Kamala Harris: Superhero for the People

Part One: She is Fearless in her Protection of Me/Us

This diary is about Kamala Harris, but it is about me, too. It’s about why I support Kamala for president — first and foremost — out of an impressive group of democratic candidates. It’s personal, painful, and probably not all that remarkable in the large scope of things. But it is imperative to me.

I am a white, minimally disabled, married, retired educator and grandmother to a dozen kids. Though I live a fairly privileged life now, my childhood was the stuff of nightmares. I was regularly sexually abused by my minister father for nearly a decade, and often fondled in front of many people, including my mother. In addition, he was a flagrant philanderer, which was devastating to my mom, who often sought my comfort and counsel at night before he came to my room. It was even worse for my younger sister as these behaviors only escalated with time.

I lived my life of guilt and shame in poetry and silence, with no one to turn to. In high school I met a boy who was in foster care and began hanging out at his foster family’s home most of the time. I’m sure that saved my life, though I didn’t tell the woman who eventually became my true “mom” what had been going on at home for another ten years. But I had a safe place to go, and people who valued my achievements. It took decades of therapy and work to come to grips with the abuse and negligence of my childhood. The trauma of having my mother look the other way, defend my father, and ultimately blame her daughters has been as severe as the abuse itself.

Over the years, I’ve struggled to stand up to men who would take advantage of me, but I learned to do it for survival’s sake. I have also struggled to maintain relationships with women, whom I often seem to end up feeling have let me down. Very few of them have been willing to hear about my past, many of them have been down right weird about it. (A huge part of healing from abuse is not denying it.) I get it, it’s not comfortable to talk about. It’s in the past.

But when #Me,Too happened, I realized I was just one of millions. My story was not unique in consequence, only detail. And I and the many, many women, children, and also men, who have been shamed into silence for so long because it was uncomfortable have been made even more vulnerable by our isolation. We needed a hero. A superhero.

Not too long after this, I tuned into the Kavanaugh hearings, which was trauma relived for me, and no doubt, thousands like me. I saw the brave girl quiver. I wept as I watched one man after another bring himself to frothy indignation about the way the poor judge was being treated.

Then came Senator Kamala Harris. I heard something different in her voice when she questioned the “poor judge.” I heard a demand for accountability. I sat up, the hairs on the back of my neck tingled.

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She did not flinch. She stood her ground. She went there. She went after him, head to head. No, she was above his head. I can’t really describe the feeling I had. I knew she was standing up for me, for the child I had been, for the woman I now was, for all the people whose voices had not been heard, would never even be whispered. Kamala spoke with a calm power, with dignity, and the absolute certainty that regardless of the lies and distortions, she was not fooled. She spoke for me.

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Of course, I, like thousands of others, took note of this woman. Time after time, Kamala showed up to do the job that no one else seemed able to do — she asked the hard questions. She didn’t yell or scream. She did not accept excuses. She stood her ground, representing ME.

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The more I heard, the more I knew. This woman would protect me. She would protect my country. She was not afraid. She was fearless in her protection. Not angry — FEARLESS. And that felt new and amazing.

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I am actually older than Kamala, but oh, how I wish she were my mother. How I wish she could be all of our mothers!

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I love the way she turns things around with these “dweebs.” Now I want her to have the power to make it stick! She is a superhero for the people — a voice I have longed to hear all my life.

Part Two: She is Compassionate and Welcoming Person

In addition to her strength, intelligence and passion, I am so impressed and moved by the love and compassion Kamala shows for people. So often someone of her strength and fortitude just does not come through with the kindness and affection she so clearly feels for the human race. I could go on in this vein, but it’s so easy to see in her personality, I will let it speak for itself.

I also deeply appreciate the positive way she responds to and speaks about her fellow candidates — she was first to welcome Bernie Saunders to the race, and has been equally as supportive about her other “rivals.” I want Kamala to win, because I believe she is the best candidate, but even more, I want the craven GOP defeated. If everyone can follow Harris’s example, I think we will be unified and unstoppable. And that is the most important thing of all!

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said she welcomes former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s entry in the crowded field of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. “As far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier,” Harris, who’s also running, told MSNBC’s Peter Alexander on Thursday shortly after O’Rourke kicked off his campaign. O’Rourke, who narrowly lost his long-shot bid for Senate in 2018 against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), said in his announcement video that voters should “show ourselves and those who will succeed us in this great country just who we are and what we can do.” The 2020 field now includes 15 Democrats, and former Vice President Joe Biden is likely to join them. Harris praised her rivals. “I think we have an embarrassment of riches among the Democrats who are running,” Harris said. “We have incredible public servants who are smart, whose voices are important, and I think it’s going to be a robust and a very healthy process, and I’m looking forward to it.” www.huffpost.com/... 03/15/2019)

Yep — she is welcoming! She is positive!

Presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) welcomed former Vice President Joe Biden into the Democratic primary Thursday, calling him a friend and saying he "brings a wealth of knowledge to the race." “As of this morning, my friend Joe Biden is now running for president. And you know what I say to that? The more, the merrier! Joe brings a wealth of knowledge to the race, and I’m excited to debate ideas and policy with him and the many other candidates running for president in the coming months,” Harris said in an email to supporters. (thehill.com/...04/25/19)

Kamala relates to and encourages ALL people to be involved in improving our country:

x Grateful to everyone who took time out of their Sunday to attend our town hall in Waterloo last night. No matter your party affiliation, you are welcome in our campaign. pic.twitter.com/hThtRnP33T Ã¢ÂÂ Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 10, 2019

With a deep bench of excellent players on our team, I like Kamala Harris to lead us for the win.

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FWIW: This diary is a little different than most of our Kamala2020 group’s have been, in that it doesn’t present her most recent tweets, Instagram and FB posts. I know we’ll get some of those in the comments, but also, just yesterday there were two awesome diaries, in addition to Snowmans, posted about her here at DK:

Gabe Ortiz wrote: Here’s how Harris’ plan to use executive authority to open up citizenship for Dreamers would work

and Laura Clawson explains: Kamala Harris picks up endorsement of South Carolina grassroots activist group

She’s got it goin’ on all the time — it’s hard to keep up!

There are about 70 million reasons to support Kamala Harris for President!

Newpioneer has rounded up some highlights of her sponsored legislation here.

snowman3 has rounded up some more legislative highlights here.

Want to know more about her positions and plans? Her policy page is Our America.

Or go straight to an issue: quality, affordable health care for all, economic justice,raising teacher pay, combating the climate crisis, criminal justice reform, action on gun violence, a fair and just immigration system, LGBTQ+ equality, government for the people, debt-free college and student debt, gender equality, American leadership at home and abroad, and fighting for racial justice.

Upcoming Events June 14-15: On Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15, Senator Kamala Harris will return to Nevada to hold campaign events and meet with voters. Harris will speak at the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. 33rd Annual Conference in Las Vegas on Friday along with other events to be announced. June 18: Kamala will hold a Reception in Midtown NYC! Check your email and RSVP. Limited tickets available starting at $100, more details closer to event. June 26-27: The first debates will be held in Miami, Florida, and will be broadcast live on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo. July 30-31: The second debates will be held on July 30th and 31st in Detroit, Michigan, and will be broadcast live on CNN Please remember to visit our community group page Kamala2020 and give us a follow! That way all our group efforts will appear in your stream; this makes it easy for everyone to keep up with our latest posts. As always, any who would like to join our group please leave us a comment and we’ll get your invitation right out to you!

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If you’d like to volunteer to host one of our Kamala 2020 diaries, please leave your comment in the ”Calling all Volunteers”thread.

Even if you can’t commit to a weekly spot due to your busy schedules, guest bloggers are always welcomed!

Next week’s schedule

Please volunteer! Come share your story about why you support Kamala!

Friday, June 14 — rflctammt

Saturday, June 15 — Cecelia S

Sunday, June 16 — Diana in NoVa

Monday, June 17 —

Tuesday, June 18 — Desert Scientist

Wednesday, June 18 —

Thursday, June 19 —

Friday, June 20 —

Saturday, June 21 —

Sunday, June 22 —

Let your voices be heard!

*Please remember this is a Kamala2020 group effort, & not a Daily Kos sponsored activity or endorsement.

While you’re here, don’t forget to visit Kamala’s Official Campaign Website and her Swag Shop for your favorite campaign gear! 😄

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Group Guidelines

The Kamala2020 community group has been created to positively support Senator Kamala Harris, and not to engage in negativity towards other Democrats running in the 2020 primaries.

All should be made to feel welcomed here. What’s not welcomed here is petty bickering over any of our preferred candidates, or personal attacks on fellow Democrats. We’re not responsible for the actions of others who may offend, insult or attempt to sow discord and disunity — that’s on them.

What we are responsible for are our own words and actions — that’s 100% on us.

I’d like to ask all group members, as well as those dropping by who support or are interested in Kamala’s bid for the nomination, that we not respond to negativity from other campaign’s supporters with even more negativity. Let’s do better than our best and respond with respect, humor or try to hold our peace. Recipes and cat pics work, too 😃

Doing no harm costs us nothing... pie-fights will cost us everything.