Bernie Sanders continues to face questions over his dismissal of the possibility of reparations for slavery. On Friday, at a Black America Forum organized by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, Sanders was questioned by Felicia Perry.
Felicia Perry: “I know you’re scared to say 'black,' I know you’re scared to say 'reparations,' because it seems like every time—”
Sen. Bernie Sanders: “No, hold it. Hold it. Ma’am, I don’t think that’s a fair statement.”
Felicia Perry: “Hold on. I let you finish, as well. But it seems like every time we talk about black people and us getting something for the systematic oppression and exploitation of our people, we have to include every other person of color.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders: “When you have—and you and I may have a disagreement on this, because it’s not just black. It is Latino. There are areas in America, in poor, rural areas, where it’s whites. … So what I have—”
Audience member: “Say 'black!'”
Sen. Bernie Sanders: “I’ve said 'black' 50 times. All right? That’s the 51st time. All right? But it is—but this is a national issue.”
That’s Bernie Sanders responding to an audience member who yelled, “Say 'black!'” at the Black America Forum in Minneapolis. Sanders went on to say he would invest in African-American communities.