Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley Failed Their #BlackLivesMatter Test

[Sancho]

71. Unfortunately I live it...

I grew up in SC, and have taught in southern schools for decades. I have lived in FL now for many years along side immigrants (I have two over at the house today). No one cares if a rally is diverse. Bernie needs to be invited to visit 20 black churches in the South and tour with them. Hillary was with Reverend Pinkney the day he was shot on a quiet tour of black venues.

Hillary and the Clintons are appreciated because churches and social organizations see them working through the Clinton Foundation. There is no law or bill that will take the place of face-to-face meetings. Of course the Clinton's aren't black, but they have many appearances over the years in the South and also on Univision, so they are popular for several stances - including the first to call for a path to citizenship, the Children's Defense Fund, and many other efforts. The Clinton's don't have any more history of lies and manipulation than Bernie, they are just on a bigger stage and some people buy into the RW memes.

Yes, Wall Street and the TPP are straw men. Breaking up banks won't do anything, the TPP won't cause any more harm than good (if it's ever passed), and a Hillary simply has a plan to entice corporations to raise wages rather than attempt to force them to $15 and have another 20 year stalemate. That's why we have the mess that we have now. Too much focus on Wall Street and money - instead of a focus on justice and people. Bernie hasn't changed his tune in the many years I've listened to him. Almost none of his proposals have a chance of ever becoming law. Too simplistic and radical in most cases.

Hillary's record with people who have been in the field is excellent for children, women, and immigrants. Bernie is either unknown or seen as a distant Democrat who hardly has been on their side. Vermont doesn't have tuition equity (NY does), Bernie's plan for day care included TRACKING children, and there are many other cases where he just didn't get it.

Yes, you can legislate change. Take the attitude of people towards the disabled. It's a complete turn around in my lifetime. Also, the recent LGBT rulings will make it a non-issue in future years. As Hillary said, people need a champion for them, not a rant.

Bernie's not an awful progressive, but he's clearly not in sync with much of my experience with the community of the sunbelt, and the polls have reflected it so far. BTW - the 30 million people I'm talking about don't answer polls, and even then education and jobs are part of social justice. Blacks want EQUAL schools, access to college, equal job opportunity. Just like women should be paid equally for work (Hillary was the first to call for salary transparency and has for decades worked for women's education and immigrant education opportunities.). Those are not economic issues.

If you are black or hispanic or undocumented - even if you have money in the bank - you cannot get into the 95% white University of Florida unless you are a football player. Take my word for it!! You are misunderstanding the poll, probably just like Bernie does. If you get your college degree, you won't get hired or make as much money if you are black, hispanic, or a woman. You may not even get a job at all if you are undocumented - you might get deported (even if you grew up in Fl from the time your parents brought you here at 2 years old).

If you get that job, the real estate agent will steer you into neighborhoods where blacks are allowed, and your home loan will have a high interest rate. You will be stopped and searched in than nice neighborhood if you look out of place.

Social justice, not economic justice is the issue.