Vice President Kamala Harris tackled crucial topics like reparations, marijuana convictions, and border policies during her in-depth interview with Charlamagne Tha God on his popular radio program. The show, highly favored by Black listeners, aired on iHeartRadio and featured an hour-long discussion where Harris addressed pressing issues and answered questions from listeners.
Addressing Criticism on Scripted Responses
Charlamagne, known for his no-holds-barred approach, opened the conversation by pointing out that some criticize Harris for sounding overly “scripted” during interviews. He asked directly, “What do you say to people who say you stay on talking points?”
Harris didn’t shy away from the question, emphasizing discipline in her responses. “I would say, ‘You’re welcome,’” Harris replied. She explained, “There are certain things that must be repeated to ensure that I have everyone know what I stand for and the issues that I think are at stake in this election. And so, it requires repetition.”
Addressing Marijuana Convictions
One of the more controversial points brought up during the interview was Harris’ record on marijuana-related incarcerations during her time as San Francisco District Attorney. Charlamagne addressed the misinformation circulating about her imprisoning thousands of Black men on drug charges, asking for clarification.
“It’s just simply not true,” Harris responded firmly.
She added that public defenders from that period would corroborate her claim, asserting, “I was the most progressive prosecutor in California on marijuana cases and would not send people to jail for simple possession of weed.”
However, while Harris has since become an advocate for decriminalizing marijuana, reports show that nearly 2,000 marijuana convictions occurred under her oversight as district attorney.
The Complex Issue of Reparations
During the show, Harris also took live questions from listeners, including one regarding her stance on reparations for slavery. Harris reiterated her broader commitment to equality, stating, “I am running to be a president for all Americans. That being said, I do have clear eyes about the disparities that exist and the context in which they exist.” She emphasized the need for further study on reparations, maintaining that her position remains clear on this issue.
Confronting Border Policies
Later in the interview, Charlamagne shifted the conversation to immigration, a topic he has raised with Harris multiple times. He questioned the Biden administration’s handling of the border, to which Harris responded by defending the administration’s early actions.
“No, Charlamagne,” Harris countered. She explained that within hours of their inauguration, the Biden administration introduced legislation aimed at reforming the broken immigration system, something she argued was neglected by the previous administration.
The interview came at a critical time, as Harris has been facing waning support among Black male voters, a group traditionally loyal to the Democratic Party. Her appearance on Charlamagne’s show was a direct attempt to reverse this trend, following comments made by former President Barack Obama, who recently criticized the lack of enthusiasm among Black men for Harris. Polls indicate a shifting dynamic, with former President Donald Trump gaining ground among this demographic.
