February 12, 2016

If I didn't already know who Bernie is, and Obama hadn't won twice, what would I be thinking now?

I first learned of Bernie when he gave a short interview on MSNBC during Obama's first term. I later came to know more about Bernie from Thom Hartmann's show and the weekly Brunch with Bernie segment. Needless to say, I have been a 'fan' (what is the proper word here anyway?) of his for years now. When I heard he may announce a run and might be the nominee, and that Elizabeth Warren declined, I was hopeful. Very hopeful, and when he announced, well I was on board instantly.

I'm getting ahead of myself though.

Back in '07 I didn't believe that a black person would ever be president, the country and the system were simply too racist. It was never going to happen, not in my lifetime (I'm in my mid forties). I was completely convinced of it. I had hoped it would happen before I died and if it did happen, it would be through a series of failures and rough starts. Maybe someone would be VP first, but not President. I did not see Obama coming and boy... what an amazing surprise that was! But even when he was still running for the nomination, I honestly didn't think America would come through. I knew the system had changed enough to give him a fighting chance but I had no faith in the people. To even get as far as a nomination was an accomplishment but I didn't think the voters would come through.

Well, damn. They did.

I am far more hopeful about the country than I had been in 2007. The "impossible" is now plausible.

Even though Obama didn't lead as far from the left as I wanted him to, and the people didn't really have his back as much as we should have, my hope remains intact. Which is why I have the confidence I have in Bernie to rally long term support and enthusiasm. But what if I didn't know Bernie?

I have to be honest here. I would likely come to trust Bernie just fine - eventually - but I have to say I'd doubt the people. I would question that they would have Bernie's back when shit gets real, especially in terms of racism. When President Sanders fights Wall St, he will have hordes of people behind him, that's obvious. But when he fights institutional racism? I can see why some are not so sure. Are the people going to recognize the dog whistles - and there will be dog whistles - and call them out? It will be hard to go against the norm, very hard. Are white people going to stand up for programs, proposed legislation and other solutions that mostly or even solely benefit black and brown people? Or are they going to let racism strike them down and ensure that we have yet another President that cannot fulfill his campaign promises? Is the narrative about "lazy black people," and all the rest of them, going to continue to work?

I think a lot of poc can find Bernie believable enough but he won't be able to do it alone. I suspect some poc put more faith in someone who can play the system, to play the game to their benefit than they can in the American People to stand up with them.

Change from within the system needs a brilliant chess player to make it happen.
Change from outside the system needs rock solid and constant support to assist a leader to make it happen.

The devil you know and the devil you don't -

One can kick ass from within, but would she?
One can kick ass from without, but will WE?

We must, as Bernie supporters, convince people that we will have their back. A lot of supporters disappeared after Obama became President, the reasons for that are debatable, but the bottom line is that too many went home and expected him to do it alone. When Obama had to compromise, people withdrew their support. Will that happen to Bernie? Are we in this for the long haul? Are we in it 100%?

February 12, 2016

Got another heart

Thank you, whoever you are.

February 12, 2016

This is what should be dominating the headlines today

But, of course, it isn't.

Protesters storm press filing center
By GABRIEL DEBENEDETTI 02/11/16 08:08 PM EST
MILWAUKEE — A group of protesters stormed the area right outside the press filing center ahead of tonight's Democratic debate, calling for a $15 minimum wage.
The demonstration echoed similar events in the early primary states in recent weeks.
The group was part of the Fight for $15 movement, which hasn't endorsed a candidate — though the push is backed by the SEIU, which has endorsed Hillary Clinton.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/democratic-debate-milwaukee-2016/2016/02/protesters-storm-press-filing-center-219167#ixzz3zymAr6JA

February 11, 2016

An observation about these two camps that is quite puzzling to me

As a black Bernie supporter myself, I see black supporters on the other side basically saying, "Stop patronizing me with this idea that I should switch because of my race, that I'm on the wrong side because of race."

Meanwhile, as a woman I'm told I'm on the wrong side because of my gender and women Bernie supporters are having exactly none of that bullshit. Especially when some males are suggesting to females, "Hey, get with the program and fall in line behind the female candidate."



It's like watching a comedy skit with mirrors, only it's not that funny. Still, all I can do is laugh. I got nothing else.

***To be clear, I am not saying race and gender are equivalent here, they are not. I am talking about biases, blind spots and behavior. Nothing more. ***

February 10, 2016

About the elephant in the room (no, not that elephant) -

**

This is cross-posted from the Bernie Sanders group due to requests for me to share it more widely

White Bernsters, Occupy and Race

First, let me be clear about Bernie’s so called POC problem. I don’t think he has a problem, if anything, it’s that many don’t know who he is or what he’s about, POC or otherwise. Most of the country is disengaged from politics in general. There are many black Bernie supporters, I am one of them, but I wonder if it’s more perception than fact that POC don’t like him. Not to mention that POC are not a monolithic bloc, we vary as much as any other group of people. So much is unclear about this.

What I do know is that due to the media’s history of giving Bernie so little coverage, and when they do it is unfair and unbalanced, it is incumbent on us to get the word out. This is frustrating because many of Bernie’s supporters do, yes, have a POC problem – because America has a POC problem. Failure to communicate and connect with POC is not unique to Bernie supporters, in fact, look at ’08 to see who else had the same dilemma. Furthermore, Bernie hasn’t made a full appeal to POC voters due to the electoral calendar, the primary elections in Nevada and South Carolina are coming along fast though. We will see what his campaign does, I am confident he will do well. But that is the campaign, the problem is with Bernie supporters and their racial disconnection.

By all reason and logic, and at first glance, the POC fight against the system, for fairness, equality and representation has become the aim of the white working class as well. The struggle is multi-faceted and economic interests overlap, there is so much potential for an alliance but it hasn’t happened, it needs to happen now.

When Occupy came on the scene, it was clear to some of us that many of the occupiers wanted to restore the lost privilege they had had come to expect. It looked to me like white occupiers wanted the establishment to work for them again instead of working for everyone. The problem is, that privilege was gained on the backs of black Americans (our parents, grandparents and ancestors). While this is not the direct fault or responsibility of today’s young white folks, when they outright deny their privilege, they only confirm the initial impression that they are not standing shoulder to shoulder for equality or for democracy. Suddenly blacks and whites are supposed to be on the same side because more white people are struggling?

Had more white Occupiers acknowledged why they had that advantage, we may have a comfortable alliance now. For the most part, I haven’t seen anything resembling that and now that Bernie is running for President, the same problems we had then are now going to be issues for Bernie. The fact is he needs more African American votes and since the media is trying to ignore him, Bernie is relying on us supporters to get the word out.

Bernie supporters are nervous because they need POC support for their candidate, which may be a new experience for some, while black people in particular are instinctively guarded in unique and specific ways about politicians already. So when white Bernie supporters, lacking context and understanding of POC perspective, try to sell a politician and do so with utter tone deafness and ignorance. What do you think is going to happen?

Incidentally, the exact same scenario played out when Occupy was on the front page. Politics is complicated, racial politics is a quagmire. It is messy and cannot be approached without nuanced understanding.

When Occupy first bubbled up, I was excited and ready to form alliances, I hoped we were finally going to get somewhere and make some political change. I remember thinking that Americans of all stripes might finally find common ground while embracing differences out of mutual interest and willingness to do the necessary work. I was wrong, the white Occupiers were mostly disconnected from POC perspective.

Here are some examples of the disconnection:
• Colorblindness as an ideal
• Defiance of authority/police without understanding the implications. We could very well be killed, not just unfairly arrested
• Not realizing that the lost privilege of the middle class was gained on the backs of our grandparents and parents
• Complaints about abuse of power and a rigged system and not understanding that communities of color have needed white courage for decades. (I asked myself repeatedly, “Are they now here for themselves or for the principle? For justice for all, or to try to get back to the good old days? To restore the unfair advantage they feel slipping away or to create a better future?”)

These disconnections appear to be present still. To make matters worse, telling black people what their political interests should be is just bad form. Very bad.

As for the African Americans that have decided to go with Bernie’s opposition, this is my take:
(note - It is strictly an observation on my part, I don’t intend to speak for them here. I cannot but for the sake of building bridges…)

Many black people have made some modest gains for equality and representation by navigating a rigged system, a rigged system that was literally designed to ensure their failure. The odds are virtually insurmountable yet some have succeeded beyond wildest expectations, such as Obama. That so many Bernie supporters fail to understand what it takes for a black person to navigate successfully in a world made for whites does not inspire some black people to stand with us.

When unconscious white Bernie supporters come barreling in threatening to disruptively upend the status quo, who wouldn’t want to slam the brakes? Keep in mind that this status quo, toxic as it is, it is still one in which many African Americans have managed to make small gains, incrementally. Many blacks have completed incredible feats of accomplishment to get ahead in a corrupt system hostile to black people, by finesse, smart strategy and diligent care and after generations of blood, sweat and tears by our grandparents and parents, the instinct is to stay the course. But then Bernie comes in threatening the current order, it is unnerving to the risk averse – and justifiably so. So much is at stake.

Then … when Bernie supporters insult the President on a personal level!? A man that literally saved this country from dire straits as it was circling down the drain, dealing with unprecedented obstruction and hostility, judging his work as if he was a white man in the white house. This is a grave mistake if you want their votes, it only demonstrates lack of understanding what black life in America is about. Many African Americans are fiercely protective of the President for obvious reasons.

The President has made some mistakes for sure, I acknowledge that and he did not lead from as far to the left as many would have liked, but when people judge his accomplishments by the same standards you use for a white president – it’s flatly wrong. Unfairly judging Obama does not engender confidence necessary for an alliance. The strategies he had to further develop in order to get anything done at all is unprecedented. He is a brilliant leader in spite of the areas where he could have done better and has been an amazing success in spite of the hostility. He plays the game exceptionally well – and he is not to be blamed for the game itself. He didn’t invent it and he couldn’t have changed it to the degree we wanted anyway. He has to play the cards he is dealt, and he plays them brilliantly. He was the right person for president at the time, now things are different. I believe, no, I know Bernie can get it done if we have his back. We cannot effectively have his back if we are divided and nothing divides Americans more effectively than race.

When white Bernie supporters won’t do the basic work to cross the racial divide, such as seeing that race and class are not interchangeable, or admitting to and using white privilege for the better, or fighting for equality instead of an unfair advantage or ignorantly insist that colorblindness is the answer - we all lose.

With all of this considered, why would (some) African Americans feel the Bern?

The irony is Bernie appears to get it for the most part but many of his supporters don’t. Bernie understands how race figures into the larger picture. Too many white Bernie supporters could hurt Bernie’s chances of gaining more POC votes if they don’t figure this out.

Bernie is still largely unknown and he has the potential to be our greatest ally to date, but since the media does not report on him, or when they do, they do so dishonestly, it’s up to us to tell the world about him. Let’s get race right this time.

The question remains, are white Bernie supporters fighting to restore privilege or are they fighting to restore democracy for all? Does their vision of change include POC, with the social and political complications that come with us? I ask you, white Bernsters, when you make gains, are you taking your prize and going home, or are you staying the course for everyone, POC included?

Keep in mind that a win for white people does not necessarily translate into a win for everyone else.

Because policy proposals and positions that help blacks tend to lose white voters and you can bet your butter the opposition will use race as a cudgel. White Bernie supporters need to break this pattern. Bernie, and America as a whole, needs us to break the pattern. We must do this work.

See my other posts for more about this subject:

In a fit of frustration, I posted a mini rant this morning. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027589250

Also, something to think about, where the above mentioned overlap occurs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280105489

Finally, this long read is an important one. For Bernie 2016, take the time to read it.
http://www.thenation.com/article/how-populists-like-bernie-sanders-should-talk-about-racism/

February 10, 2016

Anyone know how many delegates they have right now? Nt

February 9, 2016

Thanks for the valentine, whoever you are

A pleasant surprise.

February 7, 2016

About that speech, which bothers you more? (Poll)

Giving a speech to appeal to big money is bad, but that's not quite how it works. They don't invite people that are neutral, they invite people that align. They don't invite the Bernie Sanders of the world, not on your life. No, they invite their allies.

My answer is B.
The issue here is the pack you run with and if you are to represent the majority of the American people, you should be running with us. The invitation list is simply a fairly good indication.

February 6, 2016

How Populists Like Bernie Should Talk About Racism

To mobilize a multiracial coalition, progressives need to demonstrate how racism hurts us all.

Source: The Atlantic
By Ian Haney-López and Heather McGhee

Bernie Sanders’s remarkable popularity going into the Iowa caucus shows that economic populism is ascendant on the left. And yet the notable whiteness of his followers forces an uncomfortable question about this emerging progressive coalition. It’s been 50 years since a Democratic presidential candidate won a majority of the white vote in a general election, and many liberals are understandably excited over the prospect of bringing white Reagan Democrats back into the fold. But what about the Obama Democrats, the multiracial coalition that forms the party’s present and the country’s future? Whether we can combine these constituencies is a fundamental question for the left. Can progressives finally come together around a unifying message that resonates with whites on class, people of color on race, and the 99 percent on both?

:snip:

also:

This is the race story that Sanders and every progressive leader ought to be telling every time they step to a microphone. The reactionary economic agenda made possible by dog-whistle politics is responsible not just for the devaluing of black lives but for the declining fortunes of the majority of white families.

more: http://www.thenation.com/article/how-populists-like-bernie-sanders-should-talk-about-racism/

February 6, 2016

About the elephant in the room (no, not that elephant)

White Bernsters, Occupy and Race

First, let me be clear about Bernie’s so called POC problem. I don’t think he has a problem, if anything, it’s that many don’t know who he is or what he’s about, POC or otherwise. Most of the country is disengaged from politics in general. There are many black Bernie supporters, I am one of them, but I wonder if it’s more perception than fact that POC don’t like him. Not to mention that POC are not a monolithic bloc, we vary as much as any other group of people. So much is unclear about this.

What I do know is that due to the media’s history of giving Bernie so little coverage, and when they do it is unfair and unbalanced, it is incumbent on us to get the word out. This is frustrating because many of Bernie’s supporters do, yes, have a POC problem – because America has a POC problem. Failure to communicate and connect with POC is not unique to Bernie supporters, in fact, look at ’08 to see who else had the same dilemma. Furthermore, Bernie hasn’t made a full appeal to POC voters due to the electoral calendar, the primary elections in Nevada and South Carolina are coming along fast though. We will see what his campaign does, I am confident he will do well. But that is the campaign, the problem is with Bernie supporters and their racial disconnection.

By all reason and logic, and at first glance, the POC fight against the system, for fairness, equality and representation has become the aim of the white working class as well. The struggle is multi-faceted and economic interests overlap, there is so much potential for an alliance but it hasn’t happened, it needs to happen now.

When Occupy came on the scene, it was clear to some of us that many of the occupiers wanted to restore the lost privilege they had had come to expect. It looked to me like white occupiers wanted the establishment to work for them again instead of working for everyone. The problem is, that privilege was gained on the backs of black Americans (our parents, grandparents and ancestors). While this is not the direct fault or responsibility of today’s young white folks, when they outright deny their privilege, they only confirm the initial impression that they are not standing shoulder to shoulder for equality or for democracy. Suddenly blacks and whites are supposed to be on the same side because more white people are struggling?

Had more white Occupiers acknowledged why they had that advantage, we may have a comfortable alliance now. For the most part, I haven’t seen anything resembling that and now that Bernie is running for President, the same problems we had then are now going to be issues for Bernie. The fact is he needs more African American votes and since the media is trying to ignore him, Bernie is relying on us supporters to get the word out.

Bernie supporters are nervous because they need POC support for their candidate, which may be a new experience for some, while black people in particular are instinctively guarded in unique and specific ways about politicians already. So when white Bernie supporters, lacking context and understanding of POC perspective, try to sell a politician and do so with utter tone deafness and ignorance. What do you think is going to happen?

Incidentally, the exact same scenario played out when Occupy was on the front page. Politics is complicated, racial politics is a quagmire. It is messy and cannot be approached without nuanced understanding.

When Occupy first bubbled up, I was excited and ready to form alliances, I hoped we were finally going to get somewhere and make some political change. I remember thinking that Americans of all stripes might finally find common ground while embracing differences out of mutual interest and willingness to do the necessary work. I was wrong, the white Occupiers were mostly disconnected from POC perspective.

Here are some examples of the disconnection:
• Colorblindness as an ideal
• Defiance of authority/police without understanding the implications. We could very well be killed, not just unfairly arrested
• Not realizing that the lost privilege of the middle class was gained on the backs of our grandparents and parents
• Complaints about abuse of power and a rigged system and not understanding that communities of color have needed white courage for decades. (I asked myself repeatedly, “Are they now here for themselves or for the principle? For justice for all, or to try to get back to the good old days? To restore the unfair advantage they feel slipping away or to create a better future?”)

These disconnections appear to be present still. To make matters worse, telling black people what their political interests should be is just bad form. Very bad.

As for the African Americans that have decided to go with Bernie’s opposition, this is my take:
(note - It is strictly an observation on my part, I don’t intend to speak for them here. I cannot but for the sake of building bridges…)

Many black people have made some modest gains for equality and representation by navigating a rigged system, a rigged system that was literally designed to ensure their failure. The odds are virtually insurmountable yet some have succeeded beyond wildest expectations, such as Obama. That so many Bernie supporters fail to understand what it takes for a black person to navigate successfully in a world made for whites does not inspire some black people to stand with us.

When unconscious white Bernie supporters come barreling in threatening to disruptively upend the status quo, who wouldn’t want to slam the brakes? Keep in mind that this status quo, toxic as it is, it is still one in which many African Americans have managed to make small gains, incrementally. Many blacks have completed incredible feats of accomplishment to get ahead in a corrupt system hostile to black people, by finesse, smart strategy and diligent care and after generations of blood, sweat and tears by our grandparents and parents, the instinct is to stay the course. But then Bernie comes in threatening the current order, it is unnerving to the risk averse – and justifiably so. So much is at stake.

Then … when Bernie supporters insult the President on a personal level!? A man that literally saved this country from dire straits as it was circling down the drain, dealing with unprecedented obstruction and hostility, judging his work as if he was a white man in the white house. This is a grave mistake if you want their votes, it only demonstrates lack of understanding what black life in America is about. Many African Americans are fiercely protective of the President for obvious reasons.

The President has made some mistakes for sure, I acknowledge that and he did not lead from as far to the left as many would have liked, but when people judge his accomplishments by the same standards you use for a white president – it’s flatly wrong. Unfairly judging Obama does not engender confidence necessary for an alliance. The strategies he had to further develop in order to get anything done at all is unprecedented. He is a brilliant leader in spite of the areas where he could have done better and has been an amazing success in spite of the hostility. He plays the game exceptionally well – and he is not to be blamed for the game itself. He didn’t invent it and he couldn’t have changed it to the degree we wanted anyway. He has to play the cards he is dealt, and he plays them brilliantly. He was the right person for president at the time, now things are different. I believe, no, I know Bernie can get it done if we have his back. We cannot effectively have his back if we are divided and nothing divides Americans more effectively than race.

When white Bernie supporters won’t do the basic work to cross the racial divide, such as seeing that race and class are not interchangeable, or admitting to and using white privilege for the better, or fighting for equality instead of an unfair advantage or ignorantly insist that colorblindness is the answer - we all lose.

With all of this considered, why would (some) African Americans feel the Bern?

The irony is Bernie appears to get it for the most part but many of his supporters don’t. Bernie understands how race figures into the larger picture. Too many white Bernie supporters could hurt Bernie’s chances of gaining more POC votes if they don’t figure this out.

Bernie is still largely unknown and he has the potential to be our greatest ally to date, but since the media does not report on him, or when they do, they do so dishonestly, it’s up to us to tell the world about him. Let’s get race right this time.

The question remains, are white Bernie supporters fighting to restore privilege or are they fighting to restore democracy for all? Does their vision of change include POC, with the social and political complications that come with us? I ask you, white Bernsters, when you make gains, are you taking your prize and going home, or are you staying the course for everyone, POC included?

Keep in mind that a win for white people does not necessarily translate into a win for everyone else.

Because policy proposals and positions that help blacks tend to lose white voters and you can bet your butter the opposition will use race as a cudgel. White Bernie supporters need to break this pattern. Bernie, and America as a whole, needs us to break the pattern. We must do this work.

See my other posts for more about this subject:

In a fit of frustration, I posted a mini rant this morning. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027589250

Also, something to think about, where the above mentioned overlap occurs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280105489

Finally, this long read is an important one. For Bernie 2016, take the time to read it.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/index.php