Bernie Sanders Argumentative Essay

Even from the earliest points in his life, Bernie Sanders has been a powerful example of bravery. Born to Polish immigrants in 1941, Sanders was not blessed with prosperous childhood years, as he grew up in a cramped Brooklyn apartment. However, during these early years the future senator and now presidential candidate began to form an interest in the political world. In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, he proclaimed, “I saw unfairness. That was the major inspiration in my politics.” (bio) Being surrounded by economic and social disparity, Sanders decided to transcend and battle his way through the obstacles presented before him. During his time at the University of Chicago, he became an active leader in the Civil Rights movement, assisting in the organization of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Reflecting on his call to action, the senator states,
“It was a question for me of just basic justice — the fact that it was not acceptable in America at that point that you had large numbers of African Americans who couldn’t vote, who couldn’t eat in a restaurant, whose kids were going to segregated schools, who couldn’t get hotel accommodations, living in segregated housing.” ()
The evidence is clear that Bernie Sanders has long been an outspoken proponent of civil and equal rights.
Yet his greatest trait has proven to be his unwavering stances on his fundamental views and his unwillingness to compromise, which has been fully realized over the course of his career in . despite obvious political expediency and dissent from his colleagues in the House and Senate. Specifically, Senator Sanders’ unfaltering position gay rights, which was first publicly declared during his time as mayor of Burlington, is a testament to his personal intrepidity as a champion of social
justice.
Bernie Sander’s showing of courageousness regarding his support for LGBT rights is not limited to a sole event or statement. Instead, he continually provided support for one of the most discriminated groups in the United States, regardless of how other leaders felt on the matter. In 1980, during his service of Burlington, Sanders helped organize the city’s first pride parade. While festivals celebrating varying human sexualities may seem like a common occurrence in today’s more inclusive society, such was not the case in the 1980s, which saw a resurgence of discrimination against homosexual men due to the AIDs epidemic. On the night prior to the march, he had this to say, “In our democratic society, it is the responsibility of government to safeguard civil liberties and civil rights — especially the freedom of speech and expression...In a free society, we must all be committed to the mutual respect of each other's lifestyle.” (sevendays)
Regardless, his defense and advocacy did not end during his time as mayor. Rather, Sanders continued the fight during his time as a Representative and, later, Senator from Vermont. In 1993, President Bill Clinton’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was proposed. Initially the bill appeared to allow gay men and women serving in the military more freedom, Yet, in reality, the law only lended itself to force those valiant soldiers into secrecy. Realizing this, Congressman Sanders voted against the legislation, continuing his longstanding commitment to both the LGBT community and the soldiers that serve the United States. Moreover, his support was not solely given through his voting record, two years later the Congressman from Vermont rose, in front of fellow members of the House, to defend those same Americans risking their lives in the Armed Forces.
Today, Bernie Sanders advances the fight against the discrimination and injustice many of the nation’s citizens face, no matter the source. As a presidential candidate, he has promised to institute acts enhancing equality for all people, ensuring that mistreatment will not go unpunished. Over and over, Sanders has established himself as a true hero of freedom and tolerance, even when the times were opposed to him. Though at times convenience would have been easily attainable in ceding his opinions to the more popular, Bernie refused to relent, making him an outspoken voice for those forced into silence by socioeconomic status, lifestyle, or health. In his adamant nature, the 2016 hopeful has shown genuine integrity and a plucky desire for justice. In his own words, “I am motivated by a vision, [...] so beautifully and clearly stated in Matthew 7:12, and it states, ‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them to do to you, for this sums up the war and the prophets.’ That is the golden rule.” (Attanasio)