So, as I exit my 4-day jail sentence for daring to criticize Bernie, let me reiterate again that Bernie Can't Win -- with the full understanding that those who disagree with me might shut me down again. That’s cool, I’m good with it.
Bernie cannot and will not win because he doesn’t understand how the African American political system works in America. I need to share a few things as a 50-something year-old black pastor’s son who has organized hundreds of African American churches for several decades. Check this:
Bernie has not connected in anyway with us and we are distrustful of his recent rhetoric including this:
“Sanders spoke with radio host Joe Madison, who asked Sanders if, as president, he would make such an apology on behalf of the nation. Sanders spoke of the horrors and evils of slavery and its lasting mark on American history before saying, “As a nation––I don’t think as a president––but as a nation, we have got to apologize for slavery.”
Madison pressed him on whether he’d do is as president. Sanders reiterated that the nation needs to offer up and apology.”
http://www.mediaite.com/...
Sooo--1960-ish. In fairness, Joe lives in that same neighborhood.
Joe is a well-respected advocate in our community and it’s clear that someone shared with Bern that he has great influence. However, an apology for slavery is the last thing I’m interested in and not one of our affiliates is talking about that.
We aren’t talking about marches in the 60s with MLK because much of the Black church was republican at that time. Bernie seemed to march, go home and avoid saying a word about minority issues again. So his 11th hour recognition of all-things-black reminds me of Rand Paul’s HBCU college tour. Paul is now speaking about minimum sentencing but we expect that during election season. However, we will never forget this from Rand:
Question: Would you have voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
Rand Paul: I like the Civil Rights Act in the sense that it ended discrimination in all public domains and I'm all in favor of that.
Questioner: But...?
Rand Paul: (nervous laugh) You had to ask me the "but." um.. I don't like the idea of telling private business owners - I abhor racism - I think it's a bad business decision to ever exclude anybody from your restaurant. But at the same time I do believe in private ownership. But I think there should be absolutely no discrimination on anything that gets any public funding and that's most of what the Civil Rights Act was about to my mind.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
He’s toast -- we heard him - I don’t care how many more minority offices he opens.
The true power-base of black political influence is two-fold:
1. Each church wields absolute power in the black community and voters trust and expect guidance from the clergy. We also have constant contact from our congressional reps and those relationships are deep and personal. My rep has breakfast events with all of the pastors and stay in-touch about legislative matters. It’s a 21st Century Underground Railroad of sorts with a community-based approach to political things.
2. The greatest political issues to African American voters since the beginning of time are:
a. The greatest amount of freedoms (academic, financial, health, voting, policing)
b. Respect - Black lives matter is not new. My great-great grandfathers expressed it when he ran away from his slave owners in South Carolina. It is important to note that one’s silence on Black issues is also considered disrespect.
Older blacks have silenced so long and are accustomed to NOT having a seat at the political table. Consequently, we do politics by “whisper.” Yes, we engage in retail politics at the barber-shop, beauty salons and elsewhere. It’s affectionately called “the Street Committee.”
Hillary is a lock in the black community because she’s worked the system for decades. Bernie’s not in the “Underground Railroad,” and has been unfairly placed in the “Old White-Man-Trying-to-Get-My-Vote” camp and he can’t get out.
It important to note that blacks (like all other groups) are not monolithic voters. I'm talking specifically about the casual voters who shows-up every four years.
I’ll close with this quote to confirm why Hillary with destroy Bern's appeal in minority communities:
According to a Clinton official, the Democratic presidential front-runner will also meet with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
…Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) spokeswoman Candace Randle said lawmakers and the Democratic presidential front-runner will "discuss the CBC’s agenda and policy issues impacting the African-American community."
Clinton’s closed-press meetings with lawmakers will be her first visit to Capitol Hill since formally announcing her presidential campaign in April. However, her campaign team has been in contact with members of each of the caucuses since the start of her candidacy.
...A total of 106 Democrats have already endorsed Clinton for president, including many members of the CBC.
CBC members who have declared support for Clinton include Booker and Reps. Karen Bass (Calif.), Joyce Beatty (Ohio), Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), Emanuel Cleaver (Mo.), Danny Davis (Ill.), Alcee Hastings (Fla.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Hank Johnson (Ga.), John Lewis (Ga.), Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), Charles Rangel (N.Y.), Cedric Richmond (La.), David Scott (Ga.), Terri Sewell (Ala.), Marc Veasey (Texas) and Frederica Wilson (Fla.).
http://thehill.com/...
Bernie reached-out to Sharpton and Jackson – that’s so 1960 and confirms even more that he is so out of touch. Alcee Hastings carries the big stick in South Florida and Corrine Brown delivers in North Florida. If Bernie doesn’t have their support, he can’t win Florida.
Finally, the Street Committee adores all-things Obama. Want to get yourself banished from political influence in the black community? Say something negative about Obama and you’re banished for life. This same community called Hillary a good soldier when she became Obama’s lieutenant at the State and she will be rewarded even more as long as she doesn’t bash Obama.
Bernie on the other-hand has made zero inroads with my community which means he can’t and won’t win. By the way, if I’m banned again for speaking the truth about Bernie, I’ll send my next "Birmingham Letter" from the DK jail. lol
Thanks again for reading my thoughts.