Aug 1, 2021
Kamala, it’s time to FIGHT!
An op-ed highlighting why Vice President Harris needs to strongly push back against the cynicism, criticism, and misconceptions concerning her role and performance as vice president.
By: Ian L. Courts, Esq.
An Opinion Piece.
It’s August, the seventh month under the Biden-Harris Administration. Vaccination rates have increased, the economy is slowly recovering — though it has its ebbs and flows, students are returning to schools, Americans are slowly returning to work, and the country remains deeply divided. President Biden is riding a wave of popularity among a plurality of Americans. At the same time, his second-in-command, Vice President Harris, is politically unpopular among Republicans, Progressives Leftists, and White women. Moreover, the mainstream media has created a narrative that the Madame Vice President, who happens to be the first woman VPOTUS, and a woman of color, is “unprepared, frivolous, and incompetent.” Harris, like many politicians, has had her share of missteps; however, her mistakes have been magnified, and her character vilified to the point, her approval rating amongst the broader public is hurting. Vice President is stuck in a tough spot — she has to demonstrate an extreme degree of loyalty to the President because of bad feelings left over from the primary, and she must carve out her own legacy and lane with no framework to work from. Despite the odds stacked against her, my words of advice to Vice President Harris are, “Kamala; it’s time to fight!”
“Women must become revolutionary. This cannot be evolution but revolution.” — Representative Shirley Chisholm.
- Trust Your Political Instincts
Vice President Harris, you have risen to the vice presidency because of your political calculations and miscalculations — learn from your mistakes and trust your gut. California politics were and still are tough (ask Governor Newsom), but you were able to successfully navigate the political leviathan of one of the largest states in the Union. In 2004, you mounted an almost impossible challenge to an incumbent district attorney and won 56% of the vote. Moreover, you were re-elected to the same role despite taking heat from political elites — Dianne Feinstein & the Police Union — for your refusal to seek the death penalty in a high-profile case. You also endorsed a novice Senator named Barack Obama in 2008 over the establishment candidate Hilary Clinton.
You went on in 2010 to become the Attorney General of California after defeating a political veteran and was re-elected — winning 57% of the vote. Additionally, you ran and was easily elected to the U.S. Senate, representing California, becoming the second Black Woman senator. Despite you dropping out in 2019 of the 2020 Democratic Nomination contest, you were selected out of a competitive group of women to be Biden’s vice presidential nominee after smartly weighing your viability. Moreover, with your name on the ticket and your active participation in the election, Biden and you won a close election with more votes than has ever been cast for a presidential nominee. Trust yourself and your instinct — you got here because of your gut, now use it!
2. Utilize your Executive Experience
As mentioned above, you have an extensive governmental CV, specifically within the executive office. You were District Attorney of San Francisco, a major American city with a large criminal justice system. While you were D.A., you made decisions and policies on the death penalty, sexual assault, rehabilitation efforts, etc. You literally had the power to determine whether to prosecute or not; receive the death penalty or live.
As Attorney General, you were the chief law enforcement officer for the second largest justice department within the United States. As Attorney General, you took on transnational gangs, immigration, criminal justice policy, economic injustice, and environmental issues. Moreover, you had the power of California’s justice system to protect the public's interest in a wide variety of areas and issues. The Biden Administration is currently facing every issue, especially the ones you’ve been assigned (i.e., voting rights and immigration) you have experience working with!
Furthermore, despite your short-term as a United States Senator, you sat on some of the most powerful and important committees — Intelligence, Homeland Security, Budget, and the Judiciary — where you excelled in public and private hearings. Moreover, you were lauded by your Republican and Democratic colleagues for being detail-oriented, a hard worker, and thorough in your private committee work. Presently, in your role as Vice President, you are the second-highest executive officer in the United States government, and much like President Biden, you’ve served on every level (local, state, and national) of the American government. You have the experience; execute it!
3. Rely on your Black Women's Network
“At present, our county needs women’s idealism and determination, perhaps more in politics than anywhere else.” — Representative Shirley Chisholm.
Black Women lead and have always led in the country. Additionally, Black Women are the strongest and most consistent voting bloc of the Democratic party. As with Representative Shirley Chisholm’s presidential run, and has been demonstrated in your political career — Black women have been your biggest supporters. As the first Black Woman in the role of Vice President of the United States of America, it’s time for you to show up and show out for Black women — via policy, being bold, and being successful! Address social and economic issues affecting Black Women such as the wage gap, lack of access to small business capital, deficiencies in maternal care, and access to quality and affordable child care. You are in your most impactful role to date; use that impact for the people that supported — and still do support you.
4. Challenge Tradition
“I am and always will be a catalyst for change.” — Representative Shirley Chisholm.
There has never been a woman vice president before your ascension in January of this year. You do not have to mold yourself into a playbook that was not created for you; nay, you have the power to create a new lane and chart your own path. Past vice presidents were expected to be blindly loyal, never speak out of turn, take on politically risky assignments, and remain unpopular and unseen. However, you are serving in a time where women and minority groups are demanded not only a seat at the table but that the table be turned over, and a new seating chart set up! Harness the energy for change and progress and pioneer your own way. Be bold and assertive, publically state your viewpoints, push the Biden Administration in a more equitable and progressive direction(As Biden did on the same-sex marriage debate when he was V.P. to Obama) on economic, environmental, and social issues.
5. Speak up, and Speak Out
Remember when you challenged Biden in 2019 for his tactless comments on Southern racists, cross-examined Bill Barr on his disloyalty to the rule of law, made Jeff Sessions nervous, and made Brett Kavanaugh stumble in his Confirmation hearing? Your power is in your voice, and as you did then, you must do now… speak up, and speak out! Challenge those that seek to cripple progress and hinder society — within the GOP, Democratic establishment, and Progressive Left. As your role model, Representative Shirley Chisholm boldly declared, “my greatest political asset, which professional politicians fear, is my mouth…!” Vice President Harris, speak your damn mind, and do not worry about the political blowback because the truth is always uncomfortable but sorely needed.
6. Laugh, Keep your Sense of Humor
Remember, you are a “joyful warrior!” as you have said, meaning that you fight but remain optimistic about the outcomes ahead. The Media uses your joyfulness and laughter against you to paint you as uncaring, flippant, and unserious. Still, you recognize that joy is a powerful weapon in a time of uncertainty and hope.
7. Most of All, Fight for the People!
“There is a little place in the political scheme of things for an independent, creative personality, for a fighter. Anyone who takes that role must pay the price.” — Representative Shirley Chisholm.
As you have said in your professional role as a district attorney and your speech at the Iowa Democratic Liberty & Justice Celebration in 2019, “In my life, I have only had one client, the people.” As vice president, it’s time to define clearly — who the people are; more than that, it is time to fight for them! DACA participants are in limbo, Black men and women are fighting for social equity, women are fighting to exert their place, the middle and working class are fighting to preserve their economic life, persons with preexisting conditions need affordable health care — many need a champion. Kamala, you can be that champion. Fight for what is right, fight for truth…fight for the people!
