Bernie Sanders has a simple solution for Black people interacting with police officers: respect them.
While at the Second Step Presidential Justice Forum at Benedict College, Sanders held a Q&A session with students. One student from the HBCU asked the Vermont congressman for advice for interacting with police officers.
“If I was your son, what advice would you give me the next time I’m pulled over by a police officer?”
The presidential hopeful responded in a way only a lifetime of white male privilege would allow. According to Sanders, if you respect officers you won’t get shot.
“I would do my best to identify who that police officer is in a polite way,” Sanders said. “Ask him or her for their name. I would respect what they are doing so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head.”
HBCU Student asks @BernieSanders, “If I were your son, what advice would you give to me the next time I’m pulled over by a police officer”?
Bernie: “Identify who the police officer is – and I would respect what they are doing so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head”. pic.twitter.com/Ks5VKxQrOC
— Jamiah (@NJPrince21) October 26, 2019
The progressive Democrat then acknowledged that police officers do need to be held accountable.
“I would also be very mindful of the fact that as a nation we have got to hold police officers accountable for the actions they commit,” he said. " I would also defend my rights and know my rights and make sure, if possible, the police officer's camera is on."
After the exchange was posted to Twitter, many had strong feelings about Sanders’ answer to a question many Black people have on their minds.
Some were critical of the response, citing many instances of police brutality that have gained national attention.
Oooohhhhh, so all those victims of police shootings were… just asking for it… Gotcha
— Jackie Jung (@ProfJackie) October 26, 2019
Philando Castile would like a word but he was shot in the head by a police officer he was respecting
— fightthepower (@heathencandor) October 26, 2019
This is… not a good answer on so many different levels.
Like really not good.
— Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) October 26, 2019
Others supported Sanders and believed his remarks were accurate.
Anybody thinking Bernie was wrong for this answer is looking for a reason to validate their hate/dislike for him.
His answer was the answer most of us tell our black sons.
But the most important thing @BernieSanders said:
WE, ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, MUST HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE.— #Residue4Bernie???? #WakandaForever???? (@dawnsaffron) October 27, 2019
The rest of the quote: know your rights, defend your rights & make sure the police officer's camera is on. Bottom line, many police are racist & they will shoot black & brown folks for no authentic reason. We need to change our entire "justice" system, the onus is not on the son.
— 2becourageous (@2becourageous1) October 26, 2019
The forum was held all weekend at the South Carolina HBCU, with many democratic presidential candidates attending, including Joe Biden.
When the former vice president was asked the same question by a woman in another session, he had a very different answer than his opponent.
“If you were my daughter, you’d be a Caucasian girl and you wouldn’t be pulled over,” Biden said. “That’s what’s wrong”
Biden later tweeted out the clip, saying he will put an end to institutional racism.
Institutional racism should no longer exist. As president, I'll put forward change to help put an end to it. pic.twitter.com/DQtPzGIfNq
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 27, 2019
Other presidential hopefuls, Cory Booker, John Delaney, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Julian Castro and Tulsi Gabbard were also in attendance.
The college also hosted President Trump for the event, where he received the Bipartisan Justice Award. During his speech, though, only about seven students were in attendance while the rest of the campus was asked to stay in their dorms.
