I’m a middle class, white guy!
—
Who am I to suggest whom you should vote for in the Presidential primaries? But because I feel this election is so important I want to share some thoughts with you.
While I try to keep informed of the blatant injustices that minorities face on a daily basis I know it’s different than living them.
This was brought home to me on a personal level when I was talking with a former student.
I bumped into him on the street when he was twenty-five. We got to talking about prejudice and he mentioned how much frustration he had DWB. I knew what he meant but was surprised to hear how often he was being subjected to this blatant racism.
One of my ex-student’s and a close friend grew up very poor, has always worked, raised three children on her own, is a phenomenal mother and has lived paycheck to paycheck all her life.
She is the victim of a cycle of poverty that is racist, inexcusable, and totally reversible.
I recall a discussion I had with the sister of singer Bill Withers. We taught together. I remember her anger when “liberals” would refer to our students as being culturally deprived.
“We’ve got our own culture. Plenty of it. Who are they to say we don’t.” She was talking about educators and activists who were referring to families that were educationally and economically deprived.
Sometimes even the most well meaning people express themselves poorly and don’t quite get it. But at least their hearts are in the right place.
2016 may be one of the most important election years in our country’s history.
I believe the current crop of Republican politicians are a menace to the future of our nation. They are more interested in keeping their party in power then helping the people they were elected to represent.
On the Democratic side I see a different narrative unfolding. There are two candidates who both clearly care about the needs and concerns of all citizens. They are both white and their message should appeal to everyone regardless of color or background .
When they speak it may seem as if they are making an assumption that all African Americans are poor, under educated and in need of assistance. They don’t believe this. However, they are often talking to crowds that share common concerns and they try to address these.
Certainly all people of color do not vote for the same candidates. However there is no question (historically) that members of minority communities often tend to vote as a block on some issues.
The bottom line is that the system has been broken for years, the cycle of poverty still exists and there’s lots of overt prejudice negatively impacting the lives of people of color.
I’m writing from a biased viewpoint. I have an agenda. It’s my belief that Hillary Clinton will get the lion’s share of the black vote and that she is not the best person to advance minority causes.
First a statement and then some questions.
The Clintons and President Obama care about people of color and have done their best to improve quality of life for everyone. But have they been truly effective?
There’s a great sense of pride for everyone black and white that America elected an African-American President. He’s done amazing things despite incredible opposition. However, admitting that he hasn’t been as effective as you’d like in all areas in no way diminishes his legacy.
But for it to continue, poor or underserved African Americans must remain on an upwardly mobile path that leads to sustained prosperity.
Now my questions. I hope you’ll really give them careful consideration.
- Is your life significantly improved since Bill Clinton was President?
- Can you list three things about your life that are better since he was in office?
- How has your day to day life been improved during the Obama presidency?
- Are you working at a job with good pay and benefits or do you struggle to make ends meet?
- Has your housing situation improved?
- Are your children being given a fair shake at school? How would you rate their educational opportunity?
- Is your quality of life substantially better than 25 years ago?
If you really notice a positive difference in your life then vote for the candidate you believe will keep things on track.
Hillary talks change in small steps. She claims to be a progressive who can get things done. Both Hillary and President Obama with the greatest of intentions work within the system.
Bernie Sanders wants to light a fire under the system. He believes that real change will only come with what he calls a “revolution.”
He won’t disassemble the government. He won’t call for anarchy. He won’t reverse all of President Obama’s great policies. He will rework some. Even great ideas like health care need a bit of tinkering with until they run smoothly.
Bernie wants all citizens to become involved and fight the system. Everyone must participate. He knows one man cannot do it alone.
- He will overhaul police training and ensure departments are made up of people similar to the communities they represent.
- He will increase the minimum wage and guarantee everyone can make a decent living.
- He will invest in the country’s infrastructure ensuring thousands of good paying jobs.
- He will provide medical care for all without cost prohibitive deductibles.
- He will revamp the criminal justice system and make certain prisons are not filled with young black men who often have been unfairly targeted and sentenced.
- He will go after the “fat cats” responsible for the mortgage crisis that resulted in so many home foreclosures.
- He will provide a free education from Pre-K through college.
Critics say Bernie Sanders won’t be able to pay for it all, he won’t be able to get bills passed by Congress and that he is unrealistic. When the people are behind you, anything can be accomplished.
Political revolutions are made without violence. When you overhaul a system (without overthrowing it) you find new sources of income to pay for the priorities you have made. You defund fraudulent and wasteful programs. You re-allocate funds where they are most needed!
How have things turned out with Presidents Clinton and Obama? They’ve worked within the system. Have you seen the changes you hoped for? If not consider taking a chance on creating something new.
Imagine your children as proud citizens who are living the American Dream. Imagine knowing that they will never have to spend every day worried about bills, the refrigerator breaking down, affording new sneakers and jeans for the kids or how they will make the next rent payment.
Imagine that instead of worrying about money, you and your family can dream about all you want to accomplish and know that you will be able to make it happen!
Imagine a nation where the color of one’s skin makes no difference to their chances for success in life!
If this is appealing then all I ask is you consider whether joining Bernie Sanders revolution will make this happen. If you think it will, hop on board. Bernie needs both your vote and your help.
Thank you for considering this one white guy’s take on a better future for us all.
And he will end racism in four years. (he said that at the debate the other night)
Sorry but these seem to be empty promises.He means well but he has little or no chance of accomplishing most of what he promises.
Hi Wayne,
If Bernie is elected I believe he will begin to create change that will be long lasting and sustainable.
However it takes a long time to see all the fruits of your endeavors.
Regarding ending racism, I believe both he and Hillary are referring to systemic instituational racism. A good deal of headway can be made by a President who commits to this. However ending racism among individuals is much harder.
You see much less racism among Millennials. Lots of reasons for this but certainly a positive step.
Thanks a lot for your comment. Dave
As long as people believe that and don’t stand up for their rights yes your right things will stay the same but since mega amounts of people don’t feel that way and are willing to stand up for what we know is right the outcome may well not belong to the naysayers. Thanks for listening
Hi, I hope you are right.. I also think we should all stand up for others right.
Thanks forcommenting. Dave
You said … ” He will go after the “fat cats” responsible for the mortgage crisis that resulted in so many foreclosures. “? ” Government policy over many years–particularly the use of the Community Reinvestment Act and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac distorted the housing credit system … They forced lenders to make loans that people could’t afford. The government excessively promoted growth in home ownership without sufficiently regulating the banks and other mortgage lenders that made the bad loans. Seems to me that when the government gets into the middle of things, things go bad. “He will provide a… Read more »
Hi Tom, I agree that government involvement often makes things worse. On the other hand in many cases they are trying to do the right thing. Regarding the housing credit system, etc. no question there were problems … but I believe mortgage brokers preyed on the public by providing loans that sound great to the consumer but that banks no are very dangerous. Banks have there own motivation. There is a term they call people who pay off their credit card bills every month…. “Deadbeat.” How’s that for caring about your customers. In any event I will always opt out… Read more »