Bernie Sanders Goes South

                In an effort to attract African-American voters for a likely 2020 presidential run, Bernie Sanders recently made a 14-hour long swing through the South, even marching in Memphis with Al Sharpton on the 50^th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King JR.’s assassination. The Whitest One also spoke before a crowd at an economic justice forum in Jackson, Mississippi, under the projected words of Dr. King stating: “True compassion is more than flipping a coin to a beggar; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.”  He finished the day’s attempt to burnish his non-stellar reputation among African-Americans by devouring a plate of wings during a late-night dinner with Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the city’s new mayor.

                After observing a comically bad online headline about his efforts that read, “Bernie Wooing Blacks,” I decided to pen a song in his honor. Well, actually, I rewrote a song in his honor.

                Bernie and the Blacks

                Hey blacks, how ya’ like my sweater?

                The spotlight’s hitting something

                That’s been around forever

                We’ll kill all those fat cats tonight

                So stick around

                You’re gonna hear some old-time music

                Folk songs will abound

                Hey, Maxine and Sharpton, have you seen them yet?

                But they’re so spaced out, B_B_B_Bernie and the blacks!

                Oh, but their weird and they’re wonderful

                And on Bernie oh so keen

                Al’s got eclectic shoes, a baggy suit

                You know I saw him in a limousine, oh

                B_B_B_Bernie and the blacks!

                Hey kids, can’t you see I’m ageless?

                Maybe they’re blinded

                Or maybe they’re just shameless

                We shall overcome, let us take ourselves along

                And go fight the system out in the streets

                Tell them all this is our song:

                “Hey Bernie (Bernie)

                Oh Bernie (Bernie, Bernie and the blacks)

                Oh, you look so good on that stage, baby, yeah

                Ey, Bernie, oh Bernie, yeah Bernie, Bernie

                Bernie and the blacks baby!

                Oh my Godlessness, ooh, yeah

                Bernie, Bernie, Bernie, Bernie, Bernie and the blacks!! Yeah!!”

               

                (Sing to the beat/rhythm of Elton John’s Benny and the Jets)