Parle Mag
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Diddy Trial
  • Lifestyle
  • Interviews
  • Contact Us
  • Team Parlé
  • Podcast
  • Advertising
Facebook 0 Likes
Twitter 0 Followers
Instagram 0 Followers
Pinterest 0 Followers
LinkedIn 0
Reddit 0 Subscribers
TikTok 0
0
0
0
0
0
Parle Mag
Subscribe
Parle Mag
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Books
    • Celebrity
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Sports
    • Television News
  • Diddy Trial
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Business
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Op-Ed
    • Politics
    • Relationships
    • Travel
  • Interviews
Featured Categories
black countries
About Parlé
4 Posts
View Posts
Taye Diggs reads a book in an episode of private practice.
About Parle Magazine
4 Posts
View Posts
About the Editor
3 Posts
View Posts
Ad Test
1 Posts
View Posts
Posts
  • K Camp Kiss 6 Tour 1
    K Camp Announces 27-City ‘Kiss 6’ Tour, Beginning In August
    • June 18, 2025
  • A Guide to Checking Up On Your Loved Ones With Intention 2
    A Guide to Checking Up On Your Loved Ones With Intention
    • June 18, 2025
  • What Health Tests Should Black Men Take Before 40? Here’s A List 3
    What Health Tests Should Black Men Take Before 40? Here’s A List
    • June 18, 2025
  • K Camp Kiss 6 Tour

    K Camp Announces 27-City ‘Kiss 6’ Tour, Beginning In August

    • June 18, 2025
    View Post
  • A Guide to Checking Up On Your Loved Ones With Intention

    A Guide to Checking Up On Your Loved Ones With Intention

    • June 18, 2025
    View Post
  • What Health Tests Should Black Men Take Before 40? Here’s A List

    What Health Tests Should Black Men Take Before 40? Here’s A List

    • June 18, 2025
    View Post
  • Politics

Bernie Sanders Struggles With The Black Vote, Despite Long History

  • April 10, 2016
  • M. Skylar Ezell
Bernie Sanders
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Rock the (Black) Vote! – Part 2 of 3
Black folks don’t #FeelTheBern – But Why?

It’s that time again, y’all! Every four years, politicians jockeying to be the next president of the United States dust off their Black people black book and show us how much they care about the African-American community, while also trying to convince us that our issues are their issues.   This year the democrats, Senator Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are vying hard.

Join Parlé Magazine for a three part series where we’ll get behind the bluster to unearth the truth about the candidates’ records with the African-American community. In our second installment we focus on Senator Bernie Sanders, the self-described “Democratic Socialist” running for the Democratic nomination.

Why is Bernie Sanders, a lifelong progressive and friend of the Civil Rights movement, struggling to gain ground with the African-American community?

If you’re in Michigan and can’t find any TUMS or Imodium, it’s probably because Bernie Sanders gave Hillary Clinton’s campaign a serious case of heartburn following his surprise victory in the Michigan Democratic primary on Tuesday. Sanders edged out Clinton with 49.8 percent of the total vote. Despite Sanders’ win, Clinton still walked away with 65 percent of Michigan’s Black vote. But why is Sanders, a lifelong progressive and friend of the Civil Rights movement, struggling to gain ground with the African-American community?

Advertisement

 

The youngest child born to Polish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Sanders first became active in social justice when he was a student at the University of Chicago in the 1960s. There he joined the Congress of Racial Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee as a protest organizer. Both organizations played a critical role in the success of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. In 1962 he led a student protest of the university’s segregated housing policy and was quoted as saying, “”We feel it is an intolerable situation when Negro and white students of the university cannot live together in university-owned apartments.”  This was the first Civil Rights sit-in in Chicago’s history.

 

Advertisement

In 1963 Bernie Sanders joined the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other Civil Rights activists for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where King would give his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech. Later that year Sanders was arrested during an anti-segregation protest back in Chicago. Long before John Crawford, Tamir Rice, and Sandra Bland became household names after dying as a result of police violence, Sanders actively protested against police brutality, even drawing the ire of local law enforcement.

 

Then there’s the infamous Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (aka The 1994 Crime Bill, “3 Strikes”). This law, sponsored by then-president Bill Clinton and publicly supported by his wife (#SuperPredators), is credited for having a disproportionate adverse affect on Americans of color. While Bernie ultimately voted for the bill, he only did so to ensure protections for domestic violence victims, which were also part of the bill.

Advertisement

 

However, Sanders had insight into the long-term ramifications of the bill as a whole and warned his congressional colleagues of its unintended impact. Though his warnings went unheeded and the law led to mass incarceration of minorities on a massive scale, Sanders proved that he hadn’t forgotten his social justice roots. Even when a campaign event was taken over by #BlackLivesMatter activists, Sanders allowed protesters to have the floor and air their grievances against the justice system (and idiot cop wannabes in Florida).

 

Advertisement

With receipts like these, one would think that Sanders would have support with the Black community on lock. However that support is small among Black millennials and almost non-existent for older African-Americans. Even with outspoken advocates like Dr. Cornel West and rapper/activist Killer Mike, Sanders can’t seem to break Hillary Clinton’s death grip on the Black vote.


Rock the (Black) Vote! – Part 1 of 3 | Is Hillary Clinton a champion for Black Americans?


Part of the reason may be because Sanders and his positions are still largely unknown to Americans of all demographics. There’s been an uptick in name recognition for Sanders the past few months, but the Clinton brand has been around for decades. Sanders is like your favorite neighborhood café. It has amazing food and a friendly staff who know you on a first name basis. Clinton on the other hand is McDonalds, churning out cheap Big Macs soaked in preservatives and McRibs made out of this stuff.  The food’s crap, but it’s cheap and there’s been one on every corner for your entire life.

 

Advertisement
Bernie Sanders
Senator Bernie Sanders joins a man for a selfie

Then there’s the fact that though Sanders has deep roots in civil rights and social justice, it appears that he has been largely absent from the fight for some time. Sanders never gave up on his fight for social and economic justice, but he hasn’t been as present in various protests and demonstrations for some time. Gone are the days of Sanders getting into the thick of protesting, which makes sense given that he is an elected official with a family and responsibilities to consider. However this absence from the front lines allowed Sanders, a vocal but largely unrecognizable Civil Rights figure, to fade into the background. The Clintons on the other hand are flashy and eager to hit a public relations gold mine at every cookout and Bonner Brothers Hair Show they can finagle their way into.

 

But there’s been another cost to Sanders recess from the front lines – He’s out of touch. During the CNN Democratic debate in Flint, MI, co-moderator Don Lemon asked the candidates what their “racial blind spots” were. Lemon sought to have the candidates dig deeper into how they felt their individual experiences and/or White privilege might have made it harder for them to recognize the injustices people of color face every day. While Clinton gave a well-thought out answer about her mother sending her out into the community to learn about the world around her, Sanders floundered.

Advertisement

“When you’re white you don’t know what it’s like to be living in a ghetto, you don’t know what it’s like to be poor, you don’t know what it’s like to be hassled when you walk down the street, or you get dragged out of a car. And I believe that as a nation in 2016 we must be firm in making it clear: We will end institutional racism and reform a broken criminal justice system.”

While some understood the points Bernie Sanders was trying to make, others felt as though the senator’s answer was demeaning.  By making general statements about Blacks living in ghettos and Whites being middle to upper class, Sanders painted himself as a White savior out of touch with the strides that the Black community has made despite countless obstacles. Many viewers gave Sanders a collective side eye on social media.

 

So how does a 74-year-old, Jewish senator representing Vermont make inroads with the Black community?  Sound off in the comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook or @ParleMag on Twitter.

Advertisement
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • #Feelthebern
  • Bernie Sanders
  • Bernie Sanders and Dr. King
  • Bernie Sanders and the black vote
M. Skylar Ezell

M. Skylar Ezell is a writer and communications pro whose gift for storytelling has served him well throughout his career. Skylar is a Southern gent and a proud graduate of Georgia State University (Go Panthers!). He is an avid reader, comic book enthusiast and political junkie whose work will one day make it to your bookshelf and TV screen. Follow @Skylar_Writer for all of his Twitter ramblings and hashtag philosophies. For more information and freelancing opportunities, visit www.SkylarEzell.com. He promises it is safe for work...mostly.

Previous Article
Christon Gray
  • Interviews

Christon Gray – A Dope, Soulful Singer/Rap Artist Makes One Last First Impression

  • April 10, 2016
  • Kevin Benoit
View Post
Next Article
Anthony Brown
  • Interviews

Anthony Brown Sheds Self-Doubt To ‘Bless The Lord’

  • April 11, 2016
  • Kevin Benoit
View Post
You May Also Like
Meet Pope Leo XIV
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics

Meet Pope Leo XIV: New American Pope Leo XIV Has Haitian and Creole Roots

  • Stacey Mickles
  • May 11, 2025
who could be the first black pope
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Op-Ed
  • Politics

Who Could Be The First Black Pope? Two Cardinals Who Could Become The Next Pope

  • Stacey Mickles
  • May 6, 2025
Donald Trump Hip-Hop Story includes Sean Combs and Jennifer Lopez
View Post
  • Entertainment News
  • Politics

How Hip-Hop’s Love Affair With Donald Trump Turned into a Political Rebellion

  • Darrell
  • July 3, 2024
Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, Philonise Floyd, brother of George F
View Post
  • Entertainment News
  • Politics

Biden’s Famous Advocates: 5 Black Celebrities Who Have Endorsed Joe Biden

  • Darrell
  • July 3, 2024
Fearless Funding for black women
View Post
  • Entertainment News
  • Politics

[UPDATE] Fearless Funding Has Come to an Halt After U.S. Circuit Judge Disagrees With Court Decision

  • Jasmine Yates
  • October 2, 2023
Quavo advocates for gun violence
View Post
  • Entertainment News
  • Politics

Quavo Will Advocate Against Gun Violence After the Shooting of TakeOff

  • Jasmine Yates
  • September 20, 2023
Kamala Harris Celebrates Hip-Hop 50
View Post
  • Entertainment News
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics

Kamala Harris is Celebrating Hip Hop 50 in an Interesting Fashion

  • Willie Plaza
  • September 9, 2023
Metro Cards NYC
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics

New NYC Metro Cards Inspired By Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary

  • Willie Plaza
  • August 5, 2023
Recent Posts
  • The Childcare Cartel cast
    [FIRST LOOK] Meet the Talented All-Black Women Cast of “The Childcare Cartel”
    • June 18, 2025
  • The Best Long-Lasting Braided Hairstyles for Black Hair
    The Best Long-Lasting Braided Hairstyles for Black Hair
    • June 17, 2025
  • Hayao Miyazaki movies The Boy and the Heron
    5 Must Watch Masterpieces by Hayao Miyazaki
    • June 17, 2025
Categories
Entertainment News
5727 Posts
View Posts
Interviews
860 Posts
View Posts
Lifestyle
2739 Posts
View Posts
Featured Posts
  • K Camp Kiss 6 Tour 1
    K Camp Announces 27-City ‘Kiss 6’ Tour, Beginning In August
    • June 18, 2025
  • A Guide to Checking Up On Your Loved Ones With Intention 2
    A Guide to Checking Up On Your Loved Ones With Intention
    • June 18, 2025
  • What Health Tests Should Black Men Take Before 40? Here’s A List 3
    What Health Tests Should Black Men Take Before 40? Here’s A List
    • June 18, 2025
  • The Childcare Cartel cast 4
    [FIRST LOOK] Meet the Talented All-Black Women Cast of “The Childcare Cartel”
    • June 18, 2025
  • The Best Long-Lasting Braided Hairstyles for Black Hair 5
    The Best Long-Lasting Braided Hairstyles for Black Hair
    • June 17, 2025

RSS Parle Mag

  • K Camp Announces 27-City ‘Kiss 6’ Tour, Beginning In August
  • A Guide to Checking Up On Your Loved Ones With Intention
  • What Health Tests Should Black Men Take Before 40? Here’s A List
  • [FIRST LOOK] Meet the Talented All-Black Women Cast of “The Childcare Cartel”
  • The Best Long-Lasting Braided Hairstyles for Black Hair
Parle Mag
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Team Parlé
  • Podcast
  • Advertising
  • Parle Endeavors
  • Parle New York
  • Privacy Policy
parlemag.com - The Voice of The Culture

Input your search keywords and press Enter.