As Vice President, Kamala Harris is openly supportive of reparations for Black people, especially as her presidential campaign gains momentum.
After President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris, discussions have turned towards what her potential presidency might entail and the policies she would advocate for.
During an interview with The Root, a Black publication, Harris endorsed the idea of reparations to address the enduring impact of slavery and discrimination against African Americans in the United States.
Harris pointed out the lasting effects of over 200 years of slavery, nearly a century of Jim Crow laws, and ongoing racial segregation. She highlighted the need for deliberate interventions to address the long-standing harm and inequality faced by Black communities.
When asked about specifics, Harris committed to initiating a national dialogue on the form reparations could take, emphasizing the importance of addressing untreated trauma within the Black community.
She had previously backed a proposal to establish a commission to examine reparations and has floated ideas like funding mental health services for Black individuals as a form of redress for slavery.
In the past, Harris had also put forward a tax credit plan to assist middle- and low-income Black households financially.
Since emerging as the likely Democratic nominee, Harris has been speculated upon as a contender in the presidential race. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich even suggested she might be a more formidable candidate than expected by Republicans.
Current polling data shows Harris slightly trailing her Republican opponent, President Trump. However, a significant majority of Black voters in Michigan expressed support for Harris in a recent survey, with minimal backing for Trump.