whites. History has made us justifiably suspicious of the Great White Savior. So building from the ground up, with full inclusion of people of color in leadership, will allow for a broad-based coalition that can have the numbers to topple the system. Because you know what, screaming at people of color about the oligarchy and corrupt Clinton really isnt doing anyone or any movement any favors.
So why am I harping on this? Because I want to build an effective movement, and the Sanders campaign didnt prove to be an effective vehicle for it. Yet the goal is one worth pursuing, so we need that movement.
Tulsi Gabbard may not be entirely helpful for the Sanders campaign.
I think that Tulsi Gabbard might not be the best spokesperson for the Sanders campaign. I foresee potential problems for the Sanders campaign with what appears to be her association with an anti-Islamic Indian nationalist party (BJP). Religious persecution of Muslims in India is a major human rights problem.
See this Alternet article:
"The Curious Islamophobic Politics of Dem Congressmember Tulsi Gabbard"
http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/curious-islamophobic-politics-dem-congressmember-tulsi-gabbard
Excerpts:
Why did Gabbard work so hard to shield BJP abuses from congressional review? The answer lies in her base of supporters. The BJP draws on support from the large Indian expatriate community through an organization called the Overseas Friends of BJP. In August of last year, the group convened a large number of Indian American BJP supporters in Atlanta as part of an eight-city tour designed to prepare for Modi's first visit to the United States the following month.
O'Malley Working Hard to Get Progressives Elected, Endorses John Fetterman for U.S. Senate
I received this email today, in which Martin O'Malley endorses John Fetterman for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania:
I believe that our outdated and inhumane immigration laws no longer meet our economic needs, our national security imperatives, or most importantly, our values as a people.
I believe that we need to lead with the compassionate message and actions that have made us who we are: a nation of immigrants, bonded together by our diverse beliefs and traditions.
Immigration is what has made America, America.
And while much can be done by bold executive action, it is no substitute for Congressional action. We need leaders in Washington who will tirelessly stand up to the kind of hateful, misguided rhetoric we've seen thrown at the millions of New Americans and fight to forge consensus on an issue that has shaped this country.
I believe Braddock, Pennsylvania Mayor John Fetterman is that kind of leader, and that's why today, I am endorsing his campaign for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. He really needs our help, so click here to join his progressive campaign.
As Mayor of Braddock, PA for more than ten years, he's taken on the kinds of issues that are now at the forefront of the American conscience: income inequality, green jobs, access to health care and gun violence, to name just a few.
But John's wife Gisele has a remarkable story that is so emblematic of our experience as a country, and the work on immigration that lies before us. Like so many before her, she came to this country with her family from Brazil in search of a better life fleeing a violent and unstable situation.
Her family overstayed their visa, and for years, she lived in the shadows undocumented while her mother cleaned houses for twelve hours a day. And while Gisele would eventually obtain her green card, it shouldn't have been that hard.
When John is asked about what he thought of Gisele and her family staying here illegally, I love his response: "Im so glad she did."
It's time we approached the issue of immigration with humanity and an understanding of how we have all been shaped by it, directly or indirectly. Once again, we must remember that the enduring symbol of our nation isn't the barbed wire fence it's the Statue of Liberty.
Please join me in supporting John's bid for the U.S. Senate. We need more leaders in Washington ready to embrace immigration reform, rather than running away from it.
Thank you,
Martin O'Malley
As he has done before, O'Malley will work hard to get progressive Democrats elected in 2016. O'Malley supporters have every reason to be proud.
Governor Martin O'Malley's Accomplishments in Maryland Live On
Just one of many things that Martin O'Malley accomplished for Maryland:
Maryland Kicks Off Application Period For Offshore Wind Development
Then-Gov. Martin OMalley first introduced the act in January 2013 his third attempt at establishing offshore wind legislation in the state. His 2011 and 2012 versions of the act were first defeated by the Maryland General Assembly.
http://nawindpower.com/maryland-kicks-off-application-period-for-offshore-wind-development
The things he could do for this country, if only given the chance, are amazing.
O'Malley seems taller than ever to me at this point.
Standing aside from the fray, I am watching parallel train wrecks in two primaries where opponents are tearing each other to pieces. I do not know how it will end, but I think it will end badly.
Then I turn away from the scene; and, in a brief moment of silence and peace, I picture O'Malley reading Thomas Merton in the morning and playing Irish music in the evening.
I remember when he said that politics, like playing in a band, requires unity of many different instruments and voices.
Democracy, like music, requires a beautiful working harmony of many different points of view. People disagree, but they have the wisdom to join together in working for the common good. They envision something bigger than their own personal wants and needs.
O'Malley has suspended his campaign. He is no longer in the room. But he is still the adult, although outside the room.
He would have brought this country together and inspired it with his optimism. Instead, we are stuck with anger, hatred, and division.
As O'Malley himself often said, you can't build a great country on anger and hatred.
I miss him. If America knew better, it would miss him too. If there is anything left of our country in four years and if O'Malley is willing and ready, we may all be willing to give him a second look.
I will certainly and without hesitation vote for whoever emerges as the 2016 Democratic nominee, but I will steady myself in hard times by imagining that guy standing on tables and chairs.
An Elegy for Martin O’Malley
O'Malley and his love for Irish poetry:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/an-elegy-for-martin-omalley/423978/
Martin O'Malley and his band to play Creative Alliance next month.
This is our candidate! Go Martin!
On March 13, the former Maryland governor and recently former Democratic president candidate will bring O'Malley's March, his seven-piece Irish pub-rock band, to Creative Alliance at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave., Highlandtown). It is O'Malley's first scheduled performance with the band since he suspended his presidential campaign last week.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/midnight-sun-blog/bal-martin-omalley-omalleys-march-creative-alliance-march-2016-story.html
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