By Edelia J. Carthan, Ed.D.,
Contributing Writer,
Vice President Kamala Harris has spent her entire career fighting for the people, driven by a passion for justice that took root in her childhood. Born to parents who marched for civil rights, Harris was inspired early on to tackle the injustices that plagued society. This commitment has propelled her from the courtrooms of California to Washington, DC to the White House, and now, she aims to take it even further as she announces her run for President of the United States of America.
Harris’s journey began in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she specialized in prosecuting cases of child sexual assault. Her early work laid the foundation for a career defined by a relentless pursuit of justice. As the District Attorney of San Francisco, she introduced “Back on Track,” a program that offered first-time drug offenders the chance to earn high school diplomas and secure employment, significantly reducing recidivism rates. This initiative became a national model for criminal justice reform.
Her tenure as California’s Attorney General was marked by a series of landmark victories against powerful interests. She secured $20 billion for homeowners facing foreclosure during the Great Recession, won a $1.1 billion settlement for students and veterans defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges, and played a key role in bringing down California’s Proposition 8 at the U.S. Supreme Court, helping to advance marriage equality nationwide. Harris also fought against transnational gangs that exploited women and children and championed reproductive health rights by requiring for-profit insurers to cover contraception.
In the U.S. Senate, Harris continued her fight for the American people. Serving on several key committees, including Judiciary, Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Budget, she led efforts to raise wages, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance election security. Her tough questioning of Trump-era officials like Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Attorney General Jeff Sessions showcased her unwavering commitment to holding those in power accountable.
As Vice President, Harris has been a trusted partner to President Joe Biden. Together, they have delivered significant achievements, from creating nearly 16 million jobs to investing over $1 trillion in infrastructure projects, such as repairing roads and bridges, removing lead pipes, improving public transit, and expanding access to high-speed internet. Their administration has also made strides in healthcare, including lowering insurance premiums and expanding coverage for veterans exposed to toxins.
Harris has been instrumental in enacting meaningful gun safety reforms and tackling the climate crisis with the largest investment in history. Furthermore, she played a pivotal role in the appointment of the first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court.
Harris’s influence extends beyond U.S. borders. She has represented the nation on the global stage, meeting with over 150 world leaders and strengthening alliances against tyranny. Her dedication to defending democracy at home is equally strong, as she leads the charge to protect fundamental freedoms, including the right to vote and reproductive rights.
Trump and Harris Agree to September 10 Presidential Debate
The 2024 presidential race is heating up, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both preparing to face off in what promises to be a high-stakes series of debates. On last Thursday, Harris expressed her anticipation for the first debate, stating, “Well, I’m glad that he finally agreed to a debate on September 10th. I’m looking forward to it and I hope he shows up.”
This first debate will be hosted by ABC News, and Harris has signaled her openness to additional debate dates following this one. Trump has since claimed that he has accepted invitations from three different news networks to host each of the three total presidential debates, scheduled for September 4, 10, and 25.
Harris’s campaign is already making waves. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, her running mate, recently addressed union members in Los Angeles, signaling the ticket’s strong support for organized labor.
This comes as former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, also vie for the working-class vote. While Harris continues to engage with supporters across the nation, Trump and Vance have yet to announce any public events.
Meanwhile, the United Auto Workers union has filed federal labor charges against Trump and Elon Musk, accusing them of intimidating workers engaged in protected labor activities. This incident underscores the high stakes of the upcoming election, where issues of labor rights, economic justice, and the future of American democracy are all on the line.
Personal Life and Legacy
Kamala Harris’s personal life is as dynamic as her career. A proud graduate of Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, she married Douglas Emhoff in 2014 after being set up on a blind date by a friend. Their blended family includes Harris’s stepchildren, Ella and Cole, who affectionately call her “Momala.”
Throughout her life, Harris has broken barriers as the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to serve as vice president. She draws inspiration from her late mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a renowned breast cancer researcher, who instilled in her the values of justice and equality that continue to guide her work today.
Harris’s candidacy for president marks the next chapter in a lifelong commitment to making America a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Addressing the Lies About Locking Up Black Men
Despite Harris’s long-standing commitment to justice, some have spread false claims about her record, particularly the accusation that she locked up hundreds of Black men during her time as district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California. It’s important to address these rumors with facts and context.
First and foremost, it’s critical to understand that as a district attorney and attorney general, Harris’s job was to enforce the law, not to make it. The laws she upheld were created by legislatures, and as a prosecutor, her role was to apply those laws while balancing the pursuit of justice. Her record shows that she did so with a deep commitment to civil rights and social justice.
Let’s be clear: the narrative that she indiscriminately targeted Black men is not only false but also damaging. It’s a lie that’s being perpetuated to sway Black men away from supporting her by playing on deeply rooted fears and concerns within the community. But as Attorney Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights lawyer, has stated publicly, this narrative is simply not true. Crump, who has worked closely with Harris, has affirmed that her record is being misrepresented by those who seek to divide the Black community and distract from the real issues at hand.
Think about it – how could someone who allegedly did all the things they say Harris did rise to become one of the most powerful figures in American politics? She has been elected to office time and time again, trusted by millions of voters to represent their interests. Her record includes significant achievements like securing billions for homeowners during the foreclosure crisis, protecting students from predatory for-profit colleges, and advancing marriage equality nationwide. These are not the actions of someone who is against the interests of Black people or any marginalized group.
So to the Black men being targeted by these falsehoods, I urge you not to be swayed by lies. Don’t let those who would rather see you follow a rich racist than support a Black woman who grew up fighting for your rights win. Kamala Harris has proven time and again that she is on the side of justice and progress. No one gets elected to the offices she has held by doing what they falsely accuse her of. Instead of spreading these lies, let’s focus on the truth and work together to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Be the first to comment