The Truths We Hold: An American Journey

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey is a memoir by Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black person, and first person of South Asian descent to be elected Vice President of the United States. Published in 2019, the book draws on Harris’s extensive experience as a prosecutor, Attorney General of California, and US Senator. This political memoir falls within the genre of autobiographical nonfiction, offering both personal reflections and policy insights. The title reflects Harris’s commitment to speaking truth to power and her belief in the fundamental truths that unite Americans. In the book, Harris recounts her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants, her career in law enforcement and politics, and her vision for America’s future. She weaves together personal anecdotes with discussions of key policy issues, providing readers with a comprehensive view of her life, values, and political philosophy.

This study guide refers to the 2019 Penguin e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss racism, rape and sexual assault, anti-immigrant bias, anti-gay bias, anti-trans bias, substance use disorder, and violence.

Summary

The book opens with a preface recounting the night of the tumultuous 2016 US presidential election. Harris describes the contrast between her historic win as California’s first Black woman elected to the US Senate and the unexpected victory of Donald Trump in the presidential race. Harris emphasizes the critical importance of speaking truth to power, drawing inspiration from Thurgood Marshall’s words about the necessity of dissent in a free society.

In the early chapters, Harris describes her background and the formative experiences of her early career. She describes herself as the daughter of immigrants—her father from Jamaica and her mother from India—and how their experiences shaped her worldview. Harris recounts her decision to become a prosecutor, a choice that drew skepticism from some of her peers. She frames this decision as a strategic move to reform the criminal justice system from within, challenging the notion that progressive values and law enforcement are inherently at odds.

Harris then provides an in-depth look at her tenure as San Francisco District Attorney and her approach as a “progressive prosecutor.” She details initiatives like the Back on Track program, which aimed to reduce recidivism rates among nonviolent offenders through education and job training. Harris explains how these programs were designed to address the root causes of crime and break the cycle of incarceration. She also discusses her efforts to tackle systemic issues in criminal justice, such as implicit bias in policing and the school-to-prison pipeline.

The narrative then shifts to Harris’s role as California Attorney General during the 2008 financial crisis. She provides a detailed account of her negotiations with big banks in the aftermath of the subprime mortgage crisis. Harris describes how she pushed for a larger settlement for California homeowners, standing firm against pressure from both the banks and federal officials. Additionally, Harris covers her involvement in the fight for marriage equality, recounting her refusal to defend Proposition 8 in court and her efforts to expedite gay marriages once the ban was lifted. Harris also shares personal anecdotes, describing her marriage to Doug Emhoff.

The middle portion of the book focuses on Harris’s transition to the US Senate and her early experiences in Washington. She provides an insider’s view of the confirmation hearings for Trump administration appointees, detailing her questioning techniques and the reasoning behind her opposition to many of the nominees. Harris pays particular attention to immigration issues, providing an in-depth look at the DACA program and the family separation policies at the US-Mexico border. She describes her visits to detention centers and her advocacy for immigrant rights, offering both policy critiques and personal reflections on the human cost of these policies.

Harris then turns her attention to pressing domestic issues, offering a comprehensive critique of the US healthcare system. She advocates for Medicare for All, arguing that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Harris addresses racial disparities in healthcare outcomes, citing alarming statistics about maternal mortality rates among women of color. She also delves into the opioid crisis, criticizing pharmaceutical companies and proposing a public health approach to substance use disorder. On the economic front, Harris discusses the challenges facing middle-class Americans, from stagnant wages to the rising cost of living. She proposes solutions like the LIFT Middle Class Act, which would provide a tax credit to working families, and emphasizes the importance of revitalizing labor unions to protect workers’ rights.

In the latter chapters, Harris addresses national security issues, with a focus on 21st-century threats like cybersecurity and climate change. She draws from her experiences on the Senate Intelligence Committee to discuss vulnerabilities in US election infrastructure and the need for a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Harris frames climate change as a national security threat, linking it to resource scarcity and global instability. She advocates for rejoining the Paris Agreement and investing in renewable energy, presenting these actions as both environmental necessities and economic opportunities.

The book concludes with Harris outlining her key leadership principles, drawn from her years of public service. She emphasizes the importance of applying scientific thinking to policymaking, encouraging leaders to formulate hypotheses, test them, and adjust based on evidence. Harris reflects on significant events like the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, using them to illustrate broader points about gender equality and the importance of believing survivors of sexual assault. She stresses the importance of mentorship and representation in politics, sharing stories of young people she has guided throughout her career.

Overall, The Truths We Hold provides deep insight into Harris’s political philosophy, her approach to governance, and her vision for America’s future. By sharing both her successes and challenges, Harris presents herself as a relatable yet formidable leader, committed to progressive values and pragmatic reform within existing systems. The book is not only a record of Harris’s career but also as a call to action for readers to engage in the ongoing work of perfecting American democracy.