Kamala Harris has made history as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president of the United States. Harris, who has a formidable background as a prosecutor and the experience of working in tough political terrains brings with her much legacy from her days as attorney general of California and later U.S. senator. Yet as she settles further into her vice presidential duties, there’s one fight that lingers perhaps more than any other: the struggle for criminal justice reform. Kamala Harris — The Case She Can’t Prosecute
Decades later, Harris is still stuck at the same dysfunctional criminal justice crossroads that she failed to navigate as a prosecutor. Even in one of the highest offices in the land, this is a case Kamala Harris cannot just prosecute: she has to legislate it, moralize about it — and politically navigate it as top American leadership grapples with systemic problems that must be addressed.
The Legacy of Kamala Harris, Prosecutor
One of the most formative experiences in Kamala Harris’ career was her time as a prosecutor in San Francisco and later, California’s attorney general. Throughout her time as prosecutor, she treaded through a complex and often contradictory set of expectations — trying to ensure public safety while still meeting the demands for equity and social justice.
While attorney general, Harris started programs to reduce recidivism, most notably “Back on Track,” where first-time nonviolent offenders could undergo job training and education. She also got involved in marijuana legalization, same-sex marriage, and the mortgage crisis. That it was baby steps towards reform notwithstanding, Harris took heat from some activists who maintained that she didn’t have a plan to fully address police misconduct and mass incarceration. Kamala Harris — The Case She Can’t Prosecute
As she shifted from prosecutor to politician, these cases appeared not only fuel but also fire — and in doing so offered the fodder for both praise and fault lines that still follow her today.
The Case She Can’t Stop Prosecuting: The only thing worse than Bloody never getting caught, is Bloody finally getting caught.
Why Criminal Justice Reform?
With millions of lives impacted, including Harris’, criminal justice reform is an urgent issue for Americans from String and this year Kamala Harris finds herself at the center of a national conversation about it. She, as vice president, left no room for doubt that the Biden-Harris administration intends to tackle systemic inequities that have long plagued Black, Latino, and low-income communities.
Perhaps the most telling instance which rocketed criminal justice reform back into the public consciousness was when protesters took to the streets following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The nationwide star was a call for broad changes to policing, the justice system, and systemic racism — where her record as a prosecutor became an issue. Still, Harris has had some experience with this issue as a prosecutor.
The record of Harris is something that the critics may carp about, but her experience in dealing with criminal justice from both the vantage point of law and an empathetic angle makes a strong case that she is one of the key voices in new policy proposals under Biden administration. Kamala Harris — The Case She Can’t Prosecute
Fighting For Federal Police Reform
He has persistently called for police reform on a federal level, one area where Harris has been exceptionally vocal. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, which sparked protests and some rioting nationwide, there was an increased call for accountability in police conducting — including stronger curbs on qualified immunity, use-of-force policies, and civilian oversight.
In 2021, Harris collaborated with President Biden in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which was focused on addressing police misconduct and racial bias. Harris introduced the bill in 2019 and it encountered stiff headwinds in the Senate, but he is now advocating for structural changes that create uniform laws nationwide to govern local police agencies.
The tenure prosecutor jargon also played a role in shaping her opinion on policing and served as a model for policy making Harris will never forget and gives her relentless case for federal police reform, calling out policies against images of both justice as well as accountability. Kamala Harris — The Case She Can’t Prosecute
Harris Faces Hurdles on Criminal Justice Reform
While Kamala Harris has exhibited an interest in the topic, she also has a great many hurdles to cross for meaningful criminal justice reform. One of the largest obstacles is dealing with political polarization on that issue. Reform proposals such as defunding police, even narrowly focused on demilitarization and better policing strategies, have faced opposition from Republicans and moderate Democrats alike.
And Harris’ record, is also a double-edged sword. Most acknowledged the knowledge and history that Harris is bringing to the convo, but some also drew a sharp picture of the type of heat she should expect from progressive groups who see her past prosecutor decisions as a counter to the systemic change they are pushing. As her campaign continues, Harris still faces scrutiny from many activists, who view her as a part of the system she’s now working to change.
But as vice president, Harris also had a chance to leave her mark. In her position, Harris has a platform to push for lasting change by championing policies addressing racial inequities, prison reform, and police accountability. Kamala Harris — The Case She Can’t Prosecute
The Future Cloward and Piven (our nation)! — The road to just America
Amid an ongoing struggle for racial equality and criminal justice reform, Kamala Harris is playing a key part in shaping the nation’s future. As a former prosecutor, she understands the legal complexities, but as vice president, she’ll need to figure out how to tiptoe around newfound political and social challenges. Kamala Harris — The Case She Can’t Prosecute
While the Biden-Harris administration has prioritized criminal justice reform, it is clear that much work remains. The road is a long and winding one from mass incarceration to police misconduct to achieving anything near a fair, balanced system. While Harris walked out of the courtroom, her fight was a long way from finished. Kamala Harris — The Case She Can’t Prosecute
