Kamala Harris has been in elected office for over 20 years, but many people wonder if she has truly made a difference for Black Americans.
She has held high-profile positions as California's Attorney General, a U.S. Senator, and now Vice President. However, questions remain about how well her actions have supported and protected Black people. How effective have her efforts been in combating white supremacy and addressing racial issues?
For example, President Biden signed legislation to address hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly focusing on the rise in violence against Asian Americans, known as the Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Bill. But have Black people received similar protections against violence across our country?
1. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
One of the most significant pieces of legislation Harris has advocated for is the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This bill aims to address police brutality , excessive force, and racial bias in policing.
- Banning chokeholds and carotid holds.
- Prohibiting no-knock warrants in federal drug cases.
- Mandating data collection on police encounters
- Establishing a National Police Misconduct Registry to prevent problematic officers from moving between jurisdictions.
Learn More Here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1280
2. COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act
In response to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black communities, Harris introduced the COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act. This legislation focuses on:
- Addressing healthcare inequities which means making sure that black communities get the resources and support they need for good health.
- Collecting and analyzing data to better understand and combat the virus's impact on these communities.
-Providing guidance and recommendations to improve public health responses for racial and ethnic community's .
Learn More Here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6763
3. The Maternal CARE Act
Harris has been a vocal advocate for improving maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women, who face significantly higher rates of maternal mortality. The Maternal CARE Act includes:
- Training programs for healthcare providers to address implicit biases.
Implicit bias includes the subconscious feelings, attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes an individual has developed due to prior influences
- Grants for states to implement pregnancy medical home programs that provide coordinated care.
- Support for research on maternal health disparities.
This act aims to cut down on preventable deaths among mothers and make sure that all mothers get fair and equal healthcare.
4. Lift Act
Co-sponsored by Harris, the LIFT (Livable Incomes for Families Today) Act proposes:
- Providing up to $6,000 annually to working families through a refundable tax credit.
- Addressing income inequality and helping to lift millions of Americans, including many Black families, out of poverty.
This financial support would make a significant difference in the lives of many struggling to make ends meet.
5. Anti-Lynching Legislation
Harris has also co-sponsored anti-lynching legislation, specifically the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which:
- Designates lynching as a federal hate crime.
- Ensures harsher penalties for those who commit such acts of racial violence.
This bill acknowledges and seeks to address the long history of racial terror and injustice faced by Black Americans due to White Supremacy and the KKK.
Learn More At: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/55
6. Marijuana Justice Act
Harris has also been a proponent of marijuana reform, advocating for the Marijuana Justice Act. This bill focuses on:
- Decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level.
- Removing past marijuana convictions, which mostly impact Black and other minority communities.
- Reinvesting in communities affected by the War on Drugs through job training, health education, and other community-based programs.
This legislation aims to address the racial disparities in drug-related arrests and convictions and promote social justice.
7. The "Defund the Police" Movement
Kamala Harris has supported efforts to reform policing, although she did not fully endorse the "Defund the Police" movement. Her focus has been on:
-Increasing police accountability and transparency.
-Advocating for better oversight of police practices.
-Supporting reforms to address systemic issues within police departments.
8. Student Debt Relief
Despite stereotypes, Black Americans are making significant progress in higher education. For example:
The number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Black students increased by 75% from 2000–2001 to 2015–2016.
The number of associate degrees earned by Black students rose by 110% during the same period.
Enrollment in master’s degree programs nearly doubled for Black students between 1996 and 2016.
Kamala Harris has been a strong advocate for easing student debt burdens. Her efforts include:
-Supporting proposals to simplify and expand student loan forgiveness.
-Pushing for measures to reduce the overall cost of higher education.
-Advocating for policies that help students and graduates manage their debt more effectively.
Learn More At: https://www.ed.gov/category/keyword/student-debt-relief
9. Condemning White Supremacy
Besides her work on laws, Harris has strongly spoken out against white supremacy. She has supported statements and resolutions that condemn white supremacist violence and has pushed for stronger federal action against domestic terrorism based on racial hatred. These efforts include: These efforts include:
- Introducing Senate Resolutions to condemn white supremacist hate groups.
Learn More Here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/1359
It's important for everyone to understand the candidates and issues that will affect our future. No one else should be responsible for telling us who to vote for. It's up to each of us to research and make informed choices. By learning about the laws and policies that impact us, we can vote in line with our values and help choose leaders who will bring positive change for years to come.
For more information on how the Biden-Harris administration is advancing equity and opportunity for Black Americans and communities across the country, you can read the White House Fact Sheet https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/02/27/fact-sheet-the-biden-%E2%81%A0harris-administration-advances-equity-and-opportunity-for-black-americans-and-communities-across-the-country/
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