The room was colorful, vibrant. Not just the pink, green, red, white, brown and black. But the women, and a few men, wore smiles that shined through the dimly lit room. There was an air of celebration, hope and family in the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 15. It greeted the 49th vice president of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, who, too, was all smiles as she entered the stage to Victoria Monet’s “On My Mama.”
Local interior designer and HGTV star Carmeon Hamilton, who would serve as the moderator for the event dubbed “A Conversation with Kamala Harris.” The backdrop: a picture of the cover of Harris’ book, “107 Days,” referencing the length of time she campaigned for the presidency in 2024, which she refers to as the shortest campaign in history.
“Good evening, Memphis!” Harris called out to a standing and squalling crowd.
“Happy Founders Day and Happy Dr. King’s Birthday,” she said. Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in the crowd appropriately responded with shrill “skeeee weeees” as the huge crowd finally took their seats.
A poised but clearly excited Hamilton opened with her first question, acknowledging the loss of both of their mothers due to cancer, asking Harris how she takes care of herself after loss and deals with the inevitable grief that results.
Harris shared sentiments about grief, including that it comes in waves; it’s a physical, emotional and spiritual experience. She also shared a story from her time caring for her mother prior to her death.
“The doctor said, ‘Has anyone talked to you about anticipatory grief?’ I found it’s the grief that you experience anticipating a loss that hasn’t occurred yet,” said Harris, intimating there are several forms of grief, as well.
“Time is one of the most effective ways of dulling the pain … the passage of time,” she said, before mentioning that Tyre Nichols’ parents were there. “Last time I was here, I was at his funeral.”
“But with loss it’s important to surround yourself with community,” Harris said. Community. It was the first time she said the word that would become a uniting thread throughout the night.
Hamilton mentioned that when she experienced the tragic loss of her husband several years prior, community sustained her through that loss.
But as the great prophet, Frankie Beverly said, life is about joy and pain. Hamilton’s next question focused on just that.
“With what we are witnessing in the world right now, how do we avoid feeling guilty for experiencing joy?” said Hamilton.
“They can co-exist,” said Harris, before sharing a story about how her parents met during the Civil Right Movement. Harris, who toured the National Civil Rights Museum earlier in the day, said one of the things we have to remember is that we always found time to sing and dance even during the struggle.
“We experience laughter and joy and love. We can’t get through the struggle without also knowing the joy. We don’t overcome the pain if we don’t have the ability to see the light in each other,” said Harris.
Community was suggested again. How do we build it?
Harris says it starts with each of us knowing our power.
“In moments like this, forces are trying to suggest we are without power, trying to divide us, make us believe we are alone …
“It starts with not allowing a situation, individual, circumstance or election take your power away from you — never let ANYONE take your power from you!
“The smallest gesture to help your neighbor will show your strength. It’s not based on who we beat down but who we lift up!” said Harris.
She went on to encourage the crowd to support the work local nonprofits are doing, get people signed up to vote NOW rather than later, especially for local elections, volunteer and give, even though things might be tight for everyone right now.
Prior to the Memphis stop, Harris’ southern leg of her tour took her to New Orleans Tuesday and Jackson, Miss., the day before Memphis. In Jackson, she had an experience that reminded her of how we need to “see” people.
Harris accompanied a single mother of three to the grocery store, where she would spend a weekly budget of $150. By the time they were checking out, Harris asked the mom, “What’s in there for you?” and the mother became emotional.
“In our country right now, are we doing that for each other? How can we show that we SEE each other and remind people they are not alone?” said Harris.
This rich conversation went on to cover other topics like not allowing the normalization of what’s happening with our government, speaking and teaching history to our children, expecting something for our vote, not being passive when it comes to injustice and not being distracted when it comes to the corruption that’s happening.
Harris perched on Gen Z for a bit, suggesting we remind them of how powerful their vote is, as they are now greater in number than the Baby Boomers and recognizing them as the “Sandwich Generation,” who are taking care of young children and aging parents.
“We have failed these parents. We need affordable childcare,” said Harris.
One of Hamilton’s last questions was about Harris’ thoughts on decorum.
“Presidents should conduct themselves in a way that garners respect … and we don’t have that with this current administration. We have one that is callous, corrupt and incompetent,” Harris said.
“We have a duty to uphold our nation’s standards of dignity and respect. We shouldn’t compromise.”
Harris fielded a few questions from the crowd, to which her answers focused on making sure our children know how special they are, walking a mile in others’ shoes to see their perspective and rallying around those who are struggling, helping any way we can, not just around the holidays but accepting our dutiful responsibility to community everyday.
Harris closed with these last sentiments: “Let’s try to experience the light, those moments that give you happiness and joy. Let’s get out there in the fight to make things better.”
And with that, Harris walked off the stage to Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.”
Does Higher Ground mean Kamala Harris for president in 2028? Only time will tell …
