Kamala Harris, Future Queen of the World?

Kamala Harris with one hand placed on the Bible in front of the United States flags

On the Washington Ellipse, the very place where Donald Trump, on a January day, electrified his supporters before the Capitol assault, Kamala Harris steps forward to deliver a solemn appeal. In this symbol-laden location, she warns her fellow citizens: a re-election of her opponent would mean "chaos." A rather grim vision, certainly, but Harris, unflinching, remains an implacable voice. But who is this exceptional woman, this vice president with multiple roots and a unique history?

A Childhood Colored by the World and Values of Social Justice

Born in Oakland, California, Kamala Harris comes into the world in a microcosm of diversity that would be the pride of any sociologist. Her mother, a medical researcher of Indian origin, and her father, a Jamaican economist, raise her in a melting pot of ideas, values of justice, and equality. As a child, she follows her mother to civil rights demonstrations, picking up a few lessons on dignity and courage along the way. Thus, very early on, she acquires a keen sense of social justice. With a dual identity, African American and Indian, she finds there a source of strength and inspiration, a bridge between two cultures that she knows how to wield as a wealth.

At Howard University, the Harvard of African Americans, Harris discovers the challenges specific to her community. She learns resilience there and cultivates ambition, which, for her, are not empty words. She then pursues law, with the firm idea of "changing things from the inside"—in other words, nothing less than reforming the world.

Law, Power, and Some Delicate Choices

Kamala Harris first engages as a prosecutor, then as Attorney General of California, where she wields the hammer of justice with sometimes disconcerting pragmatism. On subjects like the death penalty and drug crimes, her decisions divide. Some accuse her of excessive firmness, others praise her balance between justice and security. Harris, for her part, persists, relying on her sharp instinct to navigate often murky legal waters. Her choices, though controversial, show a woman capable of standing up, even at the cost of unpopular decisions, with an almost British composure.

Her rise propels her onto the national stage in 2020, the first Black and South Asian woman elected vice president. A historic moment that seems made for her, as she advances with this discreet yet palpable tenacity, almost intimidating.

A Family and Friendly Circle as Precious as Influential

Despite a consuming career, Kamala Harris remains close to her family, notably her sister, Maya Harris, a lawyer and a significant advisor in her political life. From the start, she also benefits from the influence of mentors like Willie Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco, who guides her through the labyrinths of California politics. Around her orbit former collaborators of Barack Obama, who provide her with some pro tips to face fierce campaigns. In her intimate circles, her humor is praised, capable of making even the toughest smile, revealing a relaxed Kamala, with a sharp mind, able to lighten the most tense moments. This human and warm aspect is rarely visible to the public, but it deeply nourishes her charisma and popularity.

A Fierce Fight for Equality and Justice

Today, Kamala Harris fights for major societal issues: women’s rights, gender equality, and combating discrimination. She loudly proclaims that access to healthcare is a priority. Recently, she criticizes Donald Trump for his repeated attempts to dismantle healthcare. Facing the November 2024 election, Harris calls on Americans to defend democratic values with the passion of a born orator.

She also addresses the issue of abortion with striking words. "One in three women lives in a state where abortion is now banned," she asserts. For her, these restrictions are the result of years of regressive policies, and she stands as a bulwark against these infringements on fundamental rights.

Uncompromising Pragmatism

Kamala Harris is often perceived as a direct speaker, sometimes even intimidating, whose ability to question the powerful has won an admiring audience during Senate hearings. Her opponents say she is too pragmatic, ready for compromises. She, on the contrary, claims this quality as an art of surviving and conquering in a polarized political world.

Her Christian faith, far from stereotypes, also inspires her choices. Baptized, she often speaks of spirituality, not as an obligation, but as a moral foundation, a discreet compass that helps her work for a more just society.

An Inspiring Vision and a Future to Write

Beyond the criticisms, Kamala Harris, much loved by women, embodies for many a model of inspiration. In her latest speech, she invites Americans to "write the next chapter of history," dreaming of a more just and inclusive society. With the election approaching, she presents herself as a figure of hope, ready to build a more equal future.

Kamala Harris, a woman with an atypical path and solid pragmatism, forges her way with courage and conviction, resolutely focused on the challenges ahead. Perhaps in early November, the first female president of the United States, the world’s leading power.