Sen. Bernie Sanders is just a few short weeks into his 2020 presidential campaign and has already angered some in the social justice community.
While he continues to champion some of his better-known liberal causes, like free college, climate change, “Medicare for all” and a $15-an-hour minimum wage, the Vermont lawmaker apparently draws the line at giving out cash based on skin color.
During a radio interview with Charlamagne Tha God on Monday, Sanders was asked about supporting reparations for African-Americans.
“What do we mean by reparations?” he asked. “To my mind, it means we have to deal with the fact that there is enormous disparity between the black community and the white community. And that issue has got to be addressed.”
“I think they mean some type of economic empowerment to the African-American community,” Charlamagne explained.
“What does that mean, economic empowerment?” the senator asked. “I would do my best to change the banking system so that we pay attention to distressed communities that people get the loans that they need, to make the investments they need.”
“Cash payouts?” the radio host asked.
“No,” Sanders replied.
“You mean just a check to every African-American?” he asked, attempting to clarify. “Well then there’s a check to every Native American … I think the way we go forward is we build America. There are distressed communities — white communities — distressed Latino communities.”
That was apparently not the answer many were hoping for and Twitter users scorched the Independent 2020 candidate for his stand on the issue.
I do not understand why this is answer is so difficult for all of the candidates.
— Trey (@Trey_but_evil) March 4, 2019
Sad I liked him in 2016, definitely not voting for him this time. He’s really out of touch
— Hales Yeah? (@HaleyPassion) March 4, 2019
Makes sense if he wants to reach out to black voters. What doesnt make sense is his lack of thought around what he was going to say regarding issues that are important to that audience
— Fidelitycastro (@FidelityCastro) March 4, 2019
I support reparations in the form of an economic stimulus package that’s puts more money in to schools in Black urban & rural communities, job training programs, tax incentives for business owners, community trust program w/police, help with car and home purchasing, etc.
— Jared Barnes (@MrJaredBarnes) March 4, 2019
No reparations no vote simple as that
— CarbonGod (@CarbonGod_) March 4, 2019
Bernie Sanders was on the Breakfast Club, and Charlamange brought up the issue of reparations and pointed out that Black ppl were specifically targeted with discrimination so we need specific assistance. And Bernie start talking about helping ALL people.
No Bernie #ByeBernie pic.twitter.com/kmQYEGXJxd
— Tariq Nasheed ?? (@tariqnasheed) March 4, 2019
Right, what’s wrong with helping a specific group who needs it???? #ByeBernie
— heartmycurls (@heartmycurls) March 4, 2019
Bernie just giving us the liberal version of “all lives matter”. Shaun King, please come get your boy.
— Freed Huey ?? (@Philly_Panther) March 4, 2019
The interview and the issue sparked much reaction on twitter as many debated whether the idea was even possible.
This is a hard question for anyone to answer. Like how would reparations even work, realistically speaking?
— Witchy Loner (@WitchyLoner) March 4, 2019
Right. People want the money but don’t want to discuss the logistics of it.
— Petty Ruxbin (@Steward2778) March 4, 2019
Can the country even afford that in cash? I assume they’d had to borrow the money. Hilarious.
— Marlena Jareaux (@MJareaux) March 4, 2019
Monthly checks in the form of reparations is counter productive.
— Jared Barnes (@MrJaredBarnes) March 4, 2019
Dc public schools throw money at the problem and he results do not improve. Horrible idea
— @waterboiler (@core_s22) March 4, 2019
I’ll vote for the candidate that will end institutionalized racism, that’s a better gamble than reparations. If we get the justice and equality for Black people, the next step will naturally be reparations. Asking the gov’t for repar. is not the same as asking mom for lunch money
— West (@westunrest) March 4, 2019
It wouldn’t. It would cause soooooo muuuuuuch moooore hate towards us.
— Chanel Mane (@crab_rangucci_) March 4, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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