People keep asking why Hillary and her husband have maintained such a large amount of support among non-white voters and POC? Maybe this is why.
Marking the onset of a new phase in the Democratic primary race, African American leaders who support Hillary Clinton unloaded on her opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, accusing him of being "absent" on issues important to African Americans.
"Bernie Sanders as mayor, as a member of the House, as a member of the United States Senate, has been missing in action on issues that are important to the African Americans," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York. "There’s no credibility to the things that are being said at the twilight of his political career."
www.washingtonpost.com/...
Sanders claim to fame and alleged credentials are touted often, but usually they start, revolve, and end around marching with MLK. This has been a core of his stump speech, however many are not impressed for very good reasons.
"He was probably a participant," Dukes said of the March on Washington. "There were many people participating in that march, so what does that mean?"
"I walked in Washington. Thousands of people walked in Washington," she added.
Many have seen this next video. But I think it is worthwhile to actually understand it.
You can’t win support for one accomplishment decades ago, nor does it make you presidential. Hundreds upon hundreds of people marched with king. That doesn’t make them all qualified to be president or speak on the issues affecting non-white communities around the country.
Yes, the former head of the NAACP is backing Bernie. So are a few celebrities, writers, and musicians.
And yes Hillary’s husband signed into law a tragic and horrible piece of legislation. The 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, should be something to hold candidates accountable for.
But you know who voted in favor of it? Not Hillary. Bernie. Yet while bashing Hillary for this piece of legislation, there is some idea that people will forget who actually cast the votes.
John Lewis also marched with King.
That is him there arm in arms with MLK.
He has been a historic icon and leader during the civil rights movement and still today.
It would be foolish to question the credentials, loyalty, or commitment to the black community of one of the Big Six.
His name and history is usually followed by “civil rights leader.” You know who’s name isn’t?
Bernie Sanders.
And yet, here on DailyKos and in the circles of many Sanders supporters, he is nothing but a corporate sellout. An establishment figure who just doesn’t know what is good for him. What could cause such a change for an icon who did so much for our country? He decided that Hillary would be a better president. That was it. He knows about crime bills and prisons. He knows about wall street. And yet he still believes in her.
The Congressional Black Caucus, has also been a leader in supporting the POC community. However, after weighing the facts, they decided overwhelmingly that Hillary was the best person to lead the country. Look what happened next. A hateful outpouring of criticism. No respect. Just disdain that they didn’t support Sanders.
President Obama has unprecedented support for that position with POC. Yet, for all he has done and tried to do what we see now is the exact same thing we see with all the other great leaders of the modern age. He decided Hillary was the best to carry on his work and progress.
Hatred, scorn, and ridicule followed of course. A new purist movement who will use the same terms with him they use for anyone who doesn’t support Bernie. “Sellout”. “Establishment”. “Status Quo”.
Yet Obama, was anything but the status quo. However, his legacy is tarnished, disrespected and spat on, by the same venom we have seen constantly on social media since this election cycle began.
Bill Clinton left the White House when his term ended in 2001. He was wealthy, with all the retirement perks that being in office provide. He could have gone to some wealthy safe haven in the north east. He could have decided to go lounge in the Hamptons. But he didn’t.
He opened an office in Harlem. He opened the office and stayed there. This is why:
In his speech there in 2001, Mr. Clinton said, “Harlem always struck me as a place that was human and alive, where there was a rhythm to life and a song in the heart, where no matter how bad it was, people held up their heads and went on, and where, when things got good, people were grateful and cared about their neighbors.”
www.nytimes.com/...
A DECADE later, when the William J. Clinton Foundation, (one of many set up by the Clinton's to help those in need), needed more space they moved most of the office but still kept the former presidential office there.
It is about outreach. It is about being there in the community. You can’t do that from a comfy office in arguably one of the most non diverse states in the country. Sanders has been an advocate for POC. This is true. However, there is a difference between being an advocate and actually being there.
Hillary addresses issues in the community, while Bernie considers it distractions from a greater message. We have heard this time and time again. Economic equality! Down with the 1%!
And of course your issues, and yours, and yours, those will all be fixed once the economic equality issues are. Yes, we wont’t talk about them right now, because I want to talk about the banks.
That maybe true, and that may not be.
But you don’t win loyalty and support with that message. You don’t win their loyalty by slamming those leaders who HAVE been there their entire lives.