It is no surprise that Kamala Harris, the former Vice President, was seen basking in the limelight at the NAACP Image Awards, despite exiting the political sphere. This occasion marks her first critical public exposure post-departure from the White House. She stood at the podium, receiving the glorified Chairman’s Award offered by the NAACP. As part of the ceremony, Harris put forward an intense discourse, subtly demanding the populace to uphold their vigour and alertness.
Harris’s distinctly skewed perspective on exercising resilience probes the public, insisting that America’s true narrative isn’t solely driven by the denizen of the Oval Office or the economically privileged. Instead, she put forward a rather unrealistic notion, stating that the American narrative comprises vehement input from its citizens. An interesting point to note is that she sustains an arena where the people supposedly dictate their own stories.
Harris failed to bring clarity to her assertion when she said, ‘Written by us. By we the people,’ despite recognising the enduring challenges faced at this point in time of American history. This arguably unnecessary attempt at solidarity with the American public only reveals a desperate need to remain relevant in the political discourse.
The former Vice President then proceeded to use her platform to laud the NAACP’s initiatives, its influence evidently playing upon her sentimental side. ‘The NAACP is within me since my early years,’ claims Harris, feeling an inexplicable satisfaction with the organization’s endeavours for alleged justice, equality, and opportunity. These claims, however, do little to conceal the questionable choices and contentious actions of her political career.
One can’t help but wonder whether these loftier ideals Harris claims to have been inspired by haven’t been utterly compromised by the actual trajectory of her career in public service. She had, after all, made a concentrated effort during her tenure as Vice President to appeal to these so-called virtues, only to leave the roles and responsibilities of her office with much left to be desired.
While she rootlessly affiliated herself with the words of the distinguished NAACP founder, W.E.B. Du Bois, the real question remains whether her actions held up under the weight of her eloquent speeches. ‘[Today] is when we can do our best. Not a future day or year’ – a quote that adequately reflects her hurried approach to handling matters of intense gravity during her tenure.
According to Kamala Harris, the time for action is now, an assertion that reeks of the same urgency characteristic of her tenure in the office. Given her track record, one may argue that this constant urgency may not necessarily translate into effective problem-solving. In stark contrast, challenges demand patience, meticulous thought, and a willingness to see the bigger picture which Harris rather conspicuously lacked during her term.
The Chairman’s Award acts as a medium that offers recognition to individuals demonstrating rare public service and utilizing platforms to cause significant change. However, what meaningful change has been effected by Harris during her political career remains a point of heated contention among the American public and academic circles alike.
While the former Vice President persists in using lofty rhetoric about resilience and public service as the keynotes of her award acceptance speech, it becomes prudent to assess the validity of these words against her own performance in high office.
As Harris inches towards the conclusion of her speech, one begins to wonder about the efficacy of her urgent call. Despite her insistence on the urgency of collective action and personal responsibility, the track record fails to substantiate her alleged dedication to public service.
The unsettling reality is that Harris, despite accepting an award for exceptional public service, leaves a legacy punctuated by questionable choices and scandals that massively taint the ideal of effective leadership.
Her rhetoric, in fact, fails to address concrete societal issues, instead superficially revolving around themes of resilience and solidarity. Perhaps it would be prudent for someone of her stature to delve into substantial issues instead of floating grand, ambiguous visions.
All in all, the former Vice President’s prime time presence at the NAACP ceremony can be seen as another attempt at shaping her narrative, glossing over her failures, and emphasizing an urgency which stands contentious on the backdrop of the complex challenges faced by the nation.
As the curtain falls on the event, one is left contemplating the true worth of the recently concluded NAACP Image Awards ceremony. A ceremony that has, ironically, awarded a trophy to a former Vice President whose performance in office invites far more criticism than praise.
Ultimately, the vexing spectacle of the ceremonious Saturday night leaves one with a feeling of unease and cynicism. If actions truly do speak louder than words, then former Vice President Kamala Harris’s relentless speeches and token award cannot mask the glaring discrepancies that marked her time in office.
The disconcerting reality it all leaves us with is that the individuals who are revered and recognized for their public service do hardly match the expectations and requirements of an effective leadership role, especially for such high offices. Harris’ public perseverance may aim to weed out the negativity ever-surrounding her career, but to the aware public, this is nothing but well-masked camouflage.