In Kamala, We Trust?

A woman whose identity and career Inspires and Divides

by Cebelihle Hlatshwayo

Kamala Harris stepped onto the debate stage as a candidate with much to prove. Facing Donald Trump in a highly anticipated exchange, the Vice President needed to assert her vision for the nation while confronting skepticism about her leadership.

Why Some Voters Stand with Harris

For many voters, Harris embodies the promise of progress and inclusion. For others, she represents the uncertainty of a politician who has yet to fully define herself. The debate left one key question lingering: Do Americans trust Kamala Harris to lead?

Harris set the tone by presenting herself as a leader focused on unity and progress. In her opening remarks, she contrasted her vision for the country with Trump’s policies, stating, “So I think you've heard tonight two very different visions for our country—one that is focused on the future and the other that is focused on the past and an attempt to take us backward. But we're not going back.”

For Harris supporters, her performance highlighted her ability to stay composed while articulating a clear platform. Nikki Morrison, a Biological Chemistry major at Howard University, remarked, “Kamala obviously has already proven that she can make clear, informed decisions. The fact that she was able to maintain her composure while a literal heretic was standing across from her making baseless claims, for me, gave a glimpse into the President we as Americans deserve.”

Harris's supporters often highlight her long career as a prosecutor, senator, and now Vice President, seeing it as proof that she has what it takes to handle the complexities of leading the country. Her push for more affordable healthcare and tackling systemic racial injustices makes her a symbol of progress and inclusion for many.

The Dislikes: Harris’s Critics and Their Concerns

At the same time, not everyone is convinced. While some champion Harris as a leader ready to bring change, her critics are just as vocal about their doubts. Some question her record on criminal justice reform, wondering if her current positions are authentic or politically motivated. Daniel Sutten, a political science student at George Washington University, expressed his mistrust: “Honestly, she feels like a typical politician who doesn’t really stand for anything except advancing her career.”

Foreign policy is another area where Harris has drawn criticism. Armani Henderson, an engineering student at George Washington University, expressed frustration over Harris’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict: “Her whole image of caring about all the different cultures in this country just kind of disappeared when she said she wouldn’t make any changes to how they’re handling Israel. She needs to show real commitment to stopping what’s happening in Gaza, and that starts with not funding it. Anything less than that just won’t cut it.”

Economists have also raised red flags about some of Harris’s proposed policies. Andria Smythe, a professor in Howard’s economics department, critiqued her price gouging laws in an interview with The Hilltop, saying, “While these laws protect consumers during emergencies, applying them during regular economic times could cause problems.”

The Lesser Evil

For some voters, supporting Harris isn’t about embracing her vision—it’s about rejecting Trump. Terrance McAll, a medical student at Howard University, described his dilemma: “It seems like Donald Trump is still Donald Trump, still making crazy statements, still lying. I do not feel like the Harris administration can give us a new direction, but judging from the debate, Trump definitely should not be a person who should. So we, as Americans, are stuck between a rock and a hard place. It’s Kamala by default.”

For these voters, Harris represents a safer option—one grounded in competence and stability, even if not entirely inspiring. As the campaign unfolds, Harris faces the challenge of defining herself beyond the shadow of Trump. To some, she represents hope for a more inclusive and equitable America. To others, she is simply the lesser of two evils.

For Harris supporter Nikki Morrison, the Vice President’s potential transcends political calculations: “We’ve come too far to go backward. Harris isn’t perfect, but she’s the best option we have for real progress.” With the election looming, it remains to be seen whether voters will embrace Harris’s vision or simply vote to avoid another Trump presidency.