Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
Hundreds of people gathered at Dudley High School (DHS) on July 11 to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris as she campaigns for the Biden Harris ticket in the 2024 General Election.
“This is such an exciting day,” said Sandra Rosebourough, a 1963 graduate of Dudley. “To be here at the high school that I graduated from some 60 years ago, to hear from our first African American woman vice president, is amazing.”
Vice President Harris was welcomed to the stage by the DHS marching band, majorette dancers and cheerleaders. This marked Harris’ sixth trip to North Carolina this year and 14th visit since taking office. She was last in Greensboro in September 2023, where she visited North Carolina A&T State University on her “Fight for Our Freedoms” College Tour.
Local dignitaries were also on hand to give opening remarks at the rally.
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan lauded the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to reduce the price of insulin, create jobs, and protect women’s reproductive health.
“Vice President Harris and President Joe Biden created jobs right here in Greensboro. This is lifesaving for many people. The president is fighting to protect women’s reproductive health, building on clean water and clean energy.”
Deputy Minority Leader District 28 Senator Gladys Robinson discussed how Donald Trump’s presidency increased unemployment.
“We must deliver for them. President Biden and Vice President Harris have sent nearly 1 million jobs to our state. We’ve seen Black entrepreneurship grow. Donald Trump’s presidency resulted in massive job losses. He talks about something called ‘Black jobs.’ What are those? Donald Trump isn’t right for working families and he’s not right for North Carolina,” said Robinson.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper noted that he has known Vice President Harris for more than 12 years, since she was the state attorney general in California, and he believes in her ability to fight for the country.
“North Carolina welcomes Vice President Kamala Harris back to Greensboro. It’s fitting we welcome her right here at historic Dudley High School because she knows something about blazing trails and shattering barriers just like so many graduates of this amazing school have done. This election is about what kind of country we want to be. When the fate of our country hangs in the balance, it’s going to take all of us.”
Cooper called Trump a “significant threat” to democracy.
“Donald Trump’s America is where the wealthy get the breaks, and the working families get the shaft. Do we want Donald Trump’s America? Donald Trump’s America is where the end of Roe v. Wade is a ‘great thing’ and politicians police women’s bodies. Donald Trump’s America is where the president is a convicted felon, the chronic liar and the king of chaos. Do we want Donald Trump’s America? Donald Trump’s America is where the president incites an angry mob to burn down our democracy and then calls them patriots,” said Cooper.
Mister Dudley High (2024) Devin Mims introduced Harris to the stage, noting that although he isn’t of voting age yet, he will turn 18 before election day and intends to cast his first vote for the Biden-Harris ticket.
“When I go into the voting booth, I’ll remember that Harris and Biden are the only candidates that are for the people of North Carolina,” said Mims.
Harris opened her remarks by talking about the historic significance of being at Dudley High School, a historically Black high school in Greensboro, which has a rich history of fighting for civil rights and against injustice.
“It is good to be here with all the leaders of this incredible community and the leaders who have always been here on the front lines in the fight for civil rights. This is an historic place,” she stated, recounting her connection to civil rights through her parents’ work.
“They took me to those marches when I was in a stroller. I grew up in a community of people who, when we were young, they told us, literally, ‘You are young, gifted, and Black,’ she said adding, “They taught us that we could do anything and should never be burdened by the limitations of other people to be able or not be able to see what can be. And this is that community who understands and can see what is possible, unburdened by what has been.”
With 117 days remaining until voting begins, Harris acknowledged some of the rhetoric surrounding President Biden’s age and concerns over whether he is still healthy enough to see the campaign to the end.
“One thing we know about our president is that he’s a fighter. We will continue to fight, we will continue to organize, and, in November, we will win. In the election, there can be no doubt who fights for you. It’s simple. President Biden and I fight for the American people; Donald Trump does not. He fights for himself,” said Harris.
She then touched on Trump’s 60 attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. “Access to healthcare should be a right and not just a privilege for those who can afford it,” said Haris.
She reiterated some of the other things that the Biden administration has been focused on for the people, such as lowering drug prescription costs, stopping medical debt from being used against one’s credit score, relieving student debt for five million Americans, and reducing gun violence.
“Gun violence is the number one killer of children in America. We passed the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years ─ a bipartisan law to strengthen background checks. We created the first White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which I lead,” she said.
Harris also discussed Project 2025, a controversial collection of proposals by the Heritage Foundation for a potential Trump second presidency, which includes cutting Social Security, repealing the insulin cost cap, eliminating the Department of Education, and banning abortion nationwide.
“One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do with her body. If implemented, Project 2025 would be the latest attempt in Donald Trump’s full-on assault on reproductive freedom. Now, in the South, where the majority of Black women live, every state except for Virginia has a ban, many with no exceptions even for rape or incest,” said Harris.
She concluded her remarks by asking the people to ask themselves a tough question.
“Ultimately, in this election, we face the question: what kind of country do we want to live in? We each have the power to answer that. Our last line of defense is the ballot box. We, the people, have the power.”
At the end of the rally, Harris took a few moments to shake hands and take pictures with audience members before leaving.
