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2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Why draw a distinction between the working class and the white working class? [View all]Buckeye_Democrat
(15,035 posts)73. That might be unfair to Sanders, though.
He answered it more directly than Clinton, who skirted around it more cleverly.
Sanders is right that it would be divisive. It might even annoy some non-AA voters who would think, "My ancestors arrived here just a few years ago!" if they think they'll pay higher taxes to pay for it. (I've seen reparations defined in various ways, but a common belief is that it means the government will hand out large checks to African Americans.)
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jan/26/bernie-s/reparations-for-slavery-sanders-obama-clinton/
Clintons position
Clintons recent and past comments suggest her ideas for helping the black community are no different from Sanders and Obamas.
Clinton didnt directly answer the question about reparations at the Iowa Brown & Black Forum, but she also suggested investing in black communities and addressing poverty:
"I think we should start studying what investments we need to make in communities to help individuals and families and communities move forward. And I am absolutely committed to that. There are some good ideas out there. Theres an idea in the Congressional Black Caucus about really targeting federal dollars to communities that have had either disinvestment or no investment, and have had years of being below the poverty level. Thats the kind of thing Id like us to focus on and really help lift people up."
In October 2015, she provided a similar response when asked by the hosts of the BuzzFeed podcast "Another Round":
"Ill tell you what, I think we need to make many more investments in everything from pre-school education to affordable housing, thats my form of trying to give people the chance to be empowered, to make the most out of their God-given potential."
As Fusion pointed out, this was largely Clintons answer in 2000 as well. When she was asked about reparations during her Senate campaign, she said African-Americans deserve an apology for slavery before pivoting to economic conditions.
"But I think that the people I know and the people I work with want us to stay focused on the future, keep our economy going, keep providing good public education, quality affordable health care do the things that will enable people to have the best futures for themselves, and thats what Im committed to doing."
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Why draw a distinction between the working class and the white working class? [View all]
Garrett78
Jan 2017
OP
Because black voters vote solid Dem ticket regardless of any demographic subsets
HoneyBadger
Jan 2017
#1
HoneyBadger's reply clearly suggests that black voters can be taken for granted.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#7
Gore won 90%, Kerry won 88%, Obama won 96% in 2008, 93% in 2012 and Clinton won 88%.
HoneyBadger
Jan 2017
#6
So, black voters should just be written off as "ungettable"- while white voters who vote Republican
EffieBlack
Jan 2017
#37
Because they need to feel better than somebody and it's a tacit acknowledgment
elehhhhna
Jan 2017
#38
And we all know this. A white backlash has been building, as it has throughout US history,...
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#20
I'm nor interested in "winning over" racists. They're welcome if they change their tunes.
MADem
Jan 2017
#32
I agree. And I think it's worth remembering that well-to-do POC often get mistreated in our society.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#35
Historical injustice continues to impact the present. So, no, those owed are not all dead.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#46
I think this is an important point. See post #20. We need to change the narrative.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#22
I'm sure that the Republicans set out to claim those midwesterners. They succeeded.
yardwork
Jan 2017
#24
And she undoubtedly received millions of votes from working class whites. So...
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#15
But we must recognize that not everyone drawing the distinction is doing so maliciously.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#25
I think it is the result of that demographic being one that we got clobbered in. I think we need to
JCanete
Jan 2017
#28
Democrats already speak to the working class and win among the working class.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#29
I think they care more than you think. They are inundated by bullshit about who is making their
JCanete
Jan 2017
#31
I didn't suggest they don't care, just that white identity is a major factor for that segment.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#34
Only the white working class is lectured about their 'white privilege' by liberals
Dems to Win
Jan 2017
#41
Generalizing is being done by those suggesting all working class whites voted for Trump.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#43
A white person working for WalMart for $10/hour is privileged compared to a similarly situated POC
EffieBlack
Jan 2017
#51
Sanders positions was refuted a year ago, all PoC being rich STILL wouldn't eliminate racist effects
uponit7771
Jan 2017
#82
lol...somehow "us" insulting makes a fuckin difference?! That's a RWTP and not even close to reality
uponit7771
Jan 2017
#83
lol, that's like saying the justice system is not unfair to black people because OJ Simpson got free
JI7
Jan 2017
#62
It's a broadly used term, and different people will have, or not have, any intent behind it.
dionysus
Jan 2017
#47
It clarifies a political reality, like making a distinction between Evangelicals...
Buckeye_Democrat
Jan 2017
#59
I'm not saying you do. But that's what's so nasty about dog whistling and implicit bias.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#66
And now that I've read all of the Fusion article, I can certainly recommend it to others.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#71
Most Americans don't view reparations on the same footing as current problems.
Buckeye_Democrat
Jan 2017
#79
As I said, it's not an easy sell, but it needs to be done. The framing is key.
Garrett78
Jan 2017
#80