Vice President Kamala Harris engaged with members of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) on Tuesday, marking her first appearance with the group since former President Donald Trump questioned her ethnicity and clashed with a journalist at the organization’s national convention in Chicago six weeks prior.
Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, had declined an invitation to the August convention due to a scheduling conflict with the funeral of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas).
During the 45-minute session, Harris fielded questions from Tonya Mosley, co-host of NPR’s “Fresh Air” and host of the “Truth Be Told” podcast; Gerren Keith Gaynor, White House correspondent and managing editor of politics at TheGrio; and Eugene Daniels, Playbook co-author and White House correspondent for Politico.
Addressing Trump’s unfounded claims about migrants in Springfield, Ohio, Harris condemned his remarks as “hateful rhetoric” and “tropes” designed to divide the country.
“This is exhausting, and it’s harmful,” she stated. “And it’s hateful, and grounded in some age-old stuff that we should not have the tolerance for.”
Harris pointed out that Trump’s comments led to bomb threats in Springfield, including one that resulted in the evacuation of an elementary school on photo day.
“My heart breaks for this community,” she said, adding, “It’s got to stop.”
Harris also took a firm stance on Trump’s history of racist remarks, providing examples including his family’s discrimination against Black renters, his attacks on former President Barack Obama, and his comments about the Central Park Five.
Discussing her own campaign, Harris was questioned about polling data indicating some young Black men are considering voting for Trump.
“It’s very important to not operate from the assumption that Black men are in anybody’s pocket,” Harris responded. “Black men are like any other voting group — you’ve got to earn their vote. So, I’m working to earn the vote, not assuming that I’m going to have it because I’m Black.”
Harris also highlighted the administration’s achievements, including the creation of 16 million new jobs, the lowest Black unemployment rate in history, and the doubling of Black businesses.
She made note of the cap on insulin prices, a measure intended to assist Black Americans who have diabetes disproportionately.
On gun control, Harris reiterated her stance on enacting an assault weapons ban, stating, “We are not going to take anybody’s guns away from them, but we do need an assault weapons ban.”
When asked about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, Harris called for a cease-fire and a hostage deal but refrained from offering specific policy changes.
“We need to get this deal done. That is my position and that is my policy,” she said. She emphasized her support for Israel’s right to defend itself but avoided discussing the specifics of sending weapons to the country.
On the topic of reparations, Harris stressed the need for a conversation about the generational impact of slavery, redlining, and Jim Crow laws.
“We need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing these historical injustices.
Social media users praised Harris’ interaction with NABJ, contrasting it with Trump’s approach.
One user noted, “Unlike Trump, VP Harris is answering questions with her policy proposals. She isn’t arguing and fighting.”
Another wrote, “VP Kamala Harris speaking with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Philly. Complete sentences. No shouted insults. Just normal, intelligent answers to questions.”
Addressing the significance of joy in her campaign and its potential use as a weapon against her by Republicans, Harris remarked: “There are sometimes when your adversaries will try and turn your strength into a weakness. Don’t you let them. I find joy in the American people. I find joy and optimism in our future and our ability to invest in it.”
