How busing, school desegregation shaped Kamala Harris’s views of race

Senator Kamala Harris's views on race and equality were largely influenced by her experiences with busing and school desegregation. Both personally and politically, these experiences have shaped her beliefs and actions. As a child in the 1960s and '70s, Harris was part of the second class to integrate her public schools in Berkeley, California. Her mother, a civil rights activist, wanted her daughters to be part of this monumental shift in education. As Harris has stated, "There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day. That little girl was me." This experience, she says, gave birth to her commitment to fight for systemic change. Later, as a senator and presidential candidate, Harris has made educational equity a significant part of her official platform. She’s called out the Education Secretary for not knowing the history of school desegregation and busing, and criticized current segregation in American schools. Harris's experience with busing and school desegregation has also influenced her stances on housing discrimination and criminal justice reform. She argues that addressing inequalities in education is not enough, but must be coupled with tackling disparities in housing, healthcare, and the criminal justice system. Moreover, she has emphasized that individuals should not be confined to their zip codes for school, housing, or future prospects. Her personal experience with school desegregation showed her the power of policies that broaden opportunities for everyone,