Book Overview — The Truths We Hold
Kamala Harris, the first female vice president of the United States and second black woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate, has a memoir entitled "The Truths We Hold - An American Journey." A 336-page book published by Penguin Books in January 2019. It is a mixture of memoir, biography, and politics that details Kamala Harris's life journey, including her family history, her education, her professional career, and her political aspirations.
Early Life and Career
Kamala Harris was born in 1964 in Oakland, California, to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father. Her parents were both involved in the civil rights movement, and her mother was a breast cancer researcher, while her father was an economics professor. Harris attended Howard University, a historically black college in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics. After graduating from Howard, Harris attended law school at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she earned her law degree in 1989.
After law school, Harris began her career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, where she worked for eight years. During this time, Harris developed a reputation for being tough on crime and for advocating for victims of crime. In 2003, Harris became the district attorney of San Francisco, the first woman, and the first person of color to hold the position. As district attorney, Harris implemented a number of innovative programs, including a program that focused on reducing recidivism rates among young offenders and a program that provided support and counseling to victims of domestic violence.
In 2010, Harris was elected attorney general of California, becoming the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to hold the position. As attorney general, Harris focused on a number of issues, including consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and environmental protection. She also worked to combat human trafficking and to improve the treatment of immigrants in detention centers.
Political Career
In 2016, Harris ran for the U.S. Senate seat in California, winning the election and becoming the second black woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate. During her time in the Senate, Harris has worked on a number of issues, including criminal justice reform, healthcare, and immigration. She has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's policies and has been a strong advocate for the rights of women and minorities.
In 2019, Kamala Harris announced her candidacy for president of the United States. During her campaign, Harris emphasized her commitment to criminal justice reform, affordable healthcare, and protecting the rights of immigrants and marginalized communities. Despite strong initial momentum, Harris ultimately suspended her campaign in December 2019 due to lack of funds.
However, Harris's political aspirations were far from over. In August 2020, she was chosen as the running mate for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, making history as the first Black and South Asian American woman to be on a major political party's presidential ticket. Biden and Harris went on to win the 2020 presidential election, with Harris becoming the first female vice president in U.S. history.
In her role as vice president, Harris has continued to advocate for criminal justice reform, affordable healthcare, and the rights of marginalized communities. She has also taken on a number of additional responsibilities, including leading the administration's efforts to address the root causes of migration from Central America and serving as the chair of the National Space Council.
Summary
Kamala Harris's life journey and political career have been marked by a commitment to public service, social justice, and breaking barriers. Her memoir, "The Truths We Hold - An American Journey," offers readers a glimpse into her personal and professional experiences and her vision for the future of the United States. As the first female vice president and a trailblazer for women and minorities in politics, Harris's influence and impact on American society are sure to be felt for years to come.
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