York College Journalism students hereby endorse Kamala Harris.
By Miada E Hunte De La Chevrotiere, Kedoo Lightbody, Samara Delythe Anderson, Ashirah Monique Newton, Madoussou Kone
Kamala Harris speaks with intention and clarity, delivering her message with precision and purpose. She embodies the diverse and dynamic fabric of the United States today. She is the antithesis of her competitor, Donald Trump, and she is a person who reflects both York College, and the United States as a whole.
There is no other candidate as unfit to run the US as Trump; he is brash, uneducated on the matters of the state, and shows a blatant disregard—if not outright distaste—for the minorities of this country, due to factors out of their control (such as race, sex, age or disability) which stems from ignorance and personal prejudice.
Having Trump as a president makes a mockery out of everything this country stands for—its reputation as an equal opportunity land of the free, no matter what your background, as you work hard—and not only this country, but York as well, being a campus populated by racial minorities of varied backgrounds. Calling back to earlier arguments of her mixed heritage, debating if Kamala is racially Black or South Asian, and finding it unfathomable that in a country known for its diversity, the answer could be as simple as both—a American candidate reflecting the multicultural identity of the country she’s from.
Her age, as well, makes her a prime candidate for election. During his presidency, former President Donald Trump made personal attacks at Biden’s age and mental acuity, branding him “Sleepy Joe” in an effort to undermine his credibility. Now, at 78, Trump has become the oldest candidate seeking the presidency, bringing age and fitness for office into sharp focus once again. Kamala, herself, is 18 years younger, and is capable of being healthy and stable enough to last in the presidential seat.
Moreover, Kamala Harris has shown strong support for reproductive rights, which is essential for women’s health and family planning. Her stance includes defending access to birth control, safe abortion services, and overall reproductive healthcare. She also supports access to reproductive treatments like In Vitro Fertilization (or IVF), which can be life changing for individuals facing infertility.
Along with her support for reproductive rights, Harris believes that empowering women financially is essential to their independence and well-being. Her approach to economic policy reflects her dedication to giving individuals the freedom to make decisions that help their families without financial constraints. By providing more resources to parents, especially mothers, she addresses the economic challenges that disproportionately affect the female population. This promotes greater equality and security within households. Her policy aims to bridge economic gaps that hinder parents’ ability to provide stable and healthy environments for their children.
Beyond direct financial support for families, Harris has also been an advocate for improving the public education system. She has consistently highlighted the need to increase educator’s salaries, recognizing that they are fundamental to shaping the knowledge of students. Her policy proposals aim to uplift the teaching profession and ensure that educators are being adequately compensated. She believes that improving the quality of public education is essential for the success of future generations, and that better pay for teachers is an essential element in achieving this goal.
In addition to reforming primary and secondary education, Harris is committed to making higher education more accessible and affordable for all students. She has addressed the burden of student loan debt, advocating for reforms that would reduce financial strain on college graduates and give them a fair start in their careers. By tackling these systemic issues in education and student debt, Harris’s economic vision extends beyond immediate relief for families to long-term structural changes that encourage economic mobility and growth. Her comprehensive approach reflects her belief in the power of education and financial stability to drive opportunity and progress for all.
Harris has proven strong commitment to supporting working-class families through targeted economic policies. One of her main plans includes expanding the child tax credit to $6,000, a measure designed to lessen financial pressures on parents. By increasing this credit, Harris aims to provide immediate relief to families who are struggling with attaining necessities for their children due to inflation. This support is especially beneficial for first-time parents, helping them afford essentials like food and clothing, and enabling a better start for their growing families.
By prioritizing these rights and having viable plans to support and improve the quality of life for women, Kamala Harris has shown she is committed to giving women and families the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and futures.
Most importantly, as budding journalists we believe – unequivocally – that Kamala Harris’ allegiance to honesty and accountability has the potential to strengthen journalism and empower journalists. Her support for press freedom and her open, policy-driven communication style encourages a political climate where journalists can publish stories without the fear of suppression. As a presidential candidate who respects journalistic integrity, Harris would create a more supportive environment for investigative journalism, ensuring that reporters have access to information necessary to hold the government accountable.
For these reasons, we will be endorsing Kamala Harris as our 2024 president.
