Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley, and Hillary Clinton spoke at the National Council of La Raza’s annual convention in Kansas City last Monday, reported AlterNet. Clinton has long been supported by the Hispanic community, but Sanders emerged as the crowd favorite.
Clinton has been known and generally well-liked by the Hispanic community for several years. However, Sanders drew a crowd twice the size of Clinton’s. Sanders, the son of a Jewish-Polish immigrant, used his personal experiences to win over the crowd while addressing the “stain of racism.”
“I know something about immigration, because my dad came to this country from Poland at the age of 17 without a nickel in his pocket, without much of an education, and without knowing the English language,” said Sanders to thunderous applause. “Like immigrants before and since, he worked hard to give his family a better life in the United States.”
Sanders’ story reflects the stories of many of today’s Mexican immigrants who come to America in search of a better life for their families. He can relate to the struggles associated with coming from an immigrant family. Clinton may be known among minorities, but Sanders has lived the immigrant’s life. That aspect will appeal greatly minorities, as many will surely jump the Clinton ship and support Sanders.
