Thread by @kazweida

There are lots of rumors swirling about Kamala Harris. On the far right, we have the seeds of birtherism taking root. On the left, we have criticism surrounding her record as a prosecutor.

This # SundayMorning , let's separate fact from fiction.

(THREAD)
rantt.com/kamala-harris-…

(2) Born in 1964 in Oakland, CA Kamala Devi Harris is the daughter of immigrants from India & Jamaica. Her mother was a breast cancer researcher & her father became an economics professor at Stanford.

marieclaire.com/politics/a2599…

(3) Though it's irrelevant to her eligibility to run since she was born in the United States, her parents were both American citizens when Kamala was born.

She grew up taking part in civil rights protest in Berkley and her Mom was an activist.

(4) One of the parts of Kamala Harris’s background that has drawn the most criticism on the left has been her track record as a self-styled reformer of the criminal justice system. But those who criticize her record fail to put it in context.

vox.com/future-perfect…

(5) Even as she’s refused to seek the death penalty for cop killers, she’s also been rebuked for failing to hold police officers accountable and for at times, defending California’s death penalty. But let's be clear- these stances were considered progressive for her time.

(6) When her AG office defended using inmates for forced labor in CA wildfires, Harris condemned it saying it didn't reflect her priorities.
“The idea that we incarcerate people to have indentured servants is one of the worst possible perceptions-It evokes images of chain gangs”

(7) Rumors about her stance regarding truancy have also been debunked. While she may have made some strongly worded comments about the matter, there is no evidence that communities of color were incarcerated or terrorized by her office.
factcheck.org/2019/05/kamala…

(8) These contradictions in Harris’s background have been a longstanding source of ire from progressives, some of whom have framed Senator Harris as a “dirty cop.” In fact, during her days as district attorney, Kamala Harris was often criticized as not being tough enough on crime

(9) As a result of her gender and race, Kamala's careful balancing act throughout a career reflects changing perceptions over the past few decades about racial inequality and the criminal justice system. You can look to politicians like Obama who demonstrated the same pragmatism.

(10) Criticisms of Kamala & a close inspection of her record are fair. But those discussions should be based on facts.

I'd encourage you to combat smear campaigns directed at a candidate because of race, but also the sneakier ones crafted from false narratives & misleading info.

(END) Thanks to @DreamingDrama_ for the #SundayMorning thread suggestion. Like these threads and what to keep them coming?

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