Kamala Harris: 'Let us have the courage to speak the truth'

SCREEN CAPTURE

California Sen. Kamala Harris spoke at the First Congregational Church's 150th anniversary.

TRUTH BE TOLD, Senator Kamala Harris is not a candidate for national office in 2020, but she sure looks, sounds and acts like one.

Last Sunday, she introduced herself to a constituency whose backing she would need if she ever changed her mind and decided to run for president of the U.S.

Following in the footsteps of other presidential contenders and civil rights leaders, the California senator spoke in Atlanta at the 150th anniversary of the First Congregational Church, which is the second-oldest African/American Congregational church in the country, where she spoke the truth about our country and our values in face of the difficult times we are in.

“Our country is witnessing an assault on our deepest values. An assault on our commitment to equality, to fairness and to justice. So let’s speak truth,” Harris said in her remarks. “Let’s speak the truth that we have been reminded of too often over these past few months. Racism is real in this country. Sexism is real in this country. Homophobia is real in this country. Anti-Semitism is real in this country. Because unless we speak that truth, we will not confront it honestly. Let’s speak the truth that there is a systematic attempt to suppress the right to vote in America.”

Not afraid to speak about controversial current events, she said “Let’s speak the truth that when Americans demand recognition that their lives matter, or kneel to call attention to justice, that that is an expression of free speech, protected by our Constitution, and they should not be threatened or bullied.”

Harris, who is of mixed heritage, black and South Asian, that she comes from a background of law enforcement, a woman, progressive and articulate makes her someone whose name comes up whenever talking about challenging the Republican candidate in 2020.

Throughout her speech she referenced sources in the Bible which drew applause from the admittedly partisan crowd. She obviously did her homework, unlike Donald Trump, who she did not mention by name.

She used the rhythm and cadence of preacher throughout her speech, especially in her conclusion when she defined who is a patriot and what the American flag represents:

"When we fight for the Right to Vote, guaranteed to every citizen under the 15th and 19th Amendments, we are Patriots.

And when we fight for the equality of each and every one of us, an ideal that Americans fought and died for, that is a fight for the 14th Amendment. And that is patriotic.

And my final point is this.

When we sing the Star Spangled Banner, we rightly think about brave men and women from all backgrounds who proudly defend the freedom of those they may never meet and people who will never know their names. 

When we sing the Star Spangled Banner, we also think about those marching in the streets who demand that the ideals of that flag represent them too.

We think when we sing that song about the young immigrant who puts her hand over her heart and pledges allegiance to the only country she’s ever called home.

And we think about women like the women I recently visited at a California state prison. They were making American flags. The kind you see waving over the United States Capitol or down the street at the Georgia state capitol.

And that day when I was looking at those women and talking with them, they were doing everything, by the way, from cutting the fabric to silk screening, and pushing the paint through the stars and the stripes. 

And I thought, yes, certainly they have made mistakes but that’s their flag too.
So let us be clear that when we talk about our patriotism and love of country, it is about understanding our commonality, it is about fighting for who we are and most important, it is about fighting for what we can be.

So, First-Church, at this pivotal moment, I say we cannot throw up our hands. Instead, this is a moment in time to roll up our sleeves.

And as the Reverand and I were talking earlier, I’ll say, I’m a realist but I’m also an optimist. And as we read in scripture earlier, “those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”

 So as we shine a light on the path toward peace, let us do so as proud patriots.

Let us have the courage to speak truth.

And together, armed with our commonality and armed with our faith, let us be strong in our fight for justice.

To read Senator Kamala Harris' complete speech, click here or you can watch and listen to this video:

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