The Sweet and Sour of Kamala Harris’ Nomination
Recently I experienced a discussion about Kamala Harris’ election as vice president. The discussion originated with celebrating a woman of color being elected to a position of power, a role model that little girls can look up to and imagine themselves holding that position, a woman that many young women see as a great victory. Yet, the conversation almost immediately turned into an argument about if we should support Kamala Harris or not.
Ever since she announced her run for president, she has been questioned whether or not she is a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, protesters to her election fear that she has a “mixed” history with LGBTQ+ rights. Many people have started to refrain from celebrating her election, instead calling for fellow liberals to hold her accountable.
Kamala Harris, prior to becoming Joe Biden’s pick and the future vice president, was a senator for California and prior to that, the Attorney General for the state. This undoubtedly put many large scale decisions in her hands and in her council, some of which she didn’t always make the right call on.
One of her most criticized acts was defending the state’s decision to deny transgender prisoner Michelle Norsworthy gender-confirming surgery while she was incarcerated in a men’s prison in 2015. This led to many future transgender prisoners in California receiving similar rulings and having to stay in harmful and unsafe conditions. Harris also has not stated on record whether or not she agrees with incarcerating people based on gender identity.
While this argument is valid, it skims over many other things Harris has done to support the LGBTQ+ community – including the trans community. At a conference in January 2019, after announcing her run for president, Harris addressed the case and asserted that when she was “the attorney general of California for two terms and [she] had a host of clients that [she] was obligated to defend and represent” and there were “unfortunately situations that occurred where [her] clients took positions that were contrary to [her] beliefs.”
She also took full responsibility for the case and referenced some things she’s done since 2015 for California LGBTQ+ inclusive legislation and will continue to do. While still attorney general, Harris helped pass briefs on a few key things to help trans rights including the bathroom bill and gender identity in Title IX legislation in California.
Even before she was promoted to Attorney General, as district attorney she helped lay the groundwork to be the first state to ban the “gay or trans panic” defense in courtrooms– something even Colorado has yet to do. Banning this led to prosecutors no longer being able to use the perception of being LGBTQ+ as a reason for a violent crime, which often led to juror bias.
While we can never truly know the motives behind her actions, it seems clear that she is looking back on her past and learning what she can do better in the future to support the LGBTQ+ community. Yet, holding her accountable for this is also incredibly important. But no matter where you stand, there’s no denying that this is a time to celebrate, not tear down a woman in a position of power that has been held exclusively by white men.
So let’s celebrate. Kamala Harris will be the first bi-racial black and South Asian person to be elected to the vice presidential office, she will also be the first woman. Across the country women, BIPOC, and everyone who is sick and tired of Mike Pence are breathing a sigh of relief. As Harris said herself, “Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities,” and I don’t know about you, but I intend to enjoy it.
Isabel Oliver is a senior at Boulder High this year. Although new to The Owl, she has always loved writing and literary arts. Isabel grew up with an Editor in Chief for a mother and has always been fascinated by the inner workings of journalism. Isabel joined The Owl to improve her journalistic writing and to report on current events that she’s passionate about. Outside of The Owl, you can find Isabel acting with Troupe 60, singing in the choir, reading a good book, watching copious amounts of Netflix, or jamming with her band. After graduating from Boulder, she hopes to go to college and become either a therapist or a social worker - although she’s leaning towards liberal arts, so that’s...
Lex Dembo • Dec 14, 2020 at 9:41 pm
I really liked the stance you took here. Lately, everyone has been making Biden and Kamala out to be perfect and without flaws, forgetting the previous popular phrase “settle for Biden.” They are both far from perfect, however, it should definitely be noted that they are significantly better than the previous president and vice president and that their election is something that really should be celebrated, although celebrated while being mindful of their backgrounds. I like that you included the good and the bad Kamala has done and did not just focus on one or another. Overall a great and interesting piece!
Ben W Stafford • Dec 14, 2020 at 9:27 pm
I think this article was very powerful, as it really allows the reader to think about the topic at hand from many different angles. It gives the full story and I think it does a great job of persuading the reader not to be too hard on someone, and appreciate them for their whole person, rather than drag them down for a mistake. It is really important to give the reader the full story, rather than weaponized fragments, and this article does a great job of doing so. Great article!
Annika Bjorklund • Dec 13, 2020 at 2:11 pm
I think you made some really good points in this article and you brought up a rather important topic. Everyone wants to hold Kamala Harris accountable for her somewhat controversial history, and this is incredibly important. Her past decisions, specifically around Transgender people, give rise for concern and need to be addressed. However, I also think you brought up an important point that Harris’ election is a groundbreaking and historical moment that we need to celebrate and honor. I also think that it’s important to recognize that many little girls aren’t thinking about her policies or what she’s done in the past and could do in the future. They are looking at a woman and a person of color and seeing that she has managed to do something we’ve never seen before. To many little girls, all she represents is their own future and the possibility that they, too, could be elected vice president and maybe president of the United States. As we get older, we begin to become more concerned with policy and the past and present, but little girls across the country are seeing someone who they share an identity with do something no one else like them has done before.
Caris Mullen • Dec 8, 2020 at 6:38 pm
I really liked how you talked about both sides of this story. Kamala Harris now holds such an important role in our country and it’s important to talk about what she has done, whether that be positive or not. Although it is amazing we finally have a female VP we cannot just glaze over her actions. But I also really liked how you informed us that she took accountability as this is extremely important and something we currently lack in the White House. It is important to be informed and know both sides of the story and this piece does just that. I really enjoyed reading this piece and learned a lot about our future vice president.
Isabel Fronzaglia • Dec 8, 2020 at 4:44 pm
I absolutely loved your article! I’ve heard so much about Kamala Harris’ past actions and holding her accountable for them. I’m very glad that you took the time to show how she has learned from them and changed. I intend to enjoy this progress with you as well!
Taylor Miller • Dec 8, 2020 at 1:30 pm
I think it was really important that you gave both sides of the story, so as to show that she might not be transphobic, contrary to many people’s beliefs. I also liked that you put in what she said about taking accountability for her mistakes, because is is so important for people in power to be able to own up to their mistakes. It is very true to hold her accountable, but she is fixing her mistakes, which is very honorable. I really enjoyed this article!