“President” Kamala Harris: Reflecting Our Urban Christian Values

“why Kamala Harris is the leader to take the reins from Joe Biden right now”

Welcome to a fresh discussion on political leadership and the profound potential it holds for our urban Christian communities. Today, we’re exploring why Vice President Kamala Harris is the leader to take the reins from President Joe Biden right now, and why her potential incumbency in November could be a transformative moment for communities centered around faith and progress.

1. Leadership that Reflects Our Values

Kamala Harris’s journey in politics is a testament to the strength and resilience that resonate deeply with the urban Christian ethos. Like the digital community at PastorAYUNation.Org™, Harris embodies the spirit of service and integrity. Her track record of advocating for justice and equality aligns with the teachings of compassion and righteousness that are central to our faith. Supporting her leadership means rallying behind someone who not only understands our struggles but is also prepared to act on them, mirroring the mission of Pastor AYU to serve those who are often overlooked.

2. A Unifying Force for the Community

Unity is at the heart of any thriving community, and it is also a cornerstone of Kamala Harris’s political agenda. Her focus on bringing diverse voices to the table echoes PastorAYUNation.Org™’s goal of creating a cohesive environment for families, especially those of incarcerated individuals. By championing policies that address systemic issues affecting urban areas—from housing inequities to criminal justice reform—Harris could drive the kind of change that strengthens community bonds and supports holistic growth, much like the supportive network fostered by PastorAYUNation.Org™.

3. Advocacy for the Vulnerable

Kamala Harris’s career has been marked by a commitment to defending the vulnerable—a principle that aligns closely with the Christian call to protect and uplift the least among us. Her initiatives, particularly in reforming the criminal justice system, resonate with communities like those engaged with nonprofits who look to restore hope and provide support to the families of the incarcerated. Her presidency could amplify these efforts, bringing more resources and attention to the challenges faced by these families, ensuring they have a voice and an advocate in the highest office.

4. Faith in Action: Leadership as Service

Finally, the concept of leadership as a form of service is deeply ingrained in both Kamala Harris’s approach to governance and the ethos of our online church. Harris’s willingness to tackle tough issues and make bold decisions is indicative of a leader who is not only in office to lead but to serve. This reflects the pastoral mission of serving one’s community and empowering them through faith and action. Her potential presidency could be a powerful example for our congregations, inspiring them to see governance as another form of ministry where faith and action intersect to create a more just and compassionate world.

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Kamala Harris as president is more than a political shift; it’s an opportunity for the urban Christian communities to see their values and hopes reflected in the leadership of our nation. By supporting her, we advocate not just for a candidate, but for a future where our faith and our needs help shape the nation’s path forward. Join in this meaningful dialogue and consider the impact of leadership that truly understands and represents us at PastorAYUNation.Org™. We have so much more to say on this discussion.

Kamala Harris has had a distinguished and groundbreaking career in public service, marked by a series of “firsts” in many of the positions she has held. Here’s a detailed analysis of her career trajectory, starting from her college years:

College and Early Career

 

• • Howard University: Kamala Harris attended Howard University, or “The Real HU” (Pastor AYU is also a Proud HU alum), a prestigious historically Black university in Washington D.C., where she majored in political science and economics. At Howard, Harris was active in the debate team and interned as a mailroom clerk for California Senator Alan Cranston, laying the groundwork for her interest in politics and public service. Pastor AYU was a member of the Law Journal at the School of law and held the position of Graduate Student Body President during his tenure at the school of law.

• • University of California, Hastings College of the Law: After graduating from Howard, Harris attended law school at UC Hastings in San Francisco, where she earned her Juris Doctor. During this time, she was elected as the president of the Black Law Students Association. Pastor AYU attended HU’s School of Law, affectionately known as the HUSL.

Professional Career

 

• • Alameda County District Attorney’s Office: Harris started her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases. Her focus was on vulnerable victims, which became a hallmark of her prosecutorial style. She literally prosecuted the worst of the worst cases.

• • San Francisco District Attorney’s Office: Harris’s work in Alameda led to her recruitment to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she headed the Career Criminal Division, managing five attorneys and a large caseload, and gaining a reputation for toughness.

Elected Positions

 

• • District Attorney of San Francisco (2004-2011): Harris was elected as the first Black woman to serve as San Francisco’s District Attorney. Her tenure was noted for her progressive approach to crime, including a refusal to seek the death penalty in homicide cases, and the initiation of a reentry program called “Back on Track” that aimed to reduce recidivism rates among low-level drug offenders by offering them training and employment. PastorAYUNation.Org™ is all about reentry programs!

• • California Attorney General (2011-2017): Harris was the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to hold the office of Attorney General in California. Her term was marked by a focus on combating gang violence, advocating for LGBTQ rights, and defending the Affordable Care Act. She also gained national attention for her hard stance against the banking industry in the wake of the foreclosure crisis, securing a $20 billion settlement for California homeowners.

• • U.S. Senator from California (2017-2021): Harris served as a U.S. Senator from California where she was known for her rigorous questioning in Senate hearings, particularly during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. In the Senate, she focused on issues including immigration, criminal justice reform, and the rights of women and children.

Vice Presidency

 

• Vice President of the United States (2021-Present): Kamala Harris made history by being elected as the first female Vice President, and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African American and first Asian American vice president. In her role, Harris has tackled a wide range of issues, including migration challenges at the U.S. southern border, voting rights, and broadband internet expansion. She has faced criticism and scrutiny typical of the high visibility and the pioneering nature of her role, with mixed reviews on her handling of particularly thorny issues like immigration.

 

Throughout her career, Kamala Harris has been characterized by her barrier-breaking trajectory and her focus on justice, equality, and the protection of vulnerable communities. As Vice President, Kamala Harris is an integral part of the Biden administration and, by extension, has been involved in shaping and executing many of its policies and initiatives. In a potential general election campaign, Harris can legitimately claim the administration’s accomplishments as her own by emphasizing her role in the following ways:

 

1. 1. Partnership in Governance: As Vice President, Harris is the second-highest-ranking official in the administration, actively participating in policy discussions, decisions, and implementations. She can discuss how her contributions and insights in the administration have been instrumental in shaping policies.

1. 1. Specific Assignments: Throughout her tenure, President Biden has tasked Harris with several high-profile assignments, such as addressing the root causes of migration from Central America, expanding access to broadband, and promoting voting rights. Harris can highlight her leadership and the outcomes of these initiatives to demonstrate her capability and dedication.

1. 1. Public Representation: Harris often represents the administration both domestically and internationally. Her role in public engagements and state functions, and how she articulates and defends administration policies, can be used to underscore her integral role in the administration’s successes.

1. 1. Advocacy and Influence: Harris can point to her advocacy within the administration for various policy positions and her influence on the administration’s priorities, particularly in areas like criminal justice reform, healthcare, and economic policy, where she has a strong background.

1. 1. Presiding Over the Senate: One of the Vice President’s formal roles is presiding over the Senate. Harris can claim achievements related to legislation where she cast tie-breaking votes or facilitated discussions, demonstrating her active participation in legislative processes.

By focusing on these aspects, Harris can effectively argue that she has not only supported but also shaped and driven many of the administration’s successes, making a strong case for her own candidacy in a general election campaign against a former opponent like Donald Trump.