Rep. Jahana Hayes, 1st black woman elected to Congress from CT endorses Kamala Harris

[DesertRat]

JAHANA HAYES, WHO REPRESENTS CONNECTICUT’S 5TH DISTRICT IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WRITES ABOUT WHY SHE’S ENDORSING KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT.

During last week’s debate, we watched all the Democratic candidates for President discuss their hopes and plans for our country. We watched all the candidates take on the issues that everyday people are facing. And, we watched as one candidate in particular had the courage to ask the tough questions and demonstrate the strength to handle difficult situations. We watched Kamala Harris remind us of how policy directly affects people.

As a mother and a teacher, Senator Harris’ powerful recount of being part of the second class to be integrated in Berkeley was a defining moment for me. In that moment, I knew exactly what she was talking about–she was talking about access to opportunity that would otherwise change the trajectory of her life. That resonated with me. That was me.

While my journey to Congress from the classroom is not the same as Senator Harris, mine could not have happened without others holding the doors of access open for me. With all of the obstacles I faced in my life, I had to rely on a government that worked—and I am proof that good government works. Like Kamala, I am proof that access to opportunity makes a life changing difference for Americans.

Court-ordered desegregation was never just about making classrooms diverse – it was about access to resources for millions of children around the country who deserved a fair shot at opportunity. This is so much bigger than that one incident. The doors that opened for Kamala to board that school bus each morning were a symbol of the doors that she would be able to open later: becoming the first Black woman District Attorney in California, the first Black woman California Attorney General, and the second Black woman elected to the United States Senate. We should be compelled to hold the same doors open for others.

Informed by her upbringing, Kamala has presented a policy agenda focused on increasing access for ALL Americans, lifting families up to ensure no child has to be told that something is not possible.

When Kamala proposes the biggest federal investment to give teachers a raise, she understands that the teachers who are investing in our children nearly every day should be focused on just that — not devoting their time and energy to a second job. Her RENT Relief act to give millions of families a tax credit for rent is critical so no family has to choose between paying the rent or putting food on the table. Even her campaign is focused on including everyone in the political process. Weeks ago she launched an HBCU constituency program to organize on those campuses. She is also offering paid fellowships to lower the barrier of entry into politics and allow for everyone interested to gain the access, gain the skills and gain the incentive to take political action now and in the future.

Kamala Harris is the perfect antidote to our current President’s false narratives. With her intellect, strength and empathy at the helm, we can work to be better together. Senator Harris has laid out a powerful and bold vision for this country that is inclusive of everyone’s lived experience and grounded in the belief that success should not be defined by race, gender, socioeconomic status or zip code.

https://www.essence.com/op-ed/jahana-hayes-endorses-kamala-harris-president/

[NewJeffCT]

1. My rep

she was elected the same night as Ayanna Presley from Mass, so both are the first black women from New England.

However, Hayes does not yet support opening an impeachment inquiry/hearings.

[quickesst]

2. On the other hand....

Carol Moseley Braun slams Harris’ debate tactics: She "got it wrong" about Biden

Democratic presidential Kamala Harris has come under scrutiny after she confronted former Vice President Joe Biden over the issue of race at the second Democratic primary debate last week.

Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, D-Ill., the first black woman to serve in the Senate, called the California Democrat's decision to attack Biden over his past civil rights record "sad."



https://www.salon.com/2019/07/01/first-black-female-senator-slams-harris-debate-tactics-her-ambition-got-it-wrong-about-joe-biden/

[StarfishSaver]

3. Did you really just try to cancel out one black woman's support for another black woman by bringing

up criticism of the second black woman by a third black woman?

Would you counter a white congressman's endorsement of a white male senator by pointing to the comment of a white former senator?

You might want to do some self-reflection about this.

[Politicub]

4. That's what it looks like to me, too.

[mcar]

6. Uh huh

[SunsetDreams2]

7. It's definitely not a good look nt

[quickesst]

9. I am pointing out....

.... a more prominent former senators opinion about the Harris Biden controversy. Some self-reflection may be in order, but it's not by me.

[StarfishSaver]

10. Why did you pick Carol Moseley Braun, a former senator no one has heard from in years?

and given that Moseley Braun has not been in the public spotlight for more than a decade, it's debatable whether she's more "prominent" than a sitting Congresswoman. Surely there are many people just as or even more prominent than Moseley Braun you could have cited.

As I said, a little self-reflection on your part may be helpful here.

[Skya Rhen]

12. Carol Moseley Braun was the very first AA female Senator. She is an icon that is highly respected,

especially in the AA community. Her prominence is unquestionable.

[StarfishSaver]

14. What does that have to do with Jahana Hayes' endorsement?

Last edited Wed Jul 3, 2019, 04:12 PM - Edit history (1)

And since Moseley Braun is, in your view "an icon that is highly respected,
especially in the AA community. Her prominence is unquestionable," can you point to any instance in, say, the last year she has been quoted or cited about any other political candidate or issue?

How often has her name come up on DU in the last 10 years? I did a search and couldn't find any mentions of her.

But, now, all of a sudden this week, when Moseley Braun criticized a black female senator, her opinion is elevated above all else?

Sorry. We can see through that.

I'll say for the third time, some self-reflection is warranted

[PunkinPi]

17. *Jahana Hayes endorsement ;)

[StarfishSaver]

20. Thanks - brain freeze!

[quickesst]

15. Let me explain something to you

As a Biden supporter, I did a search on prominent people who would speak for Joe Biden. It was the first one I came to and I was impressed. That's why I chose her. No doubt I will be looking for other name supporters for Joe Biden, but the one thing I will not do is make sure they are all black. When Carol Moseley Braun was a senator she served with honor and distinction, so the notion that her opinions and words are less worthy simply because she has been, as you have stated, "out of the spotlight" is not a good look.
Another thing, when I posted I had zero idea that you were black, so the idea that I posted what I did to personally offend you because of the color of your skin is ridiculous.

"it's debatable whether she's more "prominent" than a sitting Congresswoman"

Your own words confirm the validity of her opinion. The self-reflection ball is now back in your court.

[StarfishSaver]

16. Thank you for the 'splanation

I'll give it the consideration it merits.

[quickesst]

19. No, thank you for your kindness

I understand why you replied to me as you did in your first post. I think it may behoove me to pay more attention to member profiles so as to avoid any further confusion.

[tonedevil]

21. No one would expect any self-reflection from you. /nt

[quickesst]

36. I'm at a loss here

I do not have a clue as to the intent of your post. Could you please clarify a little bit. Thanks

[tonedevil]

37. While you are telling someone else...

to self-reflect, I don't find evidence in your posts of much self-reflection.

[quickesst]

38. I think you need to re-read the exchange you are referring to

I thought it came to a rather amiable conclusion. it seems to me you are trying to fuel a fire that has already been extinguished. Perhaps a little self-reflection is in order.

[tonedevil]

39. Your rapier like wit...

it has slayed me.

[quickesst]

40. ******

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Since white male Senators are the most common kind, people do that frequently.

I think your example doesn't mean what you think it means.

I think you were clumsily trying to remark on the prominent mention of "black" in the OP. To make your example make sense you would have to alter it to make explicit that the hypothetical poster would make prominent mention of "white". As it stands it makes no sense.

Suppose for example Matt Gaetz endorsed Lindsey Graham and Joe Biden objected. All white, but usually there would be no mention of skin color.

[StarfishSaver]

13. Do you have examples of people responding to a white congressman's endorsement of a white senator

by saying, "On the other hand, white former Senator so and so said something negative about him"?

Since "people do that frequently," you shouldn't have any trouble citing a couple of examples.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

23. Read my post again. I chose my words carefully & structured the sentences carefully.

I am so close to your position that you can't see me because you are looking for a forest.

[StarfishSaver]

28. Bad analogy

A more apt comparison would be if Matt Gaetz endorsed Lindsey Graham and someone injected the fact that Scott Brown had criticized Graham into the discussion.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

34. Yes, you pose a better example. . . . nt

[revmclaren]

25. Actually, the former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun

post was posted Monday by Curky . Check out the day posted...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287183822

Maybe you should rethink your statement since to me, it seems that THIS post is trying to cancel out Braun's support. IMHO of course.



ONLY!!! 2019 and beyond.

[sheshe2]

26. Sure looks like it. nt

[mcar]

5. K&R!

[SunsetDreams2]

8. K&R nt

[PunkinPi]

18. K&R

[FailureToCommunicate]

22. All good news.

[Indygram]

24. Never heard of her

Guess she's not too well known or high profile.

[StarfishSaver]

27. Because if YOU haven't heard of her ...

[DesertRat]

29. Exactly!

Last edited Wed Jul 3, 2019, 06:29 PM - Edit history (1)

But for those who haven't heard of her, there's always google.

[sheshe2]

30. She was elected during the Blue Wave.

I have read a lot about her here on DU. She is a member of one the most diverse groups to have ever been elected. I watched all the races closely.

Have you heard of Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland?

First Native American congresswomen hug after swearing-in

Washington (CNN)The first two Native American women elected to Congress hugged on the House floor Thursday after being officially sworn in.

Democratic Reps. Deb Haaland of New Mexico and Sharice Davids of Kansas shared the tender moment just before new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the House to order to congratulate all the new members of Congress. Haaland appeared to wipe away tears.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/03/politics/first-native-congresswomen-hug/index.html

Fact is she is high profile to her constituents as are Sharice and Deb. They don't need to be on the news cycle around the clock to be an effective congresswoman. Their constituents know who they voted for.

Trust me, you will be hearing a lot more from them. They are newbies and with heads down they are learning their jobs and their #1 job now, is their constituents.

[DesertRat]

31. Rep. Hayes is a U.S. Congresswoman from District 5 in CT, elected last Nov.

She posted her week's schedule on Twitter. It looks like she's doing her "high profile" job for her constituents.

@RepJahanaHayes
Where does the time go?
A week in the life of your Rep:
Co-sponsored 10 bills
Key appropriations votes
Committee hearings
Keynote Speeches
Community meetings
Legislative meetings
Greeting constituents
Bi-partisan baseball!!

Link to tweet

[Indygram]

32. meh, still never heard of her

looks kinda average to me.

[DesertRat]

33. You actually have heard of her since you read the post

and made a judgement about her.

[StarfishSaver]

35. She's one of fewer than 500 people elected to the House last November

Hardly "kinda average."

[Kaleva]

41. Reaping benefits from her debate performance.

[DesertRat]

42. Exactly!