General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why "Bernie was arrested in '63" is an inappropriate answer to criticism of his civil rights record [View all]EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)When people - especially African Americans - raise any question about any position or comment or approach from Bernie Sanders related to civil rights, invariably we are told that it is wrong, unfair, divisive, etc. to raise such questions of Sanders because, after all, he was arrested protesting segregation in 1963. It is clear that some people believe that the fact that Sanders protested in the 1960s is proof positive of where he stands now and should completely absolve him of ever having his current approaches to civil rights questioned in any way.
This happened as recently as this morning when a photo was posted of him being arrested in response to such questions. https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10467608
So, my OP - as should be abundantly clear by its literal words and tone - was not about whether or not Sanders' is or isn't good on civil rights. It focuses ONLY on the fallacy of using his long-ago protest as conclusive proof of where he stands now or as a method to shut down even any discussion of his current approaches. The fact that he protested in the 1960s does not mean anyone who questions his actions today is bashing him, calling him a racist, accusing him of being anti-civil rights or anything else negative.
It's very simple.
I can't believe I still have to EXPLAIN this shit ...
