Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris is making history as the first Black woman to accept the nomination of a major political party for vice president.
“I accept your nomination for Vice President of the United States of America,” Harris said during her speech at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.
She continued, “I do so, committed to the values she taught me. To the Word that teaches me to walk by faith, and not by sight. And to a vision passed on through generations of Americans—one that Joe Biden shares. A vision of our nation as a Beloved Community—where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love.”
Harris slammed President Donald Trump over what she said is his failed leadership amid the COVID-19 pandemic, “Donald Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods.”
She also addressed the fact that virus has hit minority communities particularly hard, “This is not a coincidence. It is the effect of structural racism.”
But, she said Americans have a chance to make a change and solve many of the issues plaguing the country, “We’re at an inflection point. The constant chaos leaves us adrift. The incompetence makes us feel afraid. The callousness makes us feel alone.”
“We must elect a president who will bring something different, something better, and do the important work. A president who will bring all of us together—Black, White, Latino, Asian, Indigenous—to achieve the future we collectively want. We must elect Joe Biden,” she said.
She admitted that “the road ahead will not be not easy. We will stumble. We may fall short.”
“But I pledge to you that we will act boldly and deal with our challenges honestly. We will speak truths. And we will act with the same faith in you that we ask you to place in us,” she added.
Watch Harris’ remarks below:
Harris went on to express her belief that a change is taking place in America, “People of all ages and colors and creeds who are, yes, taking to the streets, and also persuading our family members, rallying our friends, organizing our neighbors, and getting out the vote.”
“And we’ve shown that, when we vote, we expand access to health care, expand access to the ballot box, and ensure that more working families can make a decent living,” she said.
She said she is inspired by those who have taken to the streets who are “pushing us to realize the ideals of our nation, pushing us to live the values we share: decency and fairness, justice and love.”
“You are the patriots who remind us that to love our country is to fight for the ideals of our country. In this election, we have a chance to change the course of history. We’re all in this fight.”
Finally, she said, “Let’s fight with conviction. Let’s fight with hope. Let’s fight with confidence in ourselves, and a commitment to each other. To the America we know is possible. The America, we love.”