Cornel West Surrogacy highlights a major problem with the Sanders' campaign's outreach strategy

[Empowerer]

33. Your post made me laugh, smile AND think! :-)

Your evolving take on Dr. West is similar to mine. And your friend's quote is SO dead on, I think I actually heard his voice! That certainly is a sentiment of many.

I was particularly touched by your comment about the baggage you're working on. We ALL have baggage in this area. Unfortunately, people often assume that if they acknowledge it or, God forbid, point out someone else's baggage, that it means we are calling someone a racist or admitting to being one ourselves. That's just not true.

Race in America is a loaded, complicated, painful thing and it can't be resolved with simplistic, "I never had slaves, so why am I getting blamed," or "STOP CALLING ME A RACIST!" platitudes. We are all prejudiced to some degree and can all do better. That does not mean we are racists. But racism and bias and the other baggage that comes along with it is so deeply ingrained in the DNA of this country and, as a result, in us, that we all have to own it and work to do better.

But a big problem I've been seeing in these discussions is the assumption that one is either a racist or pure as the driven snow and anyone who suggests that someone can do better - for example, pointing out that Bernie Sanders could do a better job in reaching out to and connecting with the black community - is attacked by some who insist they are accusing them of being racist, and then the conversation shuts down. It's troubling and it's unfortunate.

So, I really appreciate your comments and have confidence that whatever it is you're working on, you're going to be fine because you're being honest and open and really trying to find a way forward.

I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts on this and other topics!