The story of Bernie Sanders presidential campaign over the past year is nothing short of miraculous. Before he declared his candidacy last April, there was hardly anyone outside of Vermont who had ever heard of the old socialist. Since then, he and his messages and beliefs have inspired millions of people across the country, including myself. They have inspired us to post on social media sites, participate in phone banks, organize benefit concerts, go to rallies, and donate hundreds of millions of dollars. In short, Bernie Sanders has inspired millions of people to become politically active and for many of those millions, this political activity is newly found.
Yet, sadly, it appears as though Bernie's campaign is coming to an end. Hillary Clinton's lead in both pledged and super-delegates is too great. She will most likely be the Democratic candidate come the general election this fall. I know that, to many Bernie supporters, this will be a huge disappointment and may even bring about an end to the political activity so many have taken up. But if you listen to Bernie, that is exactly what he does not want to happen, a desire I share with him.
The Sanders Campaign has done so much over the past year. He has pushed the democratic party to be more progressive and forced Americans to have conversations about serious issues like economic inequality and political corruption that very well could have been overlooked without him. Bernie Sanders is currently the figurehead for a political revolution in our country, one he talks about all the time. In fact, this political revolution has been a centerpiece for Sanders throughout the duration of his campaign. However, what Bernie also recognizes and continuously voices is that this revolution is not about him. It is about millions of people standing up and demanding that their needs and wants are met, that their government represent them, and that their voices be heard.
More than anything, I believe that this is the greatest message and will be the most important result of the Sanders campaign. It is also something Sanders supporters must recognize as an incredible success. When Bernie's campaign ends, we cannot stop demanding the things he has been for years, we cannot cease our political activity. It is the responsibility of the millions of Americans around the country who have supported Sanders so fervently to continue the fight he helped us to begin. We must continue to demand more from our representatives, continue to pledge time and energy to the political process and political activity. We have to continue the conversation about economic inequality, the influence of money in politics, the injustices of the criminal justice system, the pressing need to truly address climate change, and all the other things Bernie has been talking about as well as many that he doesn't.
When the time comes this fall, we must also vote in the presidential election as well as the many other elections taking place that day because they matter immensely. There are a number of candidates for other key positions in government at the federal, state, and even local level that need our votes and support. This does not mean a vote must be cast for the Democrat or Republican running in the general election, there are third party candidates out there who might better represent you, like Jill Stein of the Green Party or Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party. Go look them up!
The end of the Sanders campaign does not mean the end of the political revolution, in fact his campaign was just the beginning. The potential for the movement he represents to continue is immense and the possibilities such a movement holds if it is sustained are immeasurable. Great leaders do not change the world and revolutions do not happen overnight with the election of one of a President. Multitudes of people change the world through millions of small actions and decisions. Revolutions are the collective result of those actions that change not only the world we live in, but the minds of all those who might have doubted or disagreed.
So to those of you disheartened or upset by the end of Bernie's campaign, do not lose hope. Remember how incredible Bernie's accomplishments are and know that you were essential to that success. Continue to believe in Bernie's messages and the millions of other people who do as well. And most importantly of do not stop fighting. Bernie helped us begin this political revolution, but it has always been ours and we have work to do.
