Thread by @GregoryMcKelvey

Well the time has come once again. I learned a lot in the 2016 primary both about myself, other people, and Bernie Sanders. I’ve met with him multiple times, spoken in support of him and dedicated over a year of my life to getting him elected. (Thread)

Since that time I’ve seen policies that once seemed radical become mainstream thanks to him. I’ve seen people who started off as liberals become revolutionaries thanks to him.

I’ve also seen problems I saw in both Bernie himself and especially in his supporters become even more apparent, especially in regards to race. I’m not going to be silent about that. That doesn’t make me an establishment shill, it makes me someone who cannot blindly follow a man.

When I started on the campaign I came in as someone who had been organizing in the streets for some time. I had a distrust of those who were not swayed by the death of Trayvon Martin enough to become activated but instead waiting for the words of an old white man to excite.

But that’s what happened. I saw people gain a Bernie family that was beautiful. They fought they learned and organized. Most of them stayed active afterwards. But so many of them remained focused on Bernie, nothing else. I still see that and it really does upset me.

Frankly, there are candidates who are better than Bernie on some aspects. I think many if not all the candidates have a better racial praxis than Bernie. His comments today about why we should look past his race fell way short.

However, I don’t think there is a candidate who has the ability to ignite revolutionary thoughts the same as Bernie. I don’t think there is a candidate who is as diametrically opposed to the evils of capitalism as Bernie.

The political landscape has changed but what has not changed is that socialism will win. It was always going to be that way, with or without Bernie. Revolution will not come from the presidency, it will come from the people.

And so my support for Bernie Sanders the man has weakened but my support for socialism has gotten so much stronger. As of now I still think that Bernie’s campaign gives socialism a crucial boost.

However, I tread lightly as I can see this taking away from what Bernie has helped us build. I worry that organizers will spend their energy on national politics. I worry that activists will excuse his racial praxis.

I worry too much energy will be spent attacking and defending personalities rather than laying the actual groundwork in our communities. I worry that we will become divided in the face of great evil.

Let’s all agree to coalesce behind policies and communities, not a man. Let’s all agree that even if Bernie is elected, revolution will still be necessary.

For those who view Bernie as the hope for our future, just know he won’t be there forever. Your Facebook posts are not enough. In the end, it is always easy to tell who puts in work and who types up posts.

But when you love someone, you tell them when they are wrong. If you love him so much, tell him when he is wrong so that he is as strong as possible. This isn’t a replay of 2016. This is something new. And I would vote for my Pomeranian if it meant no more Trump.

My Bernie friends will say I’m wavering, my never Bernie friends will say I’m still naive. I’m just sitting here like: people are dying, our neighbors are being deported, and the rich are laughing at us. Idc.

I will not join in attacking other candidates or their supporters. I want to continue talking about issues not people. Whoever I support, you’ll see me doing it with work, not posts.

So with that said, let the games begin. I’ll be posting more photos of my child and Pomeranian and continuing doing work in my communities. Let’s get it.

TLDR: Bernie 2020 but I’m still mad at y’all.