In his wide-ranging interview with “Killer Mike,” Bernie Sanders drew on his knowledge of the civil rights era to show how history repeats itself. His point was that hatred of others often has its roots in economics, and that it is always in the ruling class’ interest to keep people down by dividing them.

Here’s how Sanders laid out his case to the philosophical rapper:

“In the 1950s, what state in this country had the lowest paid white workers?”

Answer: Mississippi.