CHICAGO – Vice President Kamala Harris made history last week by becoming the first Black woman and Howard University graduate to accept the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.
In Harris’ Aug. 22 acceptance speech, she presented her stance on several subjects, including the war between Israel and Hamas, reproductive rights and border security.
Harris said that she “will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that the terrorist organization Hamas caused on Oct. 7.”
She also called the past ten months in Gaza “devastating” because of the death toll, which has surpassed 40,000 according to Al Jazeera.
“The suffering in Gaza must end,” she said. “So that the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity.”
Harris referenced former president Donald Trump as an “unserious man” but a “serious threat” due to the Project 2025 agenda, although Trump has denied subscribing to this plan.
“As part of his agenda, he and his allies would limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion and push for a nationwide abortion ban, with or without Congress,” she said.
Harris pledged to reintroduce the bipartisan border security bill that was obstructed by House Republicans. The bill aimed to enhance border security by increasing resources, including adding more than 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection personnel.
It also proposed hiring 4,300 additional asylum officers to expedite and improve the fairness of the asylum process. In her speech, she accused Trump of undermining the bill negotiated in the Senate and causing it to fall apart due to Trump opposing it.
“As President, I will bring back the bipartisan border security bill that he killed. And I will sign it into law. I know we can live up to our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants and reform our broken immigration system,” she said.
Harris’ speech wrapped four days of speeches from prominent figures including Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey as well as everyday Americans at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.
She delivered a 38-minute speech to about 50,000 delegates, volunteers and supporters in the United Center, according to NBC Chicago.
Her speech marks six weeks since she began her campaign against Trump, and just more than 10 weeks until election day on Nov. 5. Harris and Trump are scheduled to have their first debate on Sept. 10.
As Harris was wrapping up her speech, Trump posted on Truth Social, “She’s done nothing for three and a half years but talk, and that’s what she’s doing tonight, she’s complaining about everything but doing nothing!”
The former president then called in on Fox News, reinforcing his view that Harris was complaining excessively.
“She should leave the speech right now, go to Washington, D.C., close the border, allow fracking in Pennsylvania and other places, and start doing the things she’s complaining about aren’t done,” Trump said.
In contrast to the criticism, Isaac Bobl, a Howard alumnus, shared his excitement about attending the DNC to witness a historic moment and to see what he said was the culmination of Harris’ years of hard work.
“This is going to be great for Howard, great for each and every alumni, great for each and every individual who had dreams and wanted to walk into their purpose,” Bobl said. “This is a game changer for sure.”
Howard alumni were present at the event, including some of Harris’ line sisters from her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. On the final night of the convention, right before speeches Howard’s famous cheer, “HU, You Know!” rang out.
Carlita Thompson, a Howard alumna from the class of 1986, recognized Harris accepting the nomination as a moment of pride.
“It celebrated her association with Howard. It helped to validate the University’s standing in the educational community,” she said.
“People have had this mindset that going to an HBCU was less than,” Thompson continued. “It was like a celebration of the role the University had in shaping her as a successful individual.”
After Harris’ speech, Dionna Maria Lewis, a D.C. delegate and committee member for the D.C. Democratic state committee expressed inspiration and pride in being a Black woman after listening to her speech.
“I’m letting my little girls know that you really can be president, right? It’s not just a talking point anymore. It really is a real thing, because we now have a woman who has become the Democratic nominee,” she said.
Before wrapping, Harris explained to the audience what type of leader she would be if elected president in November.
“I know there are people of various political views watching tonight, and I want you to know, I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris said.
“You can always trust me to put country above party and self, to hold sacred America’s fundamental principles, from the rule of law to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power,” she said.
“And together,” Harris said to close, “let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.”
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
