August 27, 2024 • 4 mins
**Oakland Residents Withhold Support for Kamala Harris, Citing Disconnection and Past Policies**
*August 27, 2024*
Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States and a native of Oakland, California, has often highlighted her ties to the Bay Area as a key part of her identity. However, despite her roots in the city, Harris has faced a surprising lack of support from many Oakland residents, who argue that she did little for their community during her time as a prosecutor in San Francisco.
### **Oakland's Discontent**
As Harris ascended the political ranks from San Francisco District Attorney to California Attorney General, and eventually to the Vice Presidency, many in her hometown of Oakland remained skeptical of her track record. "She might be from here, but she didn’t do anything for Oakland," said Tanya Simmons, a long-time resident and community activist. "When she was in a position to make a difference, she focused on San Francisco and locking people up, not helping the people of Oakland."
This sentiment is shared by others who feel that Harris, while building her political career in nearby San Francisco, neglected the issues facing Oakland. For years, the city has grappled with challenges such as high crime rates, economic disparity, and systemic inequities. Residents argue that during her tenure as District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011, Harris prioritized policies that were perceived as punitive, rather than addressing the root causes of crime and social issues that also affected Oakland.
### **Tough-on-Crime Approach**
Harris’s tenure as San Francisco District Attorney is marked by her tough-on-crime stance, including a controversial truancy initiative aimed at reducing school absences by prosecuting parents. Critics say this approach disproportionately affected communities of color and failed to address underlying issues like poverty and lack of resources.
"She was all about law and order, but what did that do for us in Oakland? It just meant more Black and Brown people getting locked up," said Malik Johnson, a local business owner. "We needed someone to advocate for us, to help us build our community, not just someone looking to pad their resume."
### **A Disconnect with Oakland**
Beyond her policies, many residents feel a broader sense of disconnect between Harris and the city of Oakland. Despite her upbringing in the city, some argue that her political career has been more closely associated with San Francisco and the state capital of Sacramento, where she served as Attorney General. As a result, many in Oakland feel overlooked by Harris, particularly in light of the city’s ongoing struggles with housing, policing, and economic inequality.
"Kamala Harris has done a lot on the national stage, and that’s great, but we needed her here," said Latasha Green, an Oakland resident and mother of three. "She’s our hometown girl, but it feels like she forgot about us."
### **Looking Ahead**
As Harris continues her political career, the lack of support from her hometown remains a point of contention. For many in Oakland, her past record as a prosecutor overshadows her accomplishments, and her connection to the city feels more symbolic than substantive.
While some acknowledge that Harris has made efforts to address issues of racial and social justice on a national level, they argue that these efforts came too late to change their perception of her role in Oakland’s history.
As the Vice President seeks to expand her influence and legacy, reconciling with the community that shaped her early years might prove to be a critical challenge. For now, however, many in Oakland remain unconvinced, holding onto the belief that when it came to their city, Kamala Harris simply wasn’t there.
*August 27, 2024*
Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States and a native of Oakland, California, has often highlighted her ties to the Bay Area as a key part of her identity. However, despite her roots in the city, Harris has faced a surprising lack of support from many Oakland residents, who argue that she did little for their community during her time as a prosecutor in San Francisco.
### **Oakland's Discontent**
As Harris ascended the political ranks from San Francisco District Attorney to California Attorney General, and eventually to the Vice Presidency, many in her hometown of Oakland remained skeptical of her track record. "She might be from here, but she didn’t do anything for Oakland," said Tanya Simmons, a long-time resident and community activist. "When she was in a position to make a difference, she focused on San Francisco and locking people up, not helping the people of Oakland."
This sentiment is shared by others who feel that Harris, while building her political career in nearby San Francisco, neglected the issues facing Oakland. For years, the city has grappled with challenges such as high crime rates, economic disparity, and systemic inequities. Residents argue that during her tenure as District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011, Harris prioritized policies that were perceived as punitive, rather than addressing the root causes of crime and social issues that also affected Oakland.
### **Tough-on-Crime Approach**
Harris’s tenure as San Francisco District Attorney is marked by her tough-on-crime stance, including a controversial truancy initiative aimed at reducing school absences by prosecuting parents. Critics say this approach disproportionately affected communities of color and failed to address underlying issues like poverty and lack of resources.
"She was all about law and order, but what did that do for us in Oakland? It just meant more Black and Brown people getting locked up," said Malik Johnson, a local business owner. "We needed someone to advocate for us, to help us build our community, not just someone looking to pad their resume."
### **A Disconnect with Oakland**
Beyond her policies, many residents feel a broader sense of disconnect between Harris and the city of Oakland. Despite her upbringing in the city, some argue that her political career has been more closely associated with San Francisco and the state capital of Sacramento, where she served as Attorney General. As a result, many in Oakland feel overlooked by Harris, particularly in light of the city’s ongoing struggles with housing, policing, and economic inequality.
"Kamala Harris has done a lot on the national stage, and that’s great, but we needed her here," said Latasha Green, an Oakland resident and mother of three. "She’s our hometown girl, but it feels like she forgot about us."
### **Looking Ahead**
As Harris continues her political career, the lack of support from her hometown remains a point of contention. For many in Oakland, her past record as a prosecutor overshadows her accomplishments, and her connection to the city feels more symbolic than substantive.
While some acknowledge that Harris has made efforts to address issues of racial and social justice on a national level, they argue that these efforts came too late to change their perception of her role in Oakland’s history.
As the Vice President seeks to expand her influence and legacy, reconciling with the community that shaped her early years might prove to be a critical challenge. For now, however, many in Oakland remain unconvinced, holding onto the belief that when it came to their city, Kamala Harris simply wasn’t there.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Kamala Harris, a name synonymous with ambition, breaking barriers and Oakland, California.
This vibrant city, known for its social activism and diverse community,
is intrinsically linked to Harris's story. It's where she was born, raised,
and first stepped into the world of law and politics.
(00:24):
But the relationship between Harris and her hometown is far
from simple. It's a complex tapestry woven with pride, disappointment,
and a lingering sense of disconnect. Many Oakland residents, especially
those who watched her rise from local prosecutor to District
Attorney of San Francisco, beam with pride. They see her
success as their own. Here is a woman who shattered
(00:47):
glass ceilings becoming the first female, black and Asian American
Vice president of the United States. But beneath the surface
of this shared history lies a current of unease, a
sense that Harris, despite her achievements, remains distant from the
community that nurtured her. To understand this disconnect, we need
(01:09):
to rewind before the national stage, before the vice presidency,
Kamala Harris was a prosecutor, and it's her record during
those years, particularly her time at San Francisco's district attorney
that has drawn criticism and skepticism from some corners of Oakland.
Harris ran on a tough on crime platform, a stance
(01:31):
not uncommon in the political climate of the time. She
advocated for harsher penalties for drug offenses and gang related crimes.
While these policies resonated with some, they also disproportionately impacted
minority communities, communities that make up the very fabric of Oakland.
This period saw a rise in mass incarceration, with black
(01:53):
and brown people bearing the brunt of these policies, and
for some Oakland residents, the wound of this era are
still fresh. They see Harris's role in upholding these policies
as a betrayal of the progressive values often associated with Oakland.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
The ripple effects of Harris's tough on crime approach were
felt keenly in Oakland. The city, already grappling with issues
like poverty, inequality, and gang violence, saw its prison population swell.
Families were torn apart. Young people, often from marginalized backgrounds,
found themselves trapped in the criminal justice system, their futures uncertain.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
While Harris has since acknowledged the flaws in the criminal
justice system and called for reform. These admissions have done
little to soothe the anger and pain felt by some
Oakland residents. They argue that her policies contributed to the
very problem she now seeks to address.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
The debate over Harris's record as a prosecutor highlights a
broad attention within the criminal justice reform movement the question
of accountability. Can someone who benefited from a system that
disproportionately punished communities of color be trusted to dismantle it?
It's a question that continues to haunt Harris's relationship with Oakland.
(03:14):
Despite the criticism, there's no denying the significance of Kamala
Harris's achievements.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
For many in Oakland, especially young black and brown girls,
seeing someone who looks like them ascend to the second
highest office in the land is a source of immense
pride and inspiration.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
Her story is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance,
and breaking down barriers. She embodies the American dream, albeit
one achieved against the backdrop of systemic racism and sexism.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Yet this sense of pride is often tempered by a
lingering feeling of disconnect.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
Some Oakland residents argue that Harris, despite her roots in
the city, seems detached from the everyday realities faced by
its residents.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
They point to her silence on issues like gentrification, police brutality,
and the lack of affordable housing, issues that plague Oakland
to this day.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
The story of Kamala Harrison Oakland is a microcosm of
the challenges facing America today.
Speaker 6 (04:13):
It's a story about race, class, and the struggle for
equity in a nation grappling with its past. It's about
the complexities of identity and the weight of expectations placed
upon those who dare to break barriers.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Parish faces the daunting tart of reconciling her part with
her present, of bridging the gap between her national aspirations
and the local realities of the community that shaped her.
Speaker 6 (04:38):
Whether she can successfully navigate this challenge remains to be seen,
but one thing is certain. The relationship between Kamala Harrison
Oakland will continue to be a source of both pride
and contention, a reminder of the work that still needs
to be done to create a more just and equitable society.
Kamala Harris, a name synonymous with ambition, breaking barriers and Oakland, California.
This vibrant city, known for its social activism and diverse community,
is intrinsically linked to Harris's story. It's where she was born, raised,
and first stepped into the world of law and politics.
(00:24):
But the relationship between Harris and her hometown is far
from simple. It's a complex tapestry woven with pride, disappointment,
and a lingering sense of disconnect. Many Oakland residents, especially
those who watched her rise from local prosecutor to District
Attorney of San Francisco, beam with pride. They see her
success as their own. Here is a woman who shattered
(00:47):
glass ceilings becoming the first female, black and Asian American
Vice president of the United States. But beneath the surface
of this shared history lies a current of unease, a
sense that Harris, despite her achievements, remains distant from the
community that nurtured her. To understand this disconnect, we need
(01:09):
to rewind before the national stage, before the vice presidency,
Kamala Harris was a prosecutor, and it's her record during
those years, particularly her time at San Francisco's district attorney
that has drawn criticism and skepticism from some corners of Oakland.
Harris ran on a tough on crime platform, a stance
(01:31):
not uncommon in the political climate of the time. She
advocated for harsher penalties for drug offenses and gang related crimes.
While these policies resonated with some, they also disproportionately impacted
minority communities, communities that make up the very fabric of Oakland.
This period saw a rise in mass incarceration, with black
(01:53):
and brown people bearing the brunt of these policies, and
for some Oakland residents, the wound of this era are
still fresh. They see Harris's role in upholding these policies
as a betrayal of the progressive values often associated with Oakland.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
The ripple effects of Harris's tough on crime approach were
felt keenly in Oakland. The city, already grappling with issues
like poverty, inequality, and gang violence, saw its prison population swell.
Families were torn apart. Young people, often from marginalized backgrounds,
found themselves trapped in the criminal justice system, their futures uncertain.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
While Harris has since acknowledged the flaws in the criminal
justice system and called for reform. These admissions have done
little to soothe the anger and pain felt by some
Oakland residents. They argue that her policies contributed to the
very problem she now seeks to address.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
The debate over Harris's record as a prosecutor highlights a
broad attention within the criminal justice reform movement the question
of accountability. Can someone who benefited from a system that
disproportionately punished communities of color be trusted to dismantle it?
It's a question that continues to haunt Harris's relationship with Oakland.
(03:14):
Despite the criticism, there's no denying the significance of Kamala
Harris's achievements.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
For many in Oakland, especially young black and brown girls,
seeing someone who looks like them ascend to the second
highest office in the land is a source of immense
pride and inspiration.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
Her story is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance,
and breaking down barriers. She embodies the American dream, albeit
one achieved against the backdrop of systemic racism and sexism.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Yet this sense of pride is often tempered by a
lingering feeling of disconnect.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
Some Oakland residents argue that Harris, despite her roots in
the city, seems detached from the everyday realities faced by
its residents.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
They point to her silence on issues like gentrification, police brutality,
and the lack of affordable housing, issues that plague Oakland
to this day.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
The story of Kamala Harrison Oakland is a microcosm of
the challenges facing America today.
Speaker 6 (04:13):
It's a story about race, class, and the struggle for
equity in a nation grappling with its past. It's about
the complexities of identity and the weight of expectations placed
upon those who dare to break barriers.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Parish faces the daunting tart of reconciling her part with
her present, of bridging the gap between her national aspirations
and the local realities of the community that shaped her.
Speaker 6 (04:38):
Whether she can successfully navigate this challenge remains to be seen,
but one thing is certain. The relationship between Kamala Harrison
Oakland will continue to be a source of both pride
and contention, a reminder of the work that still needs
to be done to create a more just and equitable society.
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