By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com
Vice President Kamala Harris joined members of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for an interview in Philadelphia at the studios of WHYY on Sept. 17.
The convening came after Trump made an appearance at the annual NABJ convention in Chicago on July 31. Harris says she was unable to attend the July discussion due to schedule conflicts.
Before the discussion began, Ken Lemon, president of NABJ, explained that NABJ is a nonpartisan organization that is happy to provide a platform for candidates to address various topics.
“Every four years, we ask the presidential nominees to meet with us and answer questions about important issues,” said Lemon. “I am proud to say that for the first time in 24 years both the Republican and Democratic nominees have accepted our invitation.”
Dianna S. Jones, a 80-year-old New Jersey native who has relocated to Philadelphia, doted on her past opportunities to witness history makers make change in real time.
“I had the honor of seeing President Obama, Mayor Wilson Goode, the first Black mayor of Philadelphia, and our new 100th mayor, Sheree Parker, ” Jones told the AFRO, adding that she believes Harris “deserves a chance.”
“She can’t do worse than anyone else, she has to do better – I like what she stands for,” said Jones.
The intimate panel discussion was reserved for NABJ professional and student members and 100 students enrolled in journalism and communications classes at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“I think that it’s very important that the vice president and NABJ have Black students from local HBCUs come to this event,” Hal Willard, a junior communications major at Pennsylvania’s Cheyney University, told the AFRO. “Not only does it show the various opportunities for students that are preparing to graduate, but also it amplifies Black voices and Black opinions,” said Willard.
Before starting the discussion, Vice President Harris told the NABJ members present why it was important to discuss the issues with them.
“It is very important that we ensure that this organization and your members always have the resources and the platforms to deliver the voices that must be heard,” she said.
Economy
Harris was asked if the economy is better now than it was four years ago. She noted that the Biden Administration inherited an unstable economy.
“Four years ago, when we came in, we came in during the worst unemployment since the Great Depression. We came in during the worst public health epidemic in centuries – we came in after the worst attack on our democracies since the Civil War,” said Harris. “And a lot of it is due in large part to the mismanagement by the former president as it relates to COVID and obviously Jan. 6th.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “the unemployment rate in April 2020 increased by 10.3 percentage points to 14.7 percent – the highest rate and the largest over-the-month increase in the history of the data (available back to January 1948).”
Harris explained that they had to “clean up a mess,” but work has been done in the past four years. She stated that the Biden-Harris administration has created “16 million new jobs, over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs” and there has been an historic decline in Black unemployment rates.
She shared some of the plans she would like to implement under her proposed “opportunity economy,” including more assistance to first-time home buyers by providing $25,000 down payment assistance “so they can just get their foot in the door.”
They have also been working on providing more stability in health care by capping the cost for insulin for seniors at $35 and the cost of prescription medication for seniors at $2,000.
“Is the price of groceries still too high? Yes. Do we have more work to do? Yes,” Harris said.
The Black male vote
Harris was asked about Black men and the notion that they will not show up for her at the polls, but rather her opponent instead.
“I think it’s very important to not operate from the assumption that Black men are in anybody’s pocket – Black men are like any other voting group,” said Harris. “You gotta earn their vote. So I’m working to earn the vote, not assuming I’m going to have it because I am Black.”
She explained that under her opportunity economy she wants to provide more economic resources for the Black male population, especially those interested in entrepreneurship.
“Small businesses only get a tax deduction of $5,000. Nobody can start a small business with $5,000, so I’m expanding that to $50,000,” Harris said.
According to Pew Research Center in a recent poll, “about three-quarters of Black voters (77 percent) say they would vote for or lean toward Harris if the 2024 presidential election were held today. Another 13 percent say they would back or lean toward Trump.”
Gun Rights
Gun rights became a hot topic once again in the wake of the Sept. 4 school shooting at Georgia’s Apalachee High School.
While Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are gun owners and have said they are “not trying to take anybody’s guns away from them,” on Sept. 17 Harris did express the need for an assault weapons ban and universal background checks.
Gaza
On the topic of the Israel-Hamas War, raging since terrorists attacked and kidnapped thousands of innocent Israeli people on Oct. 7, Harris explained that she believes the war needs to end and there needs to be a ceasefire.
“I absolutely believe that this war has to end, and it has to end as soon as possible,” said Harris. “The way that will be achieved is by getting a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done – we are working around the clock to achieve that.”
Harris was pushed on the topic to give more details on policy regarding this issue, aside from pausing 2,000 pound bombs. She expressed that the most important thing right now is to have a successful two-state deal complete.
“I support Israel’s ability to defend itself, and I support the need for Palestinians to have dignity, self-determination and security as we move forward and get a two-state deal done,” said Harris. “But right now, the thing we need to get done is this hostage deal and the ceasefire deal.”
Haitian Immigrants
During the Sept. 10 presidential debate, former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating pet dogs and cats. Since that time, the community has reported harassment.
“I know that people are deeply troubled by what is happening to that community in Springfield, Ohio – and it’s got to stop,” said Harris. “We’ve got to say that you cannot be entrusted with standing behind the seal of the president of the United States of America, engaging in that hateful rhetoric that, as usual, is designed to divide us as a country.”
Weaponized Joy
One of the last questions Harris received regarded how she is often seen smiling and laughing in campaign ads, and how the content is being weaponized.
“There are some times when your adversaries will try and turn your strength into a weakness. Don’t you let them,” Harris responded. “I think we should all find joy and have a sense of optimism about who we are as Americans and what we mean to each other and what we can do to lift each other up.”
After the debate some students said they felt more confident in their vote after hearing directly from Harris.
“Today was definitely more affirming,” said Gelen St. Fluer Simeon, a sophomore mass communications major at Lincoln University. “I feel as though I’m definitely more comfortable with my decision and who I want to see in office.”
“I feel a little bit safer knowing that there’s someone who’s looking out for us,” Simeon continued. “And by us, I mean Black people, queer people, Black students, Black workers [and] mothers, which is very important.”
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