Vice President Kamala Harris Discusses Race, Reparations, and Systemic Injustices During Interview with Black Journalists

Vice President Kamala Harris Makes Historic Statements on Race and Reparations

In a groundbreaking interview with the National Association of Black Journalists and WHYY public radio, Vice President Kamala Harris delved into the topic of race more extensively than ever before. Harris, the first Black woman and Indian American to be a major party nominee, discussed reparations for the first time as vice president and highlighted the systemic harms inflicted on Black communities throughout American history.

During the interview, Harris emphasized the importance of acknowledging the generational impact of slavery, redlining, and Jim Crow laws. She expressed support for H.R.40, a bill that would create a commission to study the history of slavery and racial discrimination, signaling her commitment to addressing these issues through legislative means.

While some have called for executive action on reparations, Harris emphasized the role of Congress in holding hearings and elevating knowledge about the history of slavery and racial discrimination. She also tied her stance on reparations to her broader economic plan, which aims to address obstacles faced by Black communities in areas such as student loan debt, medical debt, bias in home appraisals, and Black maternal mortality.

Advocates like U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee praised Harris for her acknowledgment of the need for reparative solutions to address the impact of slavery and discrimination. Marcus Anthony Hunter, chair of African-American studies at UCLA, described the interview as meaningful and emphasized the importance of continuing the discussion on reparations and reparative justice.

Despite her previous reluctance to focus on her racial identity during her presidential campaign, Harris asserted her Black identity during the interview and emphasized the importance of earning the support of Black voters based on her actions and policies. The interview marked a significant shift in Harris’ approach to discussing race and reparations, signaling a renewed commitment to addressing systemic inequalities in America.