Most of us have seen the video of the impassioned speech that Political Activist Rapper Killer Mike gave to introduce Bernie at his rally in Atlanta last night. It could very well be a game changer in opening up support for Bernie in the Black community. The powerful endorsement from Killer Mike will appeal to many younger PoC.
abcnews.go.com…
The rapper, who admits he has a “flare for curse words,” announced his support for Sanders months ago. He told the crowd of 5,000 screaming Sanders fans at the Fox Theater in downtown Atlanta, “I have said in many a rap that I don’t trust the church or the government -- Democrat or Republicans -- but after spending five hours with someone who has spent the last fifty years...fighting for your life and mine, I can tell you that I am very proud today to announce the next President of the United States.”
Earlier in the day, the two men visited a soul food diner and shared a meal of fried chicken, macaroni and yams. They talked about their mutual admiration for Noam Chomsky and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. They were interrupted on occasion by surprised fans, but mostly talked among themselves. “It was just a conversation between two angry radical guys, one 74 and white and one 40 and black and finding common ground,” the musician told reporters before the evening rally.
Killer Mike told reporters that he will do everything humanly possible to help elect Bernie Sanders:
“At this point in time we have something far better for our community than what the Clintons are offering,” the musician continued. "Bernie Sanders is the only candidate right now, he is the absolute only candidate where if you line up his political campaign, next to the words of Jesus Christ, it lines up. It lines up."
I can imagine that last paragraph resonating with many elders in the Black Community as well.