Deray: The "violence" framing in the initial draft of Sanders' Racial Justice platform is powerful

Bernie Sanders' campaign released an outstanding draft racial justice platform this morning, which draws strongly on powerful ideas regarding structural violence.

We must pursue policies that transform this country into a nation that affirms the value of its people of color. That starts with addressing the four central types of violence waged against black and brown Americans: physical, political, legal and economic. And, with its release, the campaign received feedback -- via social media -- from one of the Black Lives Matter movement's most public figures, Deray McKesson, a former teacher and school district administrator turned activist in the wake last year's events in Ferguson.

The Sanders campaign just released the beginnings of a racial justice platform that has many strong elements, influenced by the movement.

— deray mckesson (@deray) August 10, 2015

If you've not seen it, here is the newly released initial draft of the Sanders Racial Justice Platform: https://t.co/....

— deray mckesson (@deray) August 10, 2015

As a sitting senator, it will be interesting to see Sanders discuss legislation re: racial justice that he supports or doesn't support.

— deray mckesson (@deray) August 10, 2015

I particularly agree with Deray in the tweet that follows, as the "four central types of violence" framing really helps to acknowledge links between physical and political violence: out-of-control cops and being denied the vote.

The "violence" framing in the initial draft of the Sanders Racial Justice platform is powerful. & I look forward to seeing him expand this.

— deray mckesson (@deray) August 10, 2015

I'm pleased that Bernie has finally released specific proposals for addressing America's appalling problems with structural violence and racism, which inflict the most pain and suffering -- often death -- upon people of color.

As Deray mentioned in his tweets, it will be important for Bernie to treat this document as a starting point. I hope the Senator will listen often -- especially to members of the Black Lives Matter movement -- and adjust his platform as dialogue advances.