The last 24 hours have been an important test for Bernie Sanders and his presidential campaign.
The events at Netroots Nation have been covered here at length.
What has gotten less attention is black activists using the Twitter hashtag #BernieSoBlack as a pushback against some of his aggressive supporters insisting, basically, "He's your ally and he marched with MLK so shut up."
It was a clever way of using humor and an important reminder of who truly controls the narrative about the black experience. (Hint: it isn't whites, whether we fancy ourselves allies or not.)
So I am so proud of Senator Sanders for using Twitter - the preferred method of communication for the activists that are trying to get his attention - to respond today.
Not with a lecture. Not with a weak tea defense of yesterday's events.
But with two straight and to the point tweets that say, "Hey. I got the message. I stand with you.":
This is what we all need to do. Listen and respond in a way that shows that you heard.
I'm proud of Senator Sanders. He Said Her Name. It's not everything that needs to be said and done, but it's an important beginning.