This is not an endorsement of Bernie Sanders for president. But this commercial is very specifically an endorsement for Bernie Sanders for president—and a powerful one at that. The commercial is three and a half minutes long and follows the very measured and eloquent statements of Erica Garner, the eldest child of Eric Garner, the man choked to death on video in New York City, in 2014. Erica Garner spoke about doing the endorsement commercial for the Sanders’ campaign on her website.
Last week we made a commercial to express to the world exactly why I am endorsing Bernie Sanders for President. The Sanders team allowed me and my team full creative control of this video so this message is 100% my message and my views! They had a totally different idea of what should be done, but true to form with Senator Sanders, he listened to me, didn’t tell me he knew better and I was not practical and this is what we produced.
The Senator didn’t reach out to me all of a sudden because he needs help with Black people. He didn’t put out a press conference announcing that we would be working together. He didn’t force me to frame my support of him around a subject matter that special interest groups that support him can get behind. They said we are glad to have your support, how do you want to plug in. You will see a lot of Black leaders handing out endorsements, think to yourself, have they historically been a rubber stamp for the establishment? I hope this expresses why I think Bernie is our guy!
The piece is powerful and moving. It is not a takedown of anyone, but an endorsement from a person who is fighting a fight that she believes Bernie Sanders represents the best available option for change.