Stretching to reach Black voters in time for the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris is tapping a deep, personal well of inspiration: her faith. Harris has long been identified as a champion of racial and social justice. Still, now she also believes her faith and principles speak directly to the issues that matter most to Black voters-the same constituency the Democratic Party cannot afford to lose in critical midterm and presidential elections. While speaking to issues that have important impacts on this community and national issues such as voting rights, economic inequality, and criminal justice reform-Harris seeks to earn the trust of these constituents in part through reflections about how resilience, community, and faith themselves can transform.
Harris’s faith evolution comes from her multicultural upbringing, which not only exposed her to the Baptist but also to the Hindu faiths, and was shaped throughout her years as a student at Howard University. One fundamental component of her background is her relationship with the Black church and its centuries-long history of activism in civil rights. Her perception of the history of the church, represented by the images of Martin Luther King Jr., secures her dedication to the fight against disenfranchisement and policies that empower historically marginalized groups. At rallies and in her speeches, Harris has been plain about how her spiritual life informs her vision of America: a “moral compass” to guide her toward justice and equality.
She has worked particularly hard to protect voting rights, a priority especially with restrictive legislative actions taken in many states within the past year, stripping millions of minority voters of their vote. Harris insists that voting rights are not just a matter of politics but also a “holy obligation,” driven by her faith and the history of Black leaders who fought for civil rights. Harris is doubling down on the message that protecting democracy means the safeguarding of the right of all citizens to vote freely and fairly.
Voting rights aside, Harris’s campaign resonates in matters of economic and criminal justice reform. She aims to open the way for those platforms by binding them directly to her values and beliefs as the fight for equality amongst blacks. With much at stake, Harris understands the need for compelling communication that is real and relatable. As she campaigns on, she draws strength from a straightforward and potent message built upon her faith: “Do the right thing, no matter how difficult.”
This faith-based focus reflects the influential role of her capacity for fostering deeper meaningful connections with Black voters as she and President Joe Biden head into re-election.
