Reimagining a Kamala Harris Presidency: A Black Woman’s Perspective on Transformative Policies
Imagine this: a Black woman sitting at the helm of the most powerful nation in the world. Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, ran on a platform that not only acknowledged the pain and struggles of marginalized communities but also dared to dream of a better future—one rooted in justice, equity, and opportunity. Her proposed agenda was ambitious and unapologetic, designed to tackle America’s systemic inequities head-on. Though her path to the presidency hasn’t yet come to fruition, reflecting on her policy proposals allows us to envision what her leadership might have meant for this nation—especially for Black women, Black families, and communities that have historically been left out of America’s promise.
Let’s take a journey through the vision of a Kamala Harris presidency and unpack how her transformative policies could have reshaped our lives.
1. Healthcare for All: Healing the Nation’s Inequities
Kamala Harris understood that healthcare isn’t a privilege; it’s a right. Her plan aimed to expand on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a pathway toward Medicare for All. Harris’s approach wasn’t about quick fixes—it was about creating a transitional plan that respected people’s need for choice while working to ensure no one was left behind. She prioritized affordable healthcare, maternal health, mental health services, and lowering prescription drug costs. For Black communities—especially Black women—this would have been revolutionary.
Why it Matters: Black women face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates and inequities in access to quality care. A Harris-led healthcare reform could have saved lives by expanding access to affordable care and addressing the racial disparities that permeate the system. This would mean fewer Black women dying in childbirth, more mental health resources for our communities, and increased life expectancy for Black families.
📚 Suggested Read: Reproductive Justice: An Introduction by Loretta Ross and Rickie Solinger for a deeper dive into the intersection of healthcare, race, and justice.
2. Economic Equity: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap
Harris proposed bold plans to empower Black communities economically, including billions in investments for Black-owned businesses, expanded access to capital, and tax credits for first-time homebuyers in historically redlined neighborhoods. For generations, systemic racism has robbed Black families of wealth-building opportunities. Kamala’s policies sought to flip that script.
Why it Matters: Picture a world where Black entrepreneurs can easily access business loans, or where Black families can finally build generational wealth through homeownership. Her plan wasn’t just about economics; it was about repairing the damage inflicted by centuries of discriminatory policies that held Black communities back.
📚 Suggested Read: The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap by Mehrsa Baradaran to explore the history and future of Black economic empowerment.
3. Criminal Justice Reform: Dismantling the System of Oppression
As a former prosecutor, Kamala Harris faced criticism for her record—but her proposed reforms told a different story. She planned to end mass incarceration, eliminate cash bail, decriminalize marijuana, and invest in rehabilitation programs. Harris’s vision was clear: transform a system built to oppress Black and Brown people into one focused on restoration and equity.
Why it Matters: For Black families, this could mean fewer loved ones trapped in a cycle of incarceration for minor offenses. It could mean opportunities for education and job training rather than punishment. Her policies directly addressed the systemic racism embedded in the justice system and gave hope to those fighting for change.
📚 Suggested Read: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander, a seminal work on race and the justice system.
4. Climate Justice: Fighting Environmental Racism
Harris’s climate policies acknowledged a harsh reality: Black and Brown communities bear the brunt of pollution and climate change. Her plan focused on environmental justice, including investments in clean energy, green jobs, and reducing emissions in high-pollution areas—areas often home to communities of color.
Why it Matters: For Black families living in neighborhoods with toxic air, contaminated water, and few green spaces, this plan could have been life-changing. This wasn’t just a climate plan—it was a justice plan.
📚 Suggested Read: A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind by Harriet A. Washington for insight into how environmental racism harms Black communities.
5. Education Reform: Investing in Our Children
Kamala Harris knew that education is the key to opportunity. She proposed increasing teacher pay, expanding access to pre-kindergarten, and tackling disparities in school funding. She also prioritized student debt relief, particularly for low- and middle-income families.
Why it Matters: For Black students, who are often saddled with disproportionately high student debt, this could mean a future where education doesn’t come at the cost of financial freedom. Harris’s plan envisioned a world where Black children had access to quality education from the start.
📚 Suggested Read: Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris to understand the unique challenges Black students face in education systems.
6. Voting Rights: Protecting Our Power
Black women have long been the backbone of the Democracy, and Kamala Harris knew that protecting voting rights was non-negotiable. Her policies included automatic voter registration, making Election Day a national holiday, and restoring the Voting Rights Act to combat voter suppression.
Why it Matters: Harris’s plan would ensure that the voices of Black communities are heard and respected in every election. By removing barriers to voting, she would empower more people to shape the policies that affect their lives directly.
📚 Suggested Read: One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy by Carol Anderson to explore the fight for voting rights.
7. Women’s Rights: Defending Black Women’s Autonomy
As a Black woman, Harris championed policies that protected women’s reproductive rights, fought for equal pay, and addressed gender-based violence. Her plans acknowledged that Black women often face compounded discrimination and worked to address those inequities head-on.
Why it Matters: Harris’s presidency could have been a huge moment for Black women, centering their voices in conversations about healthcare, workplace equity, and safety. Black women would have had a fierce advocate in the White House, working to dismantle both sexism and racism in one fell swoop.
📚 Suggested Read: Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks for a detailed look at the intersection of race and gender.
8. Immigration Reform: A System Rooted in Humanity
Harris’s immigration policies focused on creating pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, ending inhumane practices at the border, and reimagining an immigration system grounded in dignity.
Why it Matters: For Black immigrants, particularly those from African and Caribbean nations, her policies would mean protection, opportunity, and inclusion. Harris understood that immigration reform wasn’t just about policy—it was about humanity.
📚 Suggested Read: We Are Not Yet Equal: Understanding Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson for insights into the intersection of race and immigration.
What a Kamala Harris Presidency Could Have Meant
A Kamala Harris presidency would have been a love letter to the marginalized, a rallying cry for the oppressed, and a vision of a future where equity and justice are within reach. For Black women, in particular, it would have been a moment to see ourselves in power—a testament to the fact that we are not only capable of leading but of transforming this nation for the better.
While Harris has not yet ascended to the presidency, her vision remains a blueprint for the work we must continue.