.... And they would not have been murdered if they were white."
Sometimes long-time allies take for granted that people might know where they stand. Bernie's taking nothing for granted now. He's speaking up loudly about racial issues and civil rights to a much larger audience, but with the same consistency he has held in his heart since the days of marching with MLK and being one of the first to stand in the Senate for marriage equality (more detailed stands lower down), and his very American principles: that the vulnerable must be protected and guaranteed equality and safety by their government.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Bernie:
"Violence and brutality of any kind, particularly at the hands of law enforcement sworn to protect and serve their communities, is unacceptable and must not be tolerated... We must reform our criminal justice system. Black lives do matter, and we must value black lives... When I mention a few names, like Sandra Bland or Michael Brown or Rekia Boyd or Eric Garner or Walter Scott or Freddie Gray or Tamir Rice or recently Samuel DuBose, you know and I know that unarmed African Americans have been shot and killed by police forces in a way that never would have happened if they were white.
Economic issues are very important. There are far too many parents of all races in America unable to provide good food and health care to their children because the jobs simply don't exist.
BUT
#BlackLivesMatter , the actual lives of African American children and adults walking down the street is an even higher critical emergency at the moment than any economic plan.
We can do both, but we cannot neglect for a single day the state violence against our nation's people of color walking down the street or driving in their cars.
I know Bernie knows this. He's saying this. And he's always been a man of action, and so he will be a President determined and capable of improving these critical issues.
The vast majority of Bernie supporters, I strongly believe, feel this is a immediate life or death issue that must be dealt with without delay.
We cannot wait until President Sanders has the reigns to tackle these issues.
I'm going to look for actions, demonstrations, or other local activity this weekend, and as often as I can going forward, in which to participate to support the #BlackLivesMatter movement. I hope all Bernie supporters and supporters of other candidates will do the same.
Bernie's been working on equality and race issues for years (just a few highlights):
1962 - Bernie, at age 20, an officer of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) leads a multi-week sit-in to oppose segregation in off-campus housing.
1963 - Bernie attends the March on Washington as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
1996 - Bernie is one of the few votes in Congress against the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.
1998 - Votes to support affirmative action in higher education.
2001 - Votes for a Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender.
March 2006 - Bernie becomes one of the earlier Senators to endorse Barack Obama for President.
Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance.
Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance.
So let's also get out and work for Bernie's campaign so he can work from the inside while we continue working on #BlackLivesMatter, other racial issues, and all important progressive movements from where we can.
Peace & Love ~ Ryvr