As the 2020 election nears, potential candidates are popping up from all different areas. With these fresh new faces comes along a familiar one, Sen. Bernie Sanders. 

Sanders was the runner-up Democratic candidate in 2016, losing the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton. 

After a rough two years for the Democratic Party, a light of hope has shined down as Sanders announced his second run for president. This time we need to take him more seriously. 

Since his 2016 loss, Sanders hasn’t lost his spark. He openly voices his concerns via Twitter about what is happening in politics, especially surrounding Trump and his administration. With his continuous public voice and involvement, he hasn’t lost his supporters either which is why Twitter blew up when Sanders announced his campaign on Feb. 19. 

He tweeted: “I’m running for president. I am asking you to join me today as part of an unprecedented and historic grassroots campaign that will begin with at least 1 million people from across the country. Say you’re in: https://bsanders.us/tw.”  

Sanders has always had a significant amount of controversy surrounding his desire to become president. Many older generations find him too idealistic or they fear his socialist views. But Sanders is so favorable among millennials because he prioritizes some of their biggest concerns in politics such as climate change and college tuition prices. However, what his platform has really been built on is his love, drive and concern for social justice, ranging from social class to racial inequality.  

What is most admirable about Sanders is his authenticity. He has a long history of protesting inequality and advocating for social justice. In 2016, a photo was uncovered of a 21-year-old Sanders being arrested after protesting discrimination against African-Americans in his school, the University of Chicago. 

The photo was from 1963 where Sanders was arrested at the Civil Rights protest for resisting arrest. This photo release boosted his credibility and makes him much more likeable; you can tell he is a man of the people, which is the type of change we need to see in the office come 2020. 

It isn’t just about Sanders’ history of standing up for citizens facing injustice, he has been incredibly vocal about all of his concerns and opinions on social justice issues in the U.S. He has spoken out many times for issues concerning women, including the wage gap and the right to choose. 

Even as a white male, or a mythical norm, he makes sure to utilize his platform to speak out on issues, even if he doesn’t experience them himself. He doesn’t let the voices of other people get drowned out. Sanders makes sure that all minorities are represented in his campaign and given his honest support as well. 

When discussing Trump’s administration, Sanders called out Trump for his race-favoring politics: “Why don’t we use the right word — not use the phrase ‘race-oriented.’ Why don’t we say ‘racist,’ how’s that?” 

In a world where many live in fear to stand up to Trump, it’s refreshing to have a strong, outspoken candidate speak out on issues, even if they don’t directly affect him. This isn’t the first time he’s spoken out about the president to protect minorities. 

Sanders has also always been very vocal about immigration and the treatment immigrants get from the president. He tweeted out a video on Jan. 9 accusing Trump of lying about his immigration policy, wall funding and statistics on immigration. Sanders also showed his sympathy for the children who had been split apart from their parents at the border as well as explaining his immigration plan. 

If we are looking to elect a new president in 2020 who cares about minorities, speaks honestly and openly and who has devoted his or her entire life to seeking social justice, we need to vote for Bernie Sanders. He has put so much hope back into the hearts of Americans during these difficult two years and would continue to do so if he made it into office. We need to take him more seriously this time and ensure that he receives the Democratic nomination and then the White House.

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