In the storied history of American politics, countless barriers have been erected and subsequently shattered in the seemingly unending pursuit of equality. Among the most significant of these achievements is the remarkable journey of Kamala Devi Harris, a woman of Jamaican and Indian descent who ascended to the highest echelons of power, embodying the American dream in its purest form. Her story is not just one of personal triumph but also a testament to the enduring possibility that America offers to those who dare to reach for the proverbial brass ring.
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to parents who believed deeply in the civil rights movement, planting the seeds of justice and social advocacy early in her life (Biography.com, 2021). From her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, Harris inherited an unyielding resilience and the insistence that “you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last” (Harris, 2019). Her father, Donald Harris, an economics professor from Jamaica, instilled in her a fierce intellect and the conviction to challenge the status quo.
As a young woman, Harris’ path was one of audacious ambition and a commitment to public service. She attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she immersed herself in the political and cultural tapestry that would define her career. She then returned to California to earn her law degree at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (Harris, “The Truths We Hold”).
Her career as a prosecutor began in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she quickly garnered a reputation for toughness, particularly on cases of sexual assault. Harris’s trajectory as a trailblazing legal professional thrust her into the public spotlight when she became the first woman and the first African American to be elected as San Francisco’s district attorney in 2003 (San Francisco DA’s Office).
In her rise to the national stage, Harris continued to shatter glass ceilings. Not satisfied with merely local achievements, she targeted the position of attorney general of California. In 2010, after a hotly contested election, she emerged victorious, becoming the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian to hold the office in the history of the state (California Department of Justice).
During her tenure, Harris focused on fighting for consumers, advancing civil rights, and championing criminal justice reforms. Her work in these areas was both pioneering and polarizing, often placing her at the crucible of intense public debate (Lerer, 2020). Yet, even as she faced criticism, Harris’s resolve to pursue what she saw as the path of justice never wavered.
The next conceivable step for someone with the ambitious pedigree of Kamala Harris was, of course, the United States Senate. In 2016, Californians elected her to represent them, and during her time in the Senate, Harris gained national recognition for her incisive questioning of Trump administration officials and nominees, including Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings (C-Span, 2018).
However, it was the 2020 Presidential election that would truly catapult Harris onto the world stage. After a brief presidential campaign of her own, Harris was chosen by Democratic nominee Joe Biden as his running mate. Her selection was historic, and the implications were vast. If elected, she would be the first female vice president, as well as the first African American and first South Asian to hold the office (BBC News, 2020).
The moment Biden and Harris were declared winners of the election is forever etched in the annals of American history. Upon taking the oath of office on January 20, 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris dismantled a barrier that had stood for more than two centuries, ushering in a new era of representation and hope for millions of Americans, particularly women and people of color who saw in her the realization of long-deferred dreams.
In her role as vice president, Harris holds significant sway in a divided Senate, serving not only as a tie-breaking vote but also as a key advisor and representative on the global stage. From addressing migration issues at the southern border to negotiating with world leaders, her portfolio is wide-ranging and crucial to the Biden administration’s agenda (White House Briefing Room, 2021).
Vice President Kamala Harris symbolizes the arc of progress in the American narrative—a tale that intertwines ambition with opportunity, and perseverance with achievement. Her story is peppered with ‘firsts’ that break through the ceilings of race, gender, and immigrant heritage, yet it is her persistence to leave the ladder down for those who come after her that truly encapsulates the essence of her contribution to the American story.
In reflecting upon the life and career of Vice President Kamala Harris, it is evident that her narrative is not merely one of personal accomplishment but a broader reflection of a nation grappling with its ideals of equality and representation. As the country continues to evolve, stories like Harris’s serve as powerful affirmations that while the arc of the moral universe may indeed be long, it persistently bends towards justice—for all who are willing to pursue it with unwavering determination and hope.
Lavelle Eagle is the assistant editor of Brotha Magazine.
