• Oakland Residents Withhold Support for Kamala Harris, Citing Disconnection and Past Policies

  • Aug 28 2024
  • Length: 5 mins
  • Podcast

Oakland Residents Withhold Support for Kamala Harris, Citing Disconnection and Past Policies

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  • **Oakland Residents Withhold Support for Kamala Harris, Citing Disconnection and Past Policies**

    *August 27, 2024*

    Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States and a native of Oakland, California, has often highlighted her ties to the Bay Area as a key part of her identity. However, despite her roots in the city, Harris has faced a surprising lack of support from many Oakland residents, who argue that she did little for their community during her time as a prosecutor in San Francisco.

    ### **Oakland's Discontent**

    As Harris ascended the political ranks from San Francisco District Attorney to California Attorney General, and eventually to the Vice Presidency, many in her hometown of Oakland remained skeptical of her track record. "She might be from here, but she didn’t do anything for Oakland," said Tanya Simmons, a long-time resident and community activist. "When she was in a position to make a difference, she focused on San Francisco and locking people up, not helping the people of Oakland."

    This sentiment is shared by others who feel that Harris, while building her political career in nearby San Francisco, neglected the issues facing Oakland. For years, the city has grappled with challenges such as high crime rates, economic disparity, and systemic inequities. Residents argue that during her tenure as District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011, Harris prioritized policies that were perceived as punitive, rather than addressing the root causes of crime and social issues that also affected Oakland.

    ### **Tough-on-Crime Approach**

    Harris’s tenure as San Francisco District Attorney is marked by her tough-on-crime stance, including a controversial truancy initiative aimed at reducing school absences by prosecuting parents. Critics say this approach disproportionately affected communities of color and failed to address underlying issues like poverty and lack of resources.

    "She was all about law and order, but what did that do for us in Oakland? It just meant more Black and Brown people getting locked up," said Malik Johnson, a local business owner. "We needed someone to advocate for us, to help us build our community, not just someone looking to pad their resume."

    ### **A Disconnect with Oakland**

    Beyond her policies, many residents feel a broader sense of disconnect between Harris and the city of Oakland. Despite her upbringing in the city, some argue that her political career has been more closely associated with San Francisco and the state capital of Sacramento, where she served as Attorney General. As a result, many in Oakland feel overlooked by Harris, particularly in light of the city’s ongoing struggles with housing, policing, and economic inequality.

    "Kamala Harris has done a lot on the national stage, and that’s great, but we needed her here," said Latasha Green, an Oakland resident and mother of three. "She’s our hometown girl, but it feels like she forgot about us."

    ### **Looking Ahead**

    As Harris continues her political career, the lack of support from her hometown remains a point of contention. For many in Oakland, her past record as a prosecutor overshadows her accomplishments, and her connection to the city feels more symbolic than substantive.

    While some acknowledge that Harris has made efforts to address issues of racial and social justice on a national level, they argue that these efforts came too late to change their perception of her role in Oakland’s history.

    As the Vice President seeks to expand her influence and legacy, reconciling with the community that shaped her early years might prove to be a critical challenge. For now, however, many in Oakland remain unconvinced, holding onto the belief that when it came to their city, Kamala Harris simply wasn’t there.
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