The Truths We Hold: An American Journey

“First, my name is pronounced ‘comma-la,’ like the punctuation mark. It means ‘lotus flower,’ which is a symbol of significance in Indian culture. A lotus grows underwater, its flower rising above the surface while its roots are planted firmly in the river bottom.”

This quote serves multiple purposes within the context of The Truths We Hold. Firstly, it provides a personal touch, allowing readers to correctly pronounce Harris’s name and understand its meaning; this gesture creates a sense of intimacy. The explanation of her name’s meaning introduces a metaphor that resonates throughout the book. The lotus flower, growing from the depths to bloom above the surface, symbolizes resilience, growth, and the ability to rise above challenges. This aligns with Harris’s narrative of overcoming obstacles and ascending in her political career. This quote also subtly acknowledges Harris’s Indian heritage, introducing the topic of cultural identity that recurs throughout the book.

“It was a defining moment in my life. It was the crystallization of how, even on the margins of the criminal justice system, the stakes were extraordinarily high and intensely human. It was a realization that, even with the limited authority of an intern, people who cared could do justice. It was revelatory, a moment that proved how much it mattered to have compassionate people working as prosecutors.”

Harris uses this anecdote to highlight key ideas of The Truths We Hold: the importance of Compassion in Law Enforcement, the potential for positive change within the system, and the human stakes involved in legal decisions. The phrase “even with the limited authority of an intern” underscores her belief that dedication and empathy can overcome institutional limitations. This experience is a foundational moment that shaped Harris’s approach to her career and her vision for criminal justice reform.

“My mother was raising us to believe that ‘It’s too hard!’ was never an acceptable excuse; that being a good person meant standing for something larger than yourself; that success is measured in part by what you help others achieve and accomplish. She would tell us, ‘Fight systems in a way that causes them to be fairer, and don’t be limited by what has always been.’”

This quote reveals the core values her mother instilled in Harris that form the foundation of her personal and professional ethos. The use of direct quotations adds authenticity and emotional resonance to the passage. The ideas expressed here—perseverance, social responsibility, and the imperative to challenge and improve existing systems—are recurring themes throughout The Truths We Hold. The phrase “don’t be limited by what has always been” particularly encapsulates Harris’s approach to reform and progress. This quote illustrates how Harris’s upbringing shaped her worldview and her commitment to social justice, providing context for her later career choices and political positions.

“I knew quite well that equal justice was an aspiration. I knew that the force of the law was applied unevenly, sometimes by design. But I also knew that what was wrong with the system didn’t need to be an immutable fact. And I wanted to be part of changing that.”

Harris acknowledges the gap between the ideal of equal justice and the reality of uneven application of the law, using the contrast to highlight the need for change. The phrase “sometimes by design” points to systemic issues rather than mere coincidence or individual failings. The final sentence expresses her proactive approach to reform, a central theme of The Truths We Hold. This quote encapsulates The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals: recognizing problems while maintaining optimism about the potential for positive change through active engagement with the system.

“As deputy DA, my job had been to hold violators of the law accountable. But didn’t the system owe them and their communities some accountability, too? What the system doled out instead was an era of mass incarceration that has further devastated already disadvantaged communities. The United States puts more people in prison than any country in the world. All told, we had more than 2.1 million people locked up in state and federal prisons in 2018. To put that in perspective: there are fifteen American states that have smaller populations than that. The war on drugs pulled a lot of people into the system; it turned the criminal justice system into an assembly line. I saw it up close.”

This quote addresses an important issue raised in the book: the need for reform in the criminal justice system. Harris uses rhetorical questions to challenge the status quo and highlight the systemic issues. She employs statistics and a striking comparison to American state populations to emphasize the scale of mass incarceration. The metaphor of the “assembly line” illustrates the dehumanizing nature of the system. Harris’s personal experience as a deputy DA lends credibility to her critique, demonstrating how her firsthand observations inform her policy positions.

“The job of a progressive prosecutor is to look out for the overlooked, to speak up for those whose voices aren’t being heard, to see and address the causes of crime, not just their consequences, and to shine a light on the inequality and unfairness that lead to injustice. It is to recognize that not everyone needs punishment, that what many need, quite plainly, is help.”

Harris defines her vision of a “progressive prosecutor,” a concept central to her approach to criminal justice reform. The repetitive structure emphasizes the multifaceted nature of this role. Harris uses evocative language like “look out for,” “speak up,” and “shine a light” to portray the prosecutor as an active agent of change and advocacy. The final sentence presents a change in thinking, challenging the punitive approach to justice and advocating for a more rehabilitative model. This quote encapsulates Harris’s belief in addressing root causes and promoting equity within the justice system.

“When I was attorney general, I made sure ours was the first state law enforcement agency to require body cameras for its agents. I did it because it was the right thing to do. But I was able to do it because the Black Lives Matter movement had created intense pressure. By forcing these issues onto the national agenda, the movement created an environment on the outside that helped give me the space to get it done on the inside. That’s often how change happens.”

This quote illustrates Harris’s understanding of the interplay between grassroots movements and institutional change. She acknowledges the role of external pressure from the Black Lives Matter movement in facilitating internal policy changes. The spatial metaphor of “outside” and “inside” effectively conveys the relationship between public activism and governmental action. Harris’s tone is both proud of her accomplishment and humble in recognizing the broader context that made it possible. This quote reinforces a key theme of the book: the importance of both working within the system and challenging it from the outside to achieve meaningful reform.

“Two and a half million foreclosures initiated. There is something clinical about saying it that way. Something that makes the human tragedy and trauma seem abstract. Foreclosure is not a statistic. Foreclosure is a husband suffering in silence, knowing he’s in trouble but too ashamed to tell his partner that he has failed. Foreclosure is a mother on the phone with her bank, pleading for more time—just until the school year is over. Foreclosure is the sheriff knocking at your door and ordering you out of your home.”

This quote exemplifies Harris’s emphasis on the human impact of policy decisions and economic crises. She employs a powerful rhetorical device by juxtaposing the cold, statistical representation of foreclosures with vivid, emotional vignettes of individuals affected by them. The repetition of “Foreclosure is...” creates a rhythmic structure that hammers home the personal toll of the crisis. By personalizing foreclosure, Harris transforms an abstract concept into a tangible experience, underscoring a key message of The Truths We Hold: the importance of seeing beyond numbers to the real people affected by political and economic forces.

“I wanted to know how many underwater homeowners there were county by county so that we could target relief to the highest pain points. I also wanted to understand what we were dealing with in very human terms: How many people was the money going to help? How many would be left to fend for themselves? How many children were affected by the foreclosure crisis?”

Here, Harris illustrates her approach to problem-solving, combining data-driven analysis with a focus on human impact. Her use of questions creates a sense of urgency and engagement. The phrase “very human terms” echoes the theme of humanizing statistics seen in the previous quote. By mentioning children, Harris broadens the scope of the crisis’s impact, emphasizing its long-term consequences on families and communities. This passage reflects Harris’s commitment to thorough, empathetic governance, a central theme of the book.

“In other words, tomorrow’s generations will suffer as a result of yesterday’s folly and greed. We cannot change what has already happened. But we can make sure it never happens again.”

This quote evokes Harris’s forward-looking approach to addressing systemic issues. She acknowledges the long-term consequences of the housing crisis, particularly its disproportionate impact on Black families, using strong language (“folly and greed”) to characterize the causes. The juxtaposition of “yesterday” and “tomorrow” underscores the lasting effects of past actions. The final sentence strikes a determined, optimistic tone, reflecting Harris’s belief in the power of proactive governance to prevent future crises. This sentiment aligns with the book’s overarching theme of learning from the past to create a better future through decisive action and policy reform.

“The connections were so clear. You could map the path for children who started drifting away from the classroom when they were young. The truant child became the wanderer…who became the target for gang recruiters…who became the young drug courier…who became the perpetrator—or the victim—of violence. If we didn’t see that child in elementary school, where they belonged, chances were we’d see them later in prison, in the hospital, or dead.”

This quote exemplifies The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals in Harris’s approach to law enforcement and social issues. She draws a clear, causal connection between early truancy and later criminal involvement or victimization. The use of ellipses creates a sense of inevitable progression that results from disengagement with early education. Harris’s focus on early intervention in schools as a means of crime prevention demonstrates her belief in addressing root causes rather than merely reacting to symptoms. This perspective aligns with the book’s overall theme of Changing the System From Within, as Harris seeks to use her law enforcement position to address social issues at their source.

“Still, I was willing to be the bad guy if it meant highlighting an issue that otherwise would have received too little attention. Political capital doesn’t gain interest. You have to spend it to make a difference.”

Here, Harris shows a commitment to taking political risks for causes she believes in. The financial metaphor of “political capital” not gaining interest emphasizes the need for active engagement and risk-taking in politics. Harris’s readiness to be the “bad guy” demonstrates her prioritization of effective action over popular approval, a recurring theme in The Truths We Hold. This approach also reflects the theme of Changing the System From Within, as Harris uses her position and influence to draw attention to overlooked issues, even at the cost of potential criticism.

“Standing among them, I thought about the duality of the immigrant experience in America. On the one hand, it is an experience characterized by an extraordinary sense of hopefulness and purpose, a deep belief in the power of the American Dream—an experience of possibility. At the same time, it is an experience too often scarred by stereotyping and scapegoating, in which discrimination, both explicit and implicit, is part of everyday life.”

Harris expresses the complex reality of the immigrant experience in America. She employs antithesis to juxtapose immigrants’ hopeful aspirations with the harsh realities they often face. The phrase “duality of the immigrant experience” encapsulates this contrast, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects. Her use of vivid language, such as “extraordinary sense of hopefulness” and “scarred by stereotyping,” creates an emotional impact. This quote reflects the book’s theme of The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals, as it acknowledges both the idealistic vision of America and the practical challenges immigrants face.

“Children of immigrants also faced a new kind of torment. Teachers around the country have reported spikes in bullying that echoes the administration’s rhetoric. Kids are being taunted by other kids, told they will be deported, told their parents will be deported, told they should go back where they came from. The words of one prominent, powerful bully have been mimicked and adopted as the rallying cry of bullies everywhere.”

This quote illustrates the ripple effect of political rhetoric on vulnerable communities, particularly the children of immigrants. Harris uses concrete examples to demonstrate how anti-immigrant sentiment at the highest levels of government translates into real-world consequences. The repetition of “told” emphasizes the relentless nature of this bullying, and Harris’s choice of the word “torment” underscores the severity of the situation. By referring to a “prominent, powerful bully,” Harris draws a direct line between the administration’s language and schoolyard bullying, effectively criticizing the normalization of such behavior.

“Let’s call this what it is. The White House and DHS were using children—babies—as pawns in a profoundly misguided and inhumane policy to deter immigration. Attorney General Sessions admitted as much—proudly, it appeared, while quoting scripture to justify the abuse.”

Harris delivers a direct and forceful critique of the Trump administration’s family separation policy. By using the phrase “Let’s call this what it is,” Harris emphasizes her commitment to speaking truth to power, echoing the title of the book. The use of the metaphoric word “pawns” highlights the dehumanization of immigrant children, and Harris’s mention of Sessions quoting scripture adds a layer of irony and moral contradiction. This quote reflects the book’s theme of Compassion in Law Enforcement, as Harris argues for a more humane approach to immigration policy.

“I often describe the balance of our democracy as resting on four legs: three independent, coequal branches of government and a free, independent press. As this horror unfolded, the press worked tirelessly to safeguard our true values. Crews of reporters went down to our southern border, filming, filing, and reporting in real time, showing Americans what was really going on, bringing the crisis into our living rooms. The vivid daily coverage informed and inspired a public outcry that eventually forced the administration to backtrack, at least temporarily.”

This quote illustrates Harris’s view on the press’s crucial role in maintaining democratic accountability. The metaphor of democracy resting on “four legs” emphasizes the equal importance Harris places on the press alongside the three branches of government. The description of reporters’ work at the border highlights the press’s role in exposing injustice and informing the public. Phrases like “safeguard our true values” and “bringing the crisis into our living rooms” underscore the power of journalism to connect people to distant events and inspire action. This quote reflects the book’s theme of The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals, showing how concrete actions like reporting can lead to tangible results (public outcry and policy change) in pursuit of higher ideals.

“But in our nation’s approach to health care, we’ve created a bizarre dichotomy: we are simultaneously home to the most sophisticated medical institutions in the world and to structural dysfunction that deprives millions of Americans of equal access to health care, a basic human right. Unlike many other wealthy nations, the United States does not provide universal health care for our citizens.”

Harris critiques the American healthcare system, highlighting the paradox between advanced medical capabilities and unequal access. The use of the term “bizarre dichotomy” emphasizes the situation’s absurdity. Harris frames healthcare as a “basic human right,” aligning with the theme of The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals by advocating for systemic change while acknowledging current realities. The comparison to other wealthy nations underscores the uniqueness of the US system’s shortcomings, implying the need for reform.

“These disparities begin in the delivery room. Black babies are twice as likely as white babies to die in infancy, a stunning disparity that is wider than in 1850, when slavery was still legal.”

This quote starkly illustrates racial disparities in healthcare outcomes. The comparison to 1850 is a powerful rhetorical device, emphasizing the persistence and worsening of racial inequalities despite societal progress. By using the term “stunning disparity,” Harris conveys both shock and urgency. This statement aligns with the theme of Changing the System From Within, as it implicitly calls for addressing healthcare’s systemic racism through policy reform.

“And though I miss her every day, I carry her with me wherever I go. I think of her all the time. Sometimes I look up and talk to her. I love her so much. And there is no title or honor on earth I’ll treasure more than to say I am Shyamala Gopalan Harris’s daughter. That is the truth I hold dearest of all.”

Harris concludes Chapter 7 with a personal reflection on her relationship with her late mother. The emotional tone and intimate details create a poignant moment that humanizes Harris and provides insight into her motivations. The phrase “truth I hold dearest of all” echoes the book’s title, The Truths We Hold, suggesting that personal truths and experiences shape one’s values and actions. This anecdote connects Harris’s policy positions and career choices to her upbringing and family influences.

“Corporate profits have soared, but American workers haven’t gotten a meaningful raise in forty years. And yet there is no shame, it seems, in CEOs making more than three hundred times the wage of their average worker. The goal of economic growth has to be to grow the pie. But if all that’s left for workers are the crumbs, what kind of economy are we really building?”

This quote encapsulates Harris’s critique of the US’s income inequality. She uses a stark contrast between corporate profits and worker wages to highlight the growing disparity. The metaphor of growing the economic “pie” versus leaving only “crumbs” for workers illustrates the unfairness of wealth distribution. The rhetorical question at the end challenges readers to consider the long-term consequences of this economic model. This quote reflects the theme of The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals, as Harris identifies a widespread problem and implicitly calls for change.

“Put bluntly, we have work to do. Hard work. Indispensable work. We have everything we need—all of the raw ingredients—to build an economy for the 21st century that is fair and sturdy, an economy that rewards the work of those who sustain it. But we have to hurry. And we have to be willing to speak truth.”

Harris provides a call to action and an optimistic yet urgent approach to addressing economic challenges. The repetition of “work” emphasizes the effort required for change. The metaphor of “raw ingredients” suggests that the potential for improvement exists but needs to be properly utilized, and the adjectives “fair” and “sturdy” outline Harris’s vision for the economy. The final sentence, with its emphasis on urgency and truth-speaking, encapsulates her forthright communication style. This quote embodies the themes of The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals and Changing the System From Within, as Harris advocates for systemic change while acknowledging the resources already available to effect that change.

“First and foremost, I think of cybersecurity—a new front in a new kind of battle. If we had a daily visual of attacks under way—of explosions in our cities, of Russian, Chinese, North Korean, and Iranian warplanes overhead—the American people would insist that we respond, clear in the knowledge that the future of the American experiment was very much at risk. But cyber warfare is silent warfare, and its consequences are often difficult to grasp before the damage is done.”

This quote illustrates Harris’s concern about the invisible nature of cyberthreats. She employs a hypothetical scenario to contrast physical warfare with cybersecurity threats, using imagery of explosions and enemy aircraft to emphasize the situation’s gravity. The comparison highlights how cyberattacks’ intangible nature can lead to complacency. Harris’s tone is urgent and cautionary, stressing the need for vigilance in the face of this new form of warfare.

“We must remember what we have worked and in some cases bled for: an international order that promotes peace and cooperation; a commitment to democracy, here and around the world; a rejection of despots and tyrants and dictators who rule their countries based on their self-interest alone, not the interests of the people they are meant to serve.”

Harris appeals to shared values and historical sacrifice to emphasize the importance of maintaining a global democratic order. The phrase “worked and in some cases bled for” uses emotive language to underscore the commitment’s gravity. She employs parallelism in listing the key elements of this international order, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The contrast between selfless democratic ideals and self-interested despotism further reinforces her point. This quote embodies the theme of The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals, as Harris advocates for upholding democratic principles on a global scale while acknowledging the practical challenges involved.