WATCH: VP Kamala Harris opens up about her faith at Black church convention, targeting faith-based voters before midterms
by Mona Austin
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday seized an opportunity at the National Baptist Convention to rekindle Democratic allegiance from shifting Black faith-based voters in a speech promoting faith in action.
"We know deeply that when people of faith come together anything is possible,' she said, setting the intention of engaging Blac voters for the upcoming mid-term elections.
The Vice President made er affiliation to the Black church known upfront. "I actually grew up attending 23rd Avenue Church of God in Oakland. And there I learned -- as so many of us did, I learned in the Bible of the many teachings about the ever-present tension between darkness and light. . . .I learned to live my faith."
Mrs. Harris also assured the crowd that the president, who attends church service weekly, leads by faith.
Said Harris, "For me and Pes. Joe Biden, faith guides our work every day."
The Black church has traditionally been integral in getting out the vote, leaning toward the democratic party. Yet, many in the black electorate have deflected to the GOP because of its appeal to conservative values over-riding social justice and civil rights issues in recent years. Others have taken ques from disgruntled civil rights elders and advocates who have made it clear that the black vote is not a given following the Biden Administration's failure to secure the Voting Rights Act. . Established in 1886, the convention is the largest African American church conference.
The subject of Harris' religious beliefs has been shrouded in curiosity among some Black voters. Although her spouse is Jewish, Harris was pointed about er own Christian identity while addressing faith in action at the 142nd session of the conference held at Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston.
Harris' put er faith in action in an attempt to connect Virginia Democrat Terry McAuliffe with Black churchgoers when he re-ran for governor. She appeared in a campaign ad that targeted 300 churches across Virginia. The 'souls to te polls" effort failed to secure a win for the gubernatorial candidate.
Based on the heavy Evangelical turn out for former Pres. Donald Trump it is unsurprising that most White Christians voted with the GOP in the 2020 election.
For Biden, Black Protestant voter satisfaction declined sharply in early 2021 according to the Pew Research Center.
Almost a year after Biden took office his approval rating plummeted from 92% in March of 2021 to just 65% in January of 2021 among Black Protestant voters.
The challenge for both the POTUS and VPOTUS ensuring specific interests on the Blac agenda are being fed. She mentioned the Biden Administration investing in community banks and small businesses, tackling racial bias in home appraisals, and f Studies show African Americans concerns about jobs and the economy are increasing. arris did not address a solution for tis crucial area of concern was not given at the time.
Harris went on to address ideals that have ben under attack by the opposing side -- of standing for democracy peacefully, embracing truth, gun violence and a woman's right to choose.
"One does not have to abandon their faith to agree that a woman has a right to make decisions about her own body and to have her government tell her what to do. The government should not be making that decision," the vice president stated.
Loosely quoting a scripture from 1 Corinthians she urged fellow Christians to continue carrying the mantle for truth , "Be on your guard, Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong and do everything in love."
On Friday, Harris is expected to stop at the NASA Johnson Space Center nearby to lead the second National Space Council Meeting. As Vice President se is the head of the National Space Council.
Comments