You know this election is a big deal. Like, the future of democracy itself feels like it’s hanging in the balance. Even though there’s drama with Biden, we can’t lose focus. Kamala Harris is out here at Essence Fest trying to rally Black voters, because she knows we need to turn out to stop Trump from pulling some dictator move if he gets back in office. This could be the most important election ever. Harris is keeping it real, saying we already know Trump’s true intentions if he wins again. We can’t let that happen.
Kamala Harris Focuses on Black Voters and Outreach
Black Voter Outreach Tour
You’ve probably seen the headlines – Kamala Harris is hitting the road on a targeted outreach tour aimed at Black voters, especially Black women. This is a major push by the Biden-Harris team to rev up a key part of their base ahead of the 2024 election.
Harris kicked things off at the annual ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans, a massive celebration of Black culture and music. Speaking to the predominantly Black female audience, she didn’t mince words about the stakes, calling the upcoming election “the most significant of our lifetime.” Her core message? Trump is an existential threat to democracy who wants to be a “dictator.”
Sorority Circuit and HBCU Stops
But the ESSENCE fest was just the start. Harris has a full slate of outreach events planned at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as well as with prominent Black sororities like Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta.
These are strategic stops for sure – Black sororities and HBCUs were hugely influential in driving Black voter turnout and enthusiasm for Biden in 2020. By hitting these familiar community hubs, Harris hopes to rekindle that energy and activism for the upcoming cycle.
Philly Launch of National Program
Harris’ outreach blitz is just one part of a larger national program being launched by Biden and his team. The kickoff event is set for Philadelphia next week, with a major speech from Biden himself laying out his agenda for the Black community.
So while the president himself has been sidelined a bit by, well, being president, his number two is making an unprecedented push to galvanize a crucial Democratic constituency. It’s Black voters, especially Black women, who helped deliver the White House in 2020. The big question now? Whether this full-court press can recreate that energy in 2024.
Harris Campaigns Heavily in South Carolina and the Southern States
The South Carolina Strategy
You can’t win the Democratic nomination without the support of Black voters, and Harris knows that South Carolina is critical. The state has the highest percentage of Black voters in the early primary states, and it served as a firewall for Biden in 2020 after disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Harris has been a frequent visitor to South Carolina, holding events at historically Black colleges and churches across the state. Just this week, she rallied voters at South Carolina State University, the state’s largest public HBCU. Her message? That she and Biden are the ones to take on Trump’s “extremist” MAGA movement.
Targeting Southern Black Voters
But it’s not just South Carolina. Harris is also heavily campaigning across the South, stopping in states like Georgia, North Carolina, and her birth state of California. Her goal is to shore up Black voter enthusiasm and turnout after some recent polls showed a dip in support for Biden among this key Democratic constituency.
You see, Black voters were crucial to Biden’s 2020 victory. So Harris is determined not to let that energy fizzle out, hitting Black churches, community events, and college campuses to drive home that Trump represents an “existential threat to our freedom and democracy.” Strong words, but she’s betting this kind of urgent messaging will resonate.
Ignoring the Biden Drama
What you won’t hear much from Harris, though, is talk of the growing concerns over Biden’s age and stamina. Many worry he may not run for a second term in 2024, potentially setting up a messy fight over the nomination.
But Harris is laser-focused on the here and now, dismissing such speculation as “ridiculous partisan chatter.” Her singular mission is to get Biden re-elected by rallying the Democratic base, especially Black voters who have been so pivotal to their political fortunes. Only after November 2024 will she entertain those other questions.
Harris Promises to Fight for Criminal Justice Reform
A Pivotal Issue for Black Voters
When it comes to criminal justice reform, Kamala Harris knows just how pivotal this issue is for Black voters across America. With her comprehensive plan to overhaul the system, she’s pledging real change that could impact millions of lives. Her voice rings clear: it’s time to end mass incarceration.
Getting Smart on Crime
One of the core pillars of Harris’s vision is shifting away from outdated “tough on crime” policies towards smarter, evidence-based solutions. That means investing heavily in community programs proven to reduce crime and recidivism rates. From job training to mental health services, she wants resources going where they’ll make a real difference.
It’s an approach grounded in data, not rhetoric. Harris understands that over-incarceration, especially for non-violent drug offenses, has devastated too many families and communities of color. Her plan tackles this head-on, promising to:
- Legalize marijuana at the federal level
- End mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent crimes
- Abolish the death penalty nationwide
Using the Clemency Power
Beyond new policies, Harris also aims to leverage the president’s clemency powers in a big way. Her goal? Reduce the number of people languishing in federal prisons on excessive sentences, especially for drug-related convictions from the failed “War on Drugs” era.
It’s an issue close to her heart. As a Senator, Harris has been a vocal champion for major reforms like the First Step Act. Now, she wants to go even further in righting the wrongs of a system stacked against people of color.
Restoring Trust and Accountability
At its core, Harris’s criminal justice agenda seeks to restore trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. That means real accountability through measures like:
- Banning chokeholds and carotid holds
- Creating a national police system to track misconduct
- Prohibiting no-knock warrants for drug cases at the federal level
It’s a holistic vision for sweeping change. One that could finally start dismantling the systemic racism deeply embedded in the U.S. criminal justice system. For Black voters seeking real reform, Kamala Harris is offering a bold new path forward.
Harris Highlights Her HBCU Connections and Support
An Alumna’s Advantage
You know Kamala Harris has a secret weapon when it comes to connecting with Black voters, right? She’s an HBCU grad herself! That’s right, Harris attended the renowned Howard University, one of the most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the nation.
Her time at the iconic HBCU left an indelible mark. Harris often reminisces about her college days, like rushing the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and joining student government. These shared experiences give her a unique bond and inherent advantage with HBCU alumni and the broader Black community.
Boosting HBCU Support
Harris knows firsthand the vital role HBCUs play. That’s why the Biden-Harris administration has showered these institutions with funding and support. We’re talking over $16 billion invested to upgrade facilities, bolster academic programs, and increase affordability.
The VP has also made it a priority to elevate her HBCU ties on the campaign trail. Her team’s ramping up events and outreach highlighting her Howard roots and HBCU agenda. It’s a smart play to boost turnout among a key Democratic base.
Connecting Through Shared Experiences
At events like the recent Essence Fest, Harris leans into her HBCU background to forge connections. She reminisces about homecoming festivities, dorm life, and other relatable experiences only HBCU grads can truly appreciate.
It’s a savvy way for Harris to tout her personal story while underscoring her administration’s tangible support for these underfunded schools. By flexing her HBCU credentials and commitment, she aims to inspire Black voters and remind them of what’s at stake this election.
Harris Avoids Commenting on Biden Controversies
Playing It Safe
You’ve probably noticed that Kamala Harris has been keeping mum on all the controversies surrounding Joe Biden lately. As his running mate, she’s steering clear of addressing any concerns about his faltering performance or speculation about her potential presidential ambitions. Her strategy seems to be focusing on her agenda while avoiding any drama that could rock the boat.
Radio Silence
Harris hasn’t publicly commented on Biden’s shaky debate showings, verbal gaffes, or cognitive lapses whatsoever. Her allies are getting frustrated with the rampant rumors about a possible 2024 run if Biden doesn’t seek re-election. But Harris herself refuses to be drawn into that speculation, maintaining total radio silence.
Eyes on the Prize
Instead, Harris is firmly keeping her eye on the bigger picture – beating Trump in 2024 and rallying the Black voters who were crucial to their 2020 victory. At the Essence Festival, she warned it’s “the most significant election of our lifetime” and painted Trump as an aspiring “dictator.” By avoiding Biden’s controversies, Harris can squarely target Black outreach without any distractions.
Benefit of the Doubt
Of course, Harris’ reticence could simply reflect loyalty and respect for Biden as the sitting president. Perhaps she’s giving him the benefit of the doubt, at least publicly. Or maybe Harris realizes fanning any flames about Biden’s struggles would only undermine their party’s chances against an emboldened Trump. Either way, her strategy of silence lets her focus on her priorities for now.
Conclusion
So keep your eyes on the prize – this election is too important to sit out or waste your vote. We need you to show up and show out like you did in 2020. Let’s come together once more, stay focused on the future, and stop Trump’s dangerous agenda in its tracks. Your voice, your enthusiasm, and your vote have the power to shape history. Use them wisely.
