Why Precisely Is Bernie Sanders Against Reparations? [TheAtlantic.com]

Sanders is a realist.  He calls himself a Democratic Socialist (that is what FDR was).  He is what a Democrat used to be, before average Democrats morphed into Republicans (see HRC).  Plus what on earth is wrong with being a socialist - and caring about all people.  Political, Political, Political Hit Job.   

If this country is going to give reparations, we should be giving reparations to the original Native Americans (their destruction in America should be obvious to anyone), to the poor white Europeans who were sold in America as indentured servants and slaves for the crime of poverty and also Black Africans who where captured by Africans in Africa and sold as slaves to Masters in America.  

Do I think reparations are possible or even helpful?   Absolutely not.  What is possible?   Voting for Senator Sanders who is our only chance to revitalize our neighborhoods especially for those who are poor, minority and disadvantaged.  Whether that be in urban areas or blighted rural zones.  

When I went to medical school, I couldn't get any scholarships for disadvantaged students (I almost couldn't go to school at all even though I was accepted - because my white, parents who had lived on welfare my entire life would not fill out the FAFSA - you see though child welfare had removed me from my gun wielding, insane dad - they had no place to put me so never emancipated me or put me in Foster Care) while my African American fellow students who's parents were doctors and lawyers did get those scholarships (these students did not grow up in substandard housing - where a brother was lead poisoned, in broken down neighborhoods or schools, on welfare in extreme poverty, eating "mystery meal" or moldy bread meant for animal feed, or sleeping in a snowsuit in the winter. These students hadn't been homeless, they hadn't couch serfed or taken their ACT's after sleeping the night before outside under an old apple tree. There are many children in poverty who do experience these things and skin color doesn't serve as a magical deterrent.  I would not have been upset if it had been Dr. Ben Carson who had gotten those scholarships because he had been disadvantaged.  But at University of Michigan, that isn't usually how it works.  In fact, I couldn't find Dr. Carson anywhere but I wish I had.  I would have had someone I could relate to because we had much in common.   Dr. Carson also  went to the U. of Michigan medical school, but not at the same time I did.  

Reparations are unrealistic.  Who would they be given to?  What would reparations mean?  "We gave you a few bucks, now stop whining and when you use those few bucks up and are still living in the same poverty, in the same broken down neighborhood and there is nothing left to share with your children, don't blame us and our white privilege, our hands are clean, we did our do and now we can comfortably allow your children to languish in poverty, desolation, isolation and eventual annihilation."   Believe me, it doesn't matter what color or ethnicity the kid is, we already allow them to languish in poverty, desolation, isolation and annihilation without any problem or concern.    Now those white supremacists among us won't have to care anymore (they don't now, and it does't matter your color), "We have given you your do."    NO reparations don't make sense.  They would be a bribe with an obvious meaning and outcome "shut up, and move on!"  They would be a bribe to allow the status quo to remain as it is.  But, the status quo isn't sustainable.  

I want someone with a brain and a heart for poverty and it's horror, someone like Senator Sanders who wants to move us all out of poverty.  He realizes that we must all join together whether black, brown, red, yellow, white and yes sisters and brother --- because it has always been the class struggle that unites us against the division of "White Privilege."  

Mr. Coates is a racist.   He tries to divide based on skin color, but as a friend recently told me, you don't have to be white to be a racist (something that is too often forgotten).  We have too much to urgently do for the sake of all children for political attacks on Bernie Sanders.  Plus, I cannot make inroads in rural, mainly caucasian areas with this type of obscene rhetoric.  

If a white person is attacked by cops in their home after walking to that home (as I recently was) when living in a poor, drug infested neighborhood in rural America or is beaten to death in the process, that doesn't matter?  Because that person has "white privilege."  Well, I beg to differ!    This kind of attitude only divides when millions of the poor and disadvantaged need to join up now. Otherwise the poor and disadvantaged, no matter what the color of skin, will have absolutely no hope.  

BUT: I would like to see someone ask Hillary Clinton's about Reparations. Why is she being left off the hook?  One reason --- it's Political.

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