Member-only story
Are Reverend Barber and Bernie Sanders Right? Is Ignoring White Poverty Hurting Democrats?
After the Democrats’ historic loss this week, political leaders like Reverend William Barber and Bernie Sanders are re-emerging in the conversation. Barber, a moral leader with a deep focus on economic justice, and Sanders, a long-time champion of working-class Americans, have argued tirelessly that Democrats overlook the economic struggles of many Americans, including poor white communities. It’s a criticism that’s becoming harder for the party to ignore, especially with polls showing that millions of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and feeling left behind by both parties.
Bernie Sanders has long sounded the alarm on how economic insecurity drives voters away from the Democrats. In recent remarks, he highlighted the frustration of working people across the nation — those who feel that neither political side truly understands or represents their daily struggles. He’s noted that Democrats often get painted as the party for the “elite,” focused on coastal, urban issues. Sanders’ view is that when the Democrats fail to speak directly to the financial pain that 60% of Americans endure, they lose any claim to be the party of the people. And Reverend Barber echoes these points. His Poor People’s Campaign addresses poverty across racial lines and pushes for genuine attention to…
