A significant moment between Bernie Sanders and a Muslim woman

EVERY ONCE in a while, a moment of honesty shines through all the rhetoric being tossed about by the candidates running for President.

Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was speaking to students at George Mason University Wednesday (Oct. 28) when he was asked an unexpected question, which led to one such moment.

A Muslim student, Remaz Abdelgader, wearing a hijab stood to ask Sanders a question, she began "As an American Muslim student who inspires to change this world..."and then the audience broke into spontaneous applause.

Sanders invited the student onto the stage to finish asking her question about the hateful speech being spewed out by some candidates and what she planned to do fight intolerance when she graduates. She asked Sanders what he would do if he was President.

"Let me be very personal here if I may," Sanders began. "I'm Jewish. My father's family died in concentration camps," Sanders said. "I will do everything that I can to rid this country of the ugly stain of racism that has existed for far too many years." 

Sanders added, "If we stand for anything we have to stand together and end all forms of racism in this country."

Fine words. We need all the candidates to start addressing intolerance and the issues of race or faith, the issues that can so easily divide us. It was what happened immediately afterwards that was easily overlooked but, oh, so wonderful.

He hugged her. She hugged Sanders back.

As a Presidential candidate, he should have known better than to touch a Muslim woman. It's a no-no for a male who is not a relative to touch a woman. As a Muslim woman, Abdelgader should not have allowed him to do that by stepping back and certainly, not return the hug.

But that was the beauty of the moment. It will take more moments like that if we're going to  combat racism and ignorance. From both sides: A little give; a little patience; a little willingness to learn and a willingness to forgive unintentional transgressions.

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