What has Vice President Kamala Harris done for us?
Many of us pondered that question yesterday as President Joe Biden announced that he would step aside from the 2024 Presidential Race and endorsed VP Harris.
When President Biden announced his running mate in 2020, most Black people were excited about the prospect of a Black woman in the White House. However, four years later, in one of the worst economies our generation has ever seen, many feel played. We have barely seen or heard from VP Harris.
Now let me say this: I have no intention of trying to slander or put another Black woman down, but I simply did not know what the Vice President has done to help marginalized communities, Black people, and women.
I did some research to see how VP Harris has been spending her time, and I was a little shocked by what I found. This lack of information and transparency is concerning, and we need more awareness of it. From my search, I discovered 23 achievements VP Harris has made. I will share them below, along with whom they impacted and how. Read them for yourself and then make your decision.
- Championing COVID-19 Relief Efforts
– Impact: Played a key role in the passage of the American Rescue Plan, which provided significant financial relief to individuals, businesses, and local governments. This helped millions of Americans, especially those in marginalized communities, recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
- Advocating for Voting Rights
– Impact: Actively promoted and supported the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect voting rights, particularly for Black and minority communities facing systemic voting barriers.
- Promoting Small Business Support
– Impact: Led efforts to support small businesses through various initiatives, including increased access to loans and grants. This has especially benefited minority and women-owned businesses, providing them with the resources needed to thrive.
- Focus on Maternal Health
– Impact: Addressed the maternal mortality crisis, which disproportionately affects Black women, by supporting policies and funding aimed at improving maternal health care and outcomes.
- Combating Climate Change
– Impact: Supported the Biden administration’s ambitious climate goals, which include transitioning to clean energy and reducing carbon emissions. These efforts aim to create healthier communities and job opportunities, particularly benefiting low-income and minority populations who are often most affected by environmental issues.
- Advancing Criminal Justice Reform
– Impact: Advocated for policies to reform the criminal justice system, including ending cash bail, reducing mandatory minimum sentences, and promoting police accountability. These reforms aim to address systemic inequalities that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities.
- Championing Women’s Rights
– Impact: Promoted gender equity through initiatives such as the Gender Policy Council, aimed at addressing gender disparities in wages, health care, and representation in leadership roles. This work supports the advancement of women across various sectors.
- Supporting Education and Childcare
– Impact: Advocated for increased funding for public education and childcare, recognizing the importance of accessible, quality education and care for working families, especially benefiting women who often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities.
- Strengthening International Relations
– Impact: Worked on strengthening diplomatic relations and addressing global challenges such as migration and human rights, enhancing the United States’ standing in the world and contributing to global stability and peace.
- Promoting Economic Equity
– Impact: Supported the implementation of policies aimed at closing the racial wealth gap, including increased investment in communities of color and efforts to ensure equal access to economic opportunities.
- Tackling Gun Violence
– Impact: Supported comprehensive gun control measures aimed at reducing gun violence, which disproportionately affects Black communities. These efforts include advocating for universal background checks and banning assault weapons.
- Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights
– Impact: Advocated for the Equality Act, which seeks to provide comprehensive protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination in employment, housing, and other areas. This support helps ensure equal rights and protections for all Americans, including Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Addressing Immigration Reform
– Impact: Worked on creating a more humane and just immigration system, including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. This reform aims to benefit millions of immigrants, including many from Black and Latinx communities.
- Investing in HBCUs
– Impact: Supported increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), enhancing educational opportunities and resources for Black students and contributing to the growth and success of these institutions.
- Promoting Public Health Initiatives
– Impact: Advocated for public health measures and funding to address health disparities, including those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives aim to improve health outcomes for underserved communities, particularly Black and Brown populations.
- Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion in Government
– Impact: Championed diversity and inclusion within the federal government, promoting the appointment of individuals from diverse backgrounds to key positions. This effort ensures that the government better represents and serves all Americans.
- Strengthening the Economy
– Impact: Supported economic policies aimed at creating jobs and boosting economic growth, with a focus on infrastructure investment and innovation. These policies aim to benefit all Americans, including those in economically disadvantaged areas.
- Addressing Student Loan Debt
– Impact: Advocated for policies to alleviate the burden of student loan debt, including proposals for debt forgiveness and more affordable repayment options. This is particularly beneficial for Black and minority students who often carry higher levels of student debt.
- Expanding Access to Affordable Housing
– Impact: Supported initiatives to increase affordable housing and address homelessness, disproportionately affecting Black and minority communities. These efforts include funding for housing programs and policies to prevent evictions.
- Fostering Community Development
– Impact: Promoted community development programs aimed at revitalizing underserved neighborhoods, creating job opportunities, and improving quality of life. These initiatives help uplift communities that have historically been marginalized.
- Supporting Veterans
– Impact: Advocated for policies to support veterans, including improved access to health care, education, and job opportunities. These efforts ensure that those who have served the country receive the benefits and support they deserve.
- Encouraging Technological Innovation
– Impact: Supported initiatives to foster technological innovation and expand access to high-speed internet, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This helps bridge the digital divide and ensures more Americans have access to modern technologies.
- Fighting Hunger and Food Insecurity
– Impact: Promoted policies to address hunger and food insecurity, including expanded access to food assistance programs. These efforts ensure that all Americans, especially children and low-income families, can access nutritious food.
These achievements highlight Vice President Kamala Harris’s commitment to advancing policies that benefit the country, focusing on supporting marginalized communities, Black people, and women. This might not be enough to make you vote for her should she be on the official party ticket; I hope it will motivate you to follow her campaign closely and then make an informed decision.
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