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Former Vice President Kamala Harris believes the Democratic Party has failed to fully prioritize Black women.
Harris got candid about the need to address issues that directly impact Black women while promoting her new book, "107 Days," on Storehouse & Friends, a conversation series hosted by entrepreneur Tamira Chapman.
When asked about how she balanced her identity with her political mission, Harris said she believes Democrats have "taken Black women for granted."
“I think the Democratic Party has taken Black women for granted,” Harris said. “There are very specific issues that impact Black women in America that should be some of the highest priorities. I made them priorities when I was vice president, such as Black maternal mortality.”
Harris, who was the first Black woman to serve as vice president and to top a major party's presidential ticket, got candid about the pressure of being "the first." During the conversation, Harris also pointed out how the current administration has cut funding for scientific research if it has the word ‘woman’ or ‘Black’ in it.”
“I’m never going to shy away from who I am,” she said. “I’m never going to feel burdened that, because of who I am in terms of my race and my gender, that I should pretend not to be.”
Reflecting on her historic presidential campaign, Harris said she endured intense scrutiny that sought to “deflect from accomplishment, credibility, and what [she] was prepared to do for the country.” Still, the former vice president expressed optimism about the future of the nation and urged her supporters to stay engaged.
“There was an incredible amount of optimism and a sense of possibilities and, dare I say, joy,” Harris said. “We cannot let any one election or individual dampen that light that we all carry.”
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