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From Oakland to Montreal: What do Harris's cross-country adventures as a girl reveal?
Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California in 1964. Her early life and academic achievements not only shaped her personal identity, but also had a profound impact on her future career. Reflecting on her childhood in Oakland and her subsequent move to Montreal, we are reminded of how this transnational experience shaped her vision and values as a public servant.
Early life and education
Harris's parents are both outstanding scholars. His mother is a geneticist and his father is an economics professor. This family background has immersed her in an atmosphere of knowledge since she was a child. Her mother was academically accomplished, and her influence on Harris is evident.
Harris once mentioned that her mother "knew her hometown would view her and her sister as black girls, so she was determined to make sure we grew up to be confident, proud black women."
The process of moving to Montreal
When Harris was 12 years old, she moved to Montreal, Canada with her mother and younger sister, a move that exposed her to a different culture and education system. Here, she not only learned French, but also entered a diverse school environment. These experiences further enriched her worldview.
While studying in Montreal, Harris witnessed various challenges faced by her friends, especially the abuse of a classmate, which gave her a strong sense of responsibility for the cause of protecting women and children.
College and early career
Harris later returned to the United States and enrolled at Howard University, where she participated in various social movements and internship opportunities and accumulated rich experience. After completing her studies, she began her legal career in 1990 as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County.
During Harris’ first court hearing, she created an important and profound moment that she later recorded in her memoir: “Kamala Harris, for the People.”
Remitting struggle and achievements
Harris' career prospered, from assistant prosecutor to San Francisco's attorney general, and she always adhered to her political philosophy. As Attorney General, she also worked hard to push for various legal reforms, particularly strategies on how to deal with drugs and violent crime.
She took the lead in establishing an environmental crimes unit and called for higher bail for gun-toting criminals, working to improve public safety. Harris has always prioritized the public interest as she pushed for these reforms.
Important social impact
Harris’ impact on the community extends beyond her career. She stood up to daunting political challenges and pushed for legal changes after important abuses. Her efforts have helped many communities regain confidence and hope in the face of fear and insecurity.
For example, in the face of the tragedy of Gwen Araujo in 2011, Harris not only took legal action, but also promoted the "Gwen Araujo Justice Act" to emphasize the importance of anti-discrimination and ensure that future cases will not be affected by social prejudice.
Transformation from girl to leader
Harris’s story tells us that any leader is not only the sum of his professional achievements, but also the crystallization of his early experiences and persistence of beliefs. She grew up in a multicultural environment, which not only shaped her resonance with society, but also gave her deeper empathy and insight when facing the challenges of public service.
When looking back on her own upbringing, Harris is amazed at how those unique experiences made her a staunch advocate for the underprivileged.
The lesson of moving from Auckland to Montreal tells us that no matter where we are, background and culture may become the cornerstone of a person's success. Can this cause us to rethink different growth backgrounds and multicultural exchanges?
