Alexander writes: "I am grateful that Bernie Sanders has called for a
political revolution, and that millions are responding with energy,
enthusiasm and a genuine desire to build a movement that will give our
nation a chance at having a real democracy where people actually count more
than corporate dollars. But the truth is that the political revolution did
not begin with Bernie Sanders and it certainly will not end with him -
whether or not he is elected."
Professor Michelle Alexander. (photo: NewJimCrow.com)
If a Political Revolution Is Born, It Will Have Little to Do With Bernie or
Hillary, but Everything to Do With Us
By Michelle Alexander, Michelle Alexander's Facebook Page
19 February 16
This is the last post that I intend to write about the primaries for quite
awhile. I am sharing this article because it makes two important points that
seem to be lost in all the sensational media coverage of Hillary vs Bernie:
1. Although Bernie ultimately voted for the 1994 crime bill, he argued
strenuously in opposition to it on the floor of Congress, calling it a
"punishment bill" and chastised legislators for their obsession with proving
their toughness on crime while millions of people were going hungry and
sleeping on the streets. He said "let's not keep putting poor people into
jail and disproportionately punishing blacks." This was around the same time
Hillary was calling black children "super-predators" and saying they must be
"brought to heel." Bernie reportedly voted for the 1994 crime bill only
because the Violence Against Women Act was attached. I wish he had voted
against the bill. But I think it ought to be acknowledged that while our
nation was awash in "get tough" mania, Bernie stood up and spoke out against
a bill that aimed to escalate the wars on poor communities of color.
2. Despite all evidence to the contrary, the media still seems to act
as though there is some real question whether Bernie has been a steadfast
supporter of civil and human rights throughout his life. This article ought
to end that debate. Whether or not one agrees with every position Bernie has
taken throughout his political career, there is not doubt of his
longstanding commitment to civil rights.
This is my last post about the primaries for awhile because I fear the
discussions are too often toxic and unproductive. There is much more that I
could say about this election, but the conversation that I most want to have
right now doesn't have to do with Bernie or Hillary. What I most want to
talk about is this: What kind of revolution do we think we want and need?
And what, exactly, are we willing to do to bring it to life?
I am grateful that Bernie Sanders has called for a political revolution, and
that millions are responding with energy, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to
build a movement that will give our nation a chance at having a real
democracy where people actually count more than corporate dollars. But the
truth is that the political revolution did not begin with Bernie Sanders and
it certainly will not end with him -- whether or not he is elected. And it's
also true that we need much more than a political revolution; we also need a
moral, cultural, and spiritual revolution -- an awakening to the dignity and
value of each and every one of us no matter who we are, where we came from,
or what we've done.
We saw this revolutionary spirit on the streets of Ferguson, Baltimore and
beyond when signs were held high saying "Black Lives Matter" even as tear
gas flowed. We saw this revolutionary spirit when undocumented students
literally risked everything by coming out of the shadows to protest mass
deportation. We saw this revolutionary spirit when thousands flooded the
streets in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, calling for an end to
corporate exploitation and greed -- greed that not only caused a global
economic crisis but that is driving climate change and threatening life on
the planet itself.
It is this revolutionary spirit -- a revolutionary love for all people and
for life itself -- that will ultimately determine our collective fate. The
work of defining and building this revolution will remain exactly the same
no matter who is elected president. This is not to say the election doesn't
matter. It matters a great deal. But whether or not a bold and beautiful
revolution is born has nothing to do with Bernie, Hillary, Trump or any
other candidate. It has everything to do with us -- whether we, as a people,
decide that we will no longer play politics as usual and will dare to
imagine that we can make America what it must become. The odds are against
us, for sure, but we are destined to lose in the long run if we never muster
the courage to stand up for what we truly believe and build a multi-racial,
multi-ethnic nonviolent army of artists, activists, teachers, health care
workers, formerly incarcerated people, currently incarcerated people,
parents, students, elderly people, academics, hourly workers, health care
workers, and everyone of conscience who is willing to bring an end to the
politics of punitiveness and division, and birth a new America.
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
Professor Michelle Alexander. (photo: NewJimCrow.com)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=949470718474219&id=1683044
09924191https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=949470718474219&id
=168304409924191
If a Political Revolution Is Born, It Will Have Little to Do With Bernie or
Hillary, but Everything to Do With Us
By Michelle Alexander, Michelle Alexander's Facebook Page
19 February 16
his is the last post that I intend to write about the primaries for quite
awhile. I am sharing this article because it makes two important points that
seem to be lost in all the sensational media coverage of Hillary vs Bernie:
1. Although Bernie ultimately voted for the 1994 crime bill, he argued
strenuously in opposition to it on the floor of Congress, calling it a
"punishment bill" and chastised legislators for their obsession with proving
their toughness on crime while millions of people were going hungry and
sleeping on the streets. He said "let's not keep putting poor people into
jail and disproportionately punishing blacks." This was around the same time
Hillary was calling black children "super-predators" and saying they must be
"brought to heel." Bernie reportedly voted for the 1994 crime bill only
because the Violence Against Women Act was attached. I wish he had voted
against the bill. But I think it ought to be acknowledged that while our
nation was awash in "get tough" mania, Bernie stood up and spoke out against
a bill that aimed to escalate the wars on poor communities of color.
2. Despite all evidence to the contrary, the media still seems to act
as though there is some real question whether Bernie has been a steadfast
supporter of civil and human rights throughout his life. This article ought
to end that debate. Whether or not one agrees with every position Bernie has
taken throughout his political career, there is not doubt of his
longstanding commitment to civil rights.
This is my last post about the primaries for awhile because I fear the
discussions are too often toxic and unproductive. There is much more that I
could say about this election, but the conversation that I most want to have
right now doesn't have to do with Bernie or Hillary. What I most want to
talk about is this: What kind of revolution do we think we want and need?
And what, exactly, are we willing to do to bring it to life?
I am grateful that Bernie Sanders has called for a political revolution, and
that millions are responding with energy, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to
build a movement that will give our nation a chance at having a real
democracy where people actually count more than corporate dollars. But the
truth is that the political revolution did not begin with Bernie Sanders and
it certainly will not end with him -- whether or not he is elected. And it's
also true that we need much more than a political revolution; we also need a
moral, cultural, and spiritual revolution -- an awakening to the dignity and
value of each and every one of us no matter who we are, where we came from,
or what we've done.
We saw this revolutionary spirit on the streets of Ferguson, Baltimore and
beyond when signs were held high saying "Black Lives Matter" even as tear
gas flowed. We saw this revolutionary spirit when undocumented students
literally risked everything by coming out of the shadows to protest mass
deportation. We saw this revolutionary spirit when thousands flooded the
streets in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, calling for an end to
corporate exploitation and greed -- greed that not only caused a global
economic crisis but that is driving climate change and threatening life on
the planet itself.
It is this revolutionary spirit -- a revolutionary love for all people and
for life itself -- that will ultimately determine our collective fate. The
work of defining and building this revolution will remain exactly the same
no matter who is elected president. This is not to say the election doesn't
matter. It matters a great deal. But whether or not a bold and beautiful
revolution is born has nothing to do with Bernie, Hillary, Trump or any
other candidate. It has everything to do with us -- whether we, as a people,
decide that we will no longer play politics as usual and will dare to
imagine that we can make America what it must become. The odds are against
us, for sure, but we are destined to lose in the long run if we never muster
the courage to stand up for what we truly believe and build a multi-racial,
multi-ethnic nonviolent army of artists, activists, teachers, health care
workers, formerly incarcerated people, currently incarcerated people,
parents, students, elderly people, academics, hourly workers, health care
workers, and everyone of conscience who is willing to bring an end to the
politics of punitiveness and division, and birth a new America.
http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
