Black and Progressive Caucuses - the numbers.

[HooptieWagon]

I am putting this up for discussion, since the meme is being promoted that Progressives don't care about Blacks. I believe all these numbers are current...if not, corrections are welcomed.

First, the Senate. There is neither a Senate Black Caucus, nor a Senate Progressive Caucus. There are two Black US Senators, Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Booker is listed as a member of the CBC. He previously called himself "progressive", but now calls himself a "New Democrat". Scott is not a member of the CBC, and of course not a member of the CPC.
Bernie Sanders is the only Senate member of the CPC.

Congress. There are 46 members of the CBC (which includes Sen. Booker). 25 of the 46 members are also members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. I assume the others are either Republicans or New Democrats. Still, 25 of 46 is over 50%.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus was founded by then-Rep Sanders. It is currently co-Chaired by Raul Grijalva ( Latino) and Keith Ellison ( African-American). Shelia Jackson Lee (AA) is one of the Vice Chairs, Barbara Lee (AA) is the Whip. The membership breaks down as follows:
There are 70 members, of which 25 are also members of the CBC. Aside from the Party Caucuses themselves, the CPC is the largest Caucus. However, the 70 members are only 15 % of the membership of the entire house, and 30% of the Democratic seats.

Corrections, additions, comments are welcome.

[Bluenorthwest]

1. I would say Bernie co-founded the Progressive Caucus along with still current members Maxine Waters

and Peter DeFazio as well as past members Ron Dellums, Lane Evans and Thomas Andrews. That group elected Sanders to be first Chair of the Caucus.

[HassleCat]

2. Black legislators are likely to think differently from BLM

Black people who run for political office have some investment in the system, in the notion that government can pass laws, run programs, allocate money, etc. and have an effect on social conditions. They would be more sympathetic to Sander's view that economic justice should have priority over dismantling structural racism. They would be more tolerant of a colleague who thought it was not an either-or situation. They would be more likely to support efforts to develop government programs to address police reform, prison reform, urban decay, and so on.

[HooptieWagon]

3. True. But facing elections every two years, they might be more attuned to constituents?

Might be yes or no, idk. What AA Representatives aren't responding to BLM? That would seem a problem.