5 Reasons Why It’s Time to Support Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic Presidential Nominee

“Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins.” ~ Charles Stanley

I never thought I would be writing this, but over the last few weeks, after watching the Democratic fallout from the presidential debate, it is time to end the chaos, we need to move the party forward if we want to WIN.

As election day approaches, the Democratic coalition faces a critical decision. With growing concerns about President Joe Biden’s viability, Democrats must now unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee. Harris’s qualifications, the accomplishments of the Biden administration, and the urgent need for strong executive leadership amid a dysfunctional Congress and partisan Supreme Court make her the ideal candidate to lead the party and the nation.

Image Credit Credit: Celeste Sloman/Redux | “Perhaps the most consistent theme I’ve heard from people who’ve met with her is that she’s a good listener. You know, they described meetings that went on longer than they were planned, with follow-ups from her staff” (Khalid, 2022).

Below are my top 5 reasons why we can win in November:

1. Qualifications and Achievements
Kamala Harris has a distinguished record of public service that makes her well-suited for the presidency. As the first Black and South Asian Vice President, she has broken significant barriers and inspired countless Americans. Her tenure as California’s Attorney General and her role in the U.S. Senate demonstrate her legislative and judicial acumen. Harris has been instrumental in the Biden administration, addressing critical issues such as voting rights, immigration reform, and reproductive health. “She is capable. She is qualified. Biden would not have picked her if she wasn’t,” affirmed Tijuana Richardson (Bailey & Ferguson, 2024).

2. Biden-Harris Administration’s Accomplishments
The Biden administration has made significant strides in various policy areas. Under Biden and Harris, the administration has pushed for economic recovery, expanded overtime pay, and bolstered labor rights (Politico Magazine, 2024). Healthcare advancements, such as the expansion of telemedicine and efforts to reduce prescription drug costs, have improved access to essential services. The administration’s commitment to climate action is evident in the growth of renewable energy and infrastructure investments, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to environmental sustainability (Politico Magazine, 2024). These achievements underscore the administration’s effectiveness and Harris’s pivotal role in these initiatives.

Image Credit: Library of Congress | “On May 18, 1896, Justice Henry Billings Brown, writing for the Court’s majority, concluded that, although the 14th Amendment had established citizenship rights for Black Americans, it ‘could not have been intended to abolish distinctions based upon color, or to enforce social, as distinguished from political, equality, or a commingling of the two races upon terms unsatisfactory to either.” (Reed & Harvard Law Today, 2021)

3. Strong Leadership
In an era of a dysfunctional Congress and alarmingly partisan Supreme Court, the need for strong executive leadership cannot be understated. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to grant presidential immunity to Donald Trump echoes the dangerous precedents set by the Plessy v. Ferguson era, where judicial rulings entrenched systemic discrimination (Reed & HLS, 2021). Harris’s legal expertise and leadership skills position her uniquely to navigate these challenges and uphold democratic norms. “The Supreme Court just said that the Constitution of the United States doesn’t apply to Donald Trump,” warned Umair Haque, highlighting the perilous state of American democracy (Haque, 2024).

4. Contributions of Black and Asian Women in American Society
Black and Asian women have historically made significant contributions to American society, shaping its political, social, and cultural landscape. Figures like Shirley Chisholm and Stacey Abrams have been instrumental in driving political change and advocating for civil rights. Chisholm’s groundbreaking presidential run in 1972 paved the way for future leaders like Harris (Lewis, 2020). Asian American women, such as Patsy Mink, who co-authored Title IX, have also played crucial roles in advancing gender equality and social justice (Oung, 2020). These leaders exemplify the importance of representation and the need for diverse voices in leadership.

“Congresswoman Patsy Mink was a trailblazer who overcame gender and racial discrimination, served as a principal author of federal Title IX legislation” Credit: Curt Bright. Nebraska Today, March 11, 2019. https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/patsy-mink-was-driving-force-behind-title-ix-legislation/.

5. The Backbone of the Democratic Party
Black women have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party, consistently mobilizing voters and driving grassroots organizing efforts. Their unwavering support and leadership have been crucial in securing electoral victories and advancing progressive policies. “Black women are top entrepreneurs. They are leading in education and in the economy,” noted Lydia Myers, emphasizing their pivotal role in society (Bailey & Ferguson, 2024). Ensuring that these voices are heard and valued is essential for the party’s success.

Image Credit: Underwood Archives / Contributor / Getty Images | “In response to this injustice, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sent activist Rosa Parks to investigate and support the Taylors. Despite being memorialized in history for her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Parks was the NAACP’s chief rape investigator during this time period and had a large role in the rape crisis movement, another example of the omittance of Black women’s role in organizing around sexual violence” (Wiltz, 2023)

Do we think anyone else can beat Trump other than a Black woman?

The risks of a second Trump presidency are profound and far-reaching. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to grant Trump presidential immunity, despite his felony convictions, sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the rule of law and democratic governance. A second Trump term could lead to further erosion of democratic norms and an authoritarian shift in American politics (Haque, 2024). Historical lessons from past political crises, such as the Watergate scandal, underscore the importance of accountability and the dangers of unchecked power (Gonyea, 2012).

In this critical moment, it is imperative for Democrats and other progressive coalitions to unite behind Kamala Harris. Her qualifications, the Biden administration’s accomplishments, and the urgent need for strong leadership make her the ideal candidate to lead the party and the nation. By setting aside differences and rallying behind Harris, Democrats can ensure a future that upholds democratic values and protects the rights of all Americans. The time to act is now, and Harris is the leader we need to guide us through these challenging times.

Kamala Harris was elected as the Vice President of the United States in the 2020 election as Joe Biden’s running mate — she is the ONLY person that can have access to the over $100 million raised for their re-election campaign. In the 2020 presidential election, the Biden-Harris ticket received over 80 million votes, 17 million votes were from Black voters, mainly, Black women played a crucial role in the electorate. According to exit polls, Black women comprised about 12.7 million votes. Black women overwhelmingly supported the Biden-Harris ticket, and we are the backbone, energy, and lifeline of the party.

My main question to you is: Are you willing to vote for change to bring an impactful leader like Vice President Harris to the forefront? Or will you continue to vote out of fear?

We can’t let fear determine the course of this election and ultimately the country.

Image Credit: Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved. | “One of her signature accomplishments as attorney general was creating Open Justice, an online platform to make criminal justice data available to the public. The database helped improve police accountability by collecting information on the number of deaths and injuries of those in police custody” (Kim & Stanton, 2020).

This essay reflects the author’s personal sentiments and opinions and is not intended to represent the views or positions of any employer, private, or public organization. Any references to specific entities or individuals are purely for illustrative purposes and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The author assumes no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided in this essay.

References

Bailey, H., & Ferguson, A. (2024, July 7). These Black women vow to vote for Biden — but Harris excites them more. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024-election/kamala-harris-excitement-essence-festival/2024/07/07/123456789

Rachel Reed and HLS News Staff. “Plessy v. Ferguson at 125.” Harvard Law Today, May 19, 2021. https://today.law.harvard.edu/plessy-v-ferguson-at-125.

Politico Magazine. (2024, February 2). 30 Things Joe Biden Did as President You Might Have Missed. Retrieved from Politico.

Haque, U. (2024, March 5). The Supreme Court Said the Constitution Doesn’t Apply to Donald Trump: Why the Supreme Court’s Decision Is Even Worse Than You Think. Eudaimonia and Co. Retrieved from Eudaimonia and Co.

Lewis, J. J. (2020, December 12). Black Women Who Have Made History. ThoughtCo.

Oung, K. (2020, May 1). 4 Asian-American Women Who Changed History. Teen Vogue. Retrieved from https://www.teenvogue.com/story/asian-american-women-who-changed-history

Gonyea, D. (2012, October 21). McGovern Legacy Offers More Than A Lost Presidency. NPR. Retrieved from NPR

Khalid, A. (2022, January 19). What Kamala Harris has gotten done in her 1st year as vice president. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org.

Curt Bright. “Patsy Mink was driving force behind Title IX legislation.” Nebraska Today, March 11, 2019. https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/patsy-mink-was-driving-force-behind-title-ix-legislation/.

Wiltz, A. (2023, March 30). Timeline of the history of sexual violence in the U.S.: The foundations of rape culture in the United States (1492–1662).

Kim, C., & Stanton, Z. (2020, August 11). What you need to know about Kamala Harris. Politico. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com.

Sierra Fox. ‘Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Greensboro this week to campaign for Biden.’ ABC11 News, July 8, 2024. https://abc11.com/post/vp-kamala-harris-visit-greensboro-week-campaign-biden/15042109/.