The stamp of approval from the scholar comes after the independent senator from Vermont was met with much skepticism from members of the Black Lives Matter movement, which West has been strongly active within.
Since the demonstrations, Sanders has been far more vocal and immediate about the importance of racial justice.
Race issues have long been important to Sanders, and the views are consistent with what he has expressed for the past 50 years- and he seems to have had no problem with kicking up the urgency- as social media grieves lives turned to hashtags on an endless basis.
West noted in his endorsement that the movement "will push him with integrity toward a more comprehensive vision of freedom for all."
— Cornel West (@CornelWest) August 25, 2015
Rumors had already been swirling that West was on track to endorse Sanders, as he has stated his love for the senator and has spoke very warmly of him in the past few months.
In his full statement which was posted to Facebook, titled ‘Why I Endorse Brother Bernie and Reject Brother Trump,’ West also spoke kindly of Trump, noting that he is authentic- unfortunately just lacking in integrity.
“Brother Bernie and Brother Trump are authentic human beings in stark contrast to their donor-driven opponents. Yet only Bernie has authenticity and integrity, whereas Trump is for real but not for right. Trump's attacks on precious Mexican brothers and sisters are unconscionable — even as his blessed mother was born in Scotland and grandfather (Mr. Drumpf) was born in Germany.” West wrote.
True to form, West made sure to not hold back about his concerns with Sanders’ and the democratic party as well, noting that his endorsement of Sanders is not an endorsement of the Israeli occupation of Palestinians- another topic that Sanders has came under extreme fire for by activists.
— Cornel West (@CornelWest) August 25, 2015
— Cornel West (@CornelWest) August 25, 2015
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 25, 2015
This endorsement came at a great time for Sanders, as his favorability has been rising as Clinton’s declines. Once trailing by over 40 points, the self described democratic socialist is now only behind the former first lady by 20 points.
He has even managed to take the lead by seven points in New Hampshire- a sought after early voting state for the democratic primaries.
