I first met Senator Kamala Harris in February 2011 as she gave the keynote address for NARAL Pro-Choice’s 38th anniversary luncheon in Washington, D.C. She highly impressed me. That was before she became a U.S. Senator and now candidate for Democratic nominee for president. I followed her campaign for president as well as that of the other 20 plus candidates. I watched as she opened her campaign headquarters in my hometown -Baltimore. Her presidential campaign appeared to be at times—lackluster and devoid of what I saw of her in 2011. At last night’s debate, Senator Harris shined like a rare diamond. As a black woman and former prosecutor, I could not have been prouder of Kamala Harris than if she were my own sister. The debate exchange between Senator Harris and Vice President Joe Biden was emotional and a rare teaching lesson for America. While discussing the issue of school busing and Biden’s past support against busing Black students to integrate schools, she made the point … [Read more...] about Kamala Harris Schools Joe Biden and America
Kamala Harris
2020 Presidential Candidates Must Address Criminal Justice
On Sunday, June 23, Mayor Pete Buttigieg had a wake-up call on criminal justice issues. Instead of prepping for the Democratic presidential debate to be held on June 27, Buttigieg held a South Bend, Indiana town hall over the fatal police shooting of a 54 -year old black man by a white police officer. The police officer’s body camera did not record the shooting. Many black residents expressed anger at Buttigieg over the city’s ongoing criminal justice issues involving blacks and the police. Eric Logan was just the latest black man shot and killed by a police officer. He follows a long list of many others throughout the country. This is not an isolated issue solely for Mayor Buttigieg but for all Democratic presidential candidates in 2020. Criminal justice reform, including police shootings and killings of blacks, is an issue that must be addressed by Democratic presidential contenders. As an African American woman and former prosecutor, it’s painful to listen to my friends … [Read more...] about 2020 Presidential Candidates Must Address Criminal Justice
Scalia’s Replacement Should be an African American Woman
With the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia on February 13, President Obama has a chance to make a lasting legacy upon the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court is now split with four conservatives and four liberals. With a lifetime appointment, there is an opportunity to impact our country for generations. And I urge President Obama to nominate an African American woman to the highest Court of the U.S. I do not ask for appointment of an African American woman justice because there has never been one to sit on the bench in its history since 1789. I certainly do not ask because of any quotas that Justice Scalia spoke of in terms of African Americans. I do not ask because Justice Scalia would turn over in his grave. I do not ask because Black women voted higher than any other group to re-elect President Obama in 2012. I ask because the bench needs to further reflect the diversity of our country, in terms of women and Blacks. The nine member bench currently … [Read more...] about Scalia’s Replacement Should be an African American Woman