This diary is very short. I just have a few things to ask:
1. I am asking for #BlackLivesMatter to support candidates who have shown over decades that they support their issues.
2. As a fellow liberal African-American, please do not act as though you are speaking for the majority of liberal African-Americans, or even Democrats. Because somehow you are leaving that impression of our well-meaning white progressive allies.
3. You are also informing our felllow African-Americans though hashtags (that somehow Bernie did something), but as most Americans are disengaged with the 2016 political cycle. Many AAs don't even know about his record; however, these hashtags are leaving a negative impression as if Bernie Sanders is somehow "anti-black" (but very few can actually pinpoint the reason).
Since the Netroots conference, Sanders has worked #BlackLivesMatter rhetoric into his speeches, and reached out to activists. But according the most recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, non-white Democratic voters give Hillary Clinton a net favorable rating of 77 points. Sanders’ net rating is just 19 points. Some of that is a function of Sanders lower name ID, but 23 percent of non-white voters view Sanders negatively – and only 9 percent view Clinton that way.
Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
I treat each person as I would treat myself - equally. Bernie Sanders has done nothing to deserve the disrespect some BLM members have shown during his oft-times unpopular life sticking up for people like you and me. For myself, it is a debt that cannot be repaid and I will defend him to the end.
4. I am asking you to hold Hillary Clinton and 17 announced Republican candidates accountable just like Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders. I understand it is a political risk to directly confront Hillary Clinton. Not only would it mean going face-to-face protesting Hillary, but the Congressional Black Democratic establishment that more or less is in lockstep behind her. And then, there is the dreaded "Sister Souljah" moment.
BLM's reluctance to take on the current Democratic frontrunner in New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Des Moines, IA has raised eyebrows. BLM's muted response to HRC's a couple of days late and ONLINE rhetoric has raised even more, especially vs. the Clintons' reputation for rewarding friends and shunning enemies.
5. Remember, we are all on the same team. We cannot agree on everything. That is impossible as human beings. However, we can have many more issues in common, than not and there is no excuse why shouldn't be able work together to formulate meaningful policy resolutions.