Radical Rapper Killer Mike has
announced his support for Bernie Sanders citing his call for restoring The Voting Rights Act for disenfranchised communities.
This is important and could signal an opening for Bernie Sanders in the Black community. Hillary has a huge advantage with black Americans, but I think as they get to know about Bernie's credibility and consistency and especially when they learn how his policies can help their families and communities significantly there will be interest in him as a candidate.
Haven't heard about Killer Mike? Well, take a look at these creds:
Killer Mike, whose given name is Michael Render, has long been an outspoken figure in the hip-hop community on political issues ranging from racist policing policies to economic inequality and gun violence. His influence has steadily grown since he first debuted on the hip-hop scene in 2000, appearing on Outkast’s seminal album Stankonia.
Earlier this month he threw his hat in the electoral political arena himself, announcing a possible future run for state representative in Georgia’s 55th district.
Recently, Killer Mike has seen great commercial and critical success with his recent projects Rap Music, a solo record, and Run the Jewels 2, his newest album as part of a duo with fellow rapper El-P. That success has provided him a growing megaphone to reach audiences with his political messages critical of corporate capitalism, the prison industrial complex and a democratic system that shuts out large swathes of the population—all issues that Bernie Sanders has been vocal on throughout his political career.
With appearances on networks including CNN and Fox News as well as a series of university lectures on police violence, Killer Mike is earning his reputation as a respected voice on political issues affecting black people in America.
Killer Mike isn't the only one noticing Bernie Sanders long history of Civil Rights, which dates back to the sixties, and his strong voting record on social justice issues; the black activist
Cornel West is also a great admirer of Bernie.
The issues that Bernie has been working on his whole career disproportionately affect black Americans including economic inequality, urban decay, mass unemployment especially youth unemployment and access to voting rights.
The enthusiasm that Bernie is generating at his events is due to people recognizing that Bernie can be trusted and he speaks the truth. When Bernie introduces himself to the black community and they feel the trust for themselves I believe they will look to Bernie as the advocate they have been looking for.