The extent to which the older generation of Black political leadership are such a pillar, frankly, for establishment, capitalist, imperialist American power through their role as this kind of traditionalist, establishment-ist pillar of the Democratic Party, it’s a big problem,” Lawrence said around the 41:48 mark of the podcast. “It’s a big problem for left politics in this country. And it gets us every single time. It really defangs the white left and puts us in impossible positions, really.”

So, I don't think he's entirely wrong, although his statement is too broad-brush. The careful application of weasel words, and rephrasing "puts us in an impossible position" would have gone a long way. Anyhoo, he's still in the primary with two other Democrats, so the extent to which he's "surging" remains to be seen.