Video: Who really stands up for African Americans?
- Text by Alex King
“The Bernie Sanders campaign is a loooooove train.” explains Cornell West. “Get in on the movement.”
With the greatest African-American academic of our generation and one of the world’s foremost radical intellectuals coming out for him, you might expect Sanders to be making strong headway among black voters.
But Bernie is still struggling to dislodge Hillary Clinton’s dominance among the African American community. Although Sanders was boosted by winning 30% of the African American vote in Michigan, exit polls in Mississippi’s Democratic primary showed 89% of black voters supported Clinton and Sanders has struggled to win above 15% of the vote with black people in the south.
As the race for the democratic nomination comes down to the final rounds, the African American vote looks increasingly like it could be the decisive factor.
But which candidate has really earned those votes? Who has the best track record on issues that disproportionately affect the black community, like police brutality; access to healthcare and education; and the prison industrial complex?
Comedian Matt Orfalea has entered the fray with his video mashup of Sander’s high-profile supporters, including Killer Mike, Harry Belafonte, Spike Lee and Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner, who featured in Sanders’ brilliant campaign video It’s Not Over (below).
Orfalea’s video polemic comes hot on the heels of his brilliant explainer on the Sanders campaign, Do The Bernie Bongo (below).
In just three-and-a-half minutes, his bongo rap tells you more about Bernie Sanders’ all-conquering presidential campaign than any nightly news report.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Is the UK ready for a Kabaddi boom?
Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi — Watched by over 280 million in India, the breathless contact sport has repeatedly tried to grip British viewers. Ahead of the Kabaddi World Cup being held in Wolverhampton this month, Kyle MacNeill speaks to the gamechangers laying the groundwork for a grassroots scene.
Written by: Kyle MacNeill
One photographer’s search for her long lost father
Decades apart — Moving to Southern California as a young child, Diana Markosian’s family was torn apart. Finding him years later, her new photobook explores grief, loss and connection.
Written by: Miss Rosen
As DOGE stutters, all that remains is cringe
Department of Gargantuan Egos — With tensions splintering the American right and contemporary rap’s biggest feud continuing to make headlines, newsletter columnist Emma Garland explains how fragile male egos stand at the core of it all.
Written by: Emma Garland
Photo essay special: Despite pre-Carnival anxiety, Mardi Gras 2025 was a joyous release for New Orleans
A city celebrates — Following a horrific New Year’s Day terror attack and forecasts for extreme weather, the Louisiana city’s marquee celebration was pre-marked with doubt. But the festival found a city in a jubilant mood, with TBow Bowden there to capture it.
Written by: Isaac Muk
From his skating past to sculpting present, Arran Gregory revels in the organic
Sensing Earth Space — Having risen to prominence as an affiliate of Wayward Gallery and Slam City Skates, the shredder turned artist creates unique, temporal pieces out of earthly materials. Dorrell Merritt caught up with him to find out more about his creative process.
Written by: Dorrell Merritt
In Bristol, pub singers are keeping an age-old tradition alive
Ballads, backing tracks, beers — Bar closures, karaoke and jukeboxes have eroded a form of live music that was once an evening staple, but on the fringes of the southwest’s biggest city, a committed circuit remains.
Written by: Fred Dodgson