Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders caused quite a commotion at Benedict College over the weekend when he was hit by a question about
Blacks and their interaction with the police.
In reference to dealing with being pulled over by law enforcement, Sanders said that Blacks should “respect what they are doing so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head.”
The Vermont Senator journeyed to Greensboro, North Carolina, for the “2019 Presidential Justice Forum” in order to cull the Black vote. But Sanders was seemingly stumped by a Black student’s question about how to handle being pulled over by the police.
After asking the Black sports management student to adjust his microphone and repeat his question, NewsOne reports, the student again asked:
“If I was your son, what advice would you give me the next time I’m pulled over by a police officer?” the student asked Sanders.
Sanders’ response created some murmur in the audience.
“I would respect what they are doing so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head, but I would also be very mindful of the fact that as a nation, we have got to hold police officers accountable for the actions that they commit,” he said. “I would be very cautious if you were my son in terms of dealing with that police officer, but I would also defend my rights and know my rights and make sure if possible that the police officer’s camera is on what goes on.”
.@BernieSanders to black student on how to handle getting pulled over by the police: “Identify who the police officer is – respect what they are doing so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head.”
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) October 26, 2019
Sanders’ answer did not elicit very enthusiastic applause and was later compared to leading Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s answer. He was posed the same question, this time by a Black female student.
“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 added: “Institutional racism should no longer exist. As president, I’ll put forward change to help put an end to it.”
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
What do you make of Sanders’ and Biden’s answers to the question of police brutality?
