Column: Research the 2020 presidential candidates before you vote
2019 has been monumental for both women and minorities.
On January 21, Kamala Devi Harris announced her Presidential candidacy for the Democratic Party in 2020. This announcement fell on MLK day and paid respect to Shirley Chisholm, the first African American female in Congress and Presidential nominee.
Harris was the first black and South Asian district attorney in San Francisco and the first to become attorney general in California. She attended Howard University and University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Though she is known for prosecuting murder, robbery, and child rape cases, her record is mixed with both good and questionable things.
In 2004, she developed a program called Back on Track. This program was created to assist nonviolent, first time drug-offenders with the transition back into society and prevent them from being a reoffender.
Harris has defended equality for the LGBTQIA community. In 2013, she dismissed California’s voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. She expressed, “The Supreme Court has described marriage as a fundamental right 14 times since 1888. The time has come for this right to be afforded to every citizen.”
Notwithstanding those notable achievements, her recent actions raise suspicion. As a district attorney in San Francisco, she advocated for a statewide anti-truancy law. Harris put the mallet down on parents of children that missed school regularly. She threatens imprisonment and fines up to $2,000 for parents who allow chronic school absence.
In 2016, Harris resisted a bill that required her office to scrutinize shootings by police. She also refused to chime in on state ballot to legalize recreational marijuana. Marcia Godwin, a professor of public administration at the University of La Verne, revealed that Harris “pretty strongly hinted that she supported sentencing reform and was pretty open about the desire to reduce incarceration rates.” Unfortunately, she managed “to actively avoid answering questions about marijuana legalization.”
Research is the modern world’s worst enemy. We are so quick to buy into what looks like us. We rarely question the poison that sits inside some of the most charismatic leaders. Some things Harris has chosen to support have caused her competency to be questioned. In order to be an effective leader, you must be held accountable, as well as consistent.
Kamala Harris consistently lies in her ability to take on controversy cases in order to keep herself relevant. America does not need another attention seeking president. America needs a president who is dedicated to the longevity of progress in our country.
While I will always respect a black woman who works hard for this country, I do believe being black should not be your ticket to admission into the white house. Being elected as president should be solely based on how you show America that we can be rejuvenated from the last four years.
Columns written by editors and writers of Pacer Times do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff members or leadership. Letters to the editor may be emailed to Editor-in-Chief Cecilia Maddox at cmy@usca.edu, and will be published at the editorial staff’s discretion.
