The atmosphere in the room is teemantalizing with excitement. People whisper to their seat neighbors as the lights dim. It’s 30 minutes after 2 pm, the scheduled time of the event’s start, and they’re *still* letting people in as the line curved around the block. I should know, I had to pass through it twice because there were problems with my ticket and Ticketmaster. In the end, I get in at what I think is the last minute, and hurry to my seat, way up high, almost the highest in the house, and worry I won’t be able to see her at all. But my view ends up being pretty good, for nosebleed seats!
As the theatre finally fills up to the brim, the chatter stops instantly. The applause is thunderous, a standing ovation and she hasn’t even come out on stage yet. When she finally does, I think the whole neighborhood can hear the applause and cheers, which don’t stop for a good 10 minutes, until the moderator says, “‘OK everyone, we are here to hear her talk now!”’
There she is. The moment, the legend, Kamala Harris! She instantly takes command of the room with grace and poise, handling the moderator’s questions as if it’s another debate she’s prepped months for, but this time with more personal anecdotes. First up, it’s the famous ‘fly’ incident with Mike Pence during their debate in 2020 for Vice President. Harris says, “We’re in our separate cubicles (because of COVID), and even after months of ‘debate camp,’ *nothing* can prepare you for that. I felt so bad for the guy, because how do you handle this fly around your head? ‘Debate camp’ drills you to the bone, but they don’t cover “that damn fly!’”
After this answer, it’s clear that some Trump supporters have made their way in to the front row (which you know, all the more money to Harris, so good job, guys), and of course, start heckling and booing her, which is countered by the rest of the audience’s cheers after “So, as I was *saying…” Harris shifts the conversation back on track, because we can’t laugh about a fly on a Republican candidate’s face, I suppose. It happens a second time after ‘You know Who’ (Again, see previous articles) is mentioned, and the moderator cuts in, “You know, we might learn a lot from Kamala if we actually were quiet while she’s talking.”
There are’s no more problems with hecklers after this, which is very satisfying. You bought the ticket, you listen to the lady, my dudes. Harris tells stories of when she met with “African kings, Latin American leaders, people from around the world,” said Harris. “To make sure our friendly relations with people from these countries and America have a good relationship in the future, especially now. What people from other countries see is down to each of us, individuals, and every one of us plays a part of that image.”
Harris was then asked about the prep time it took for her to write her new book ‘107 Days,’ which we all received a complimentary copy of. (Shout out to the amazingly kind audience member who gave me her copy, as they already, “‘Hhad one to share!’”) Harris says, “It took about the same time and momentum force that I had running my campaign, which is why the book is named as it is: I only had 107 days to make my campaign off the ground running. It takes you
from the start of my campaign until voting day, which we all know the ending of.” Harris has dedicated this book to her team, because, “They have been incredible, start to finish, and deserve the credit for a *lot* of hard trial and effort.”
The talk soon switches to audience participation, and the first audience pick is a young boy about 18 years old, his friends thrilled for him as he stands. His question is if he should move to Washington D.C, as he wants, “To attend college there for political pursuits, but the atmosphere is ‘pretty scary’ right now, and should he still do it?” Thunderous applause before Harris’ answer. “What you heard just now, from our audience, I want you to remember that as you go forward. Go to school, get that degree. We need more good people in the world of politics today.”
The show is sadly coming to an end, not before a final question, “How can we as individuals help the country be a better place to live in for our future?” ”Our future is now,” Harris replies to more applause. “Help your local polling center, sign up and volunteer to these incredible, overrun polling stations. Even one person showing up to help can make a huge difference. Another difference is not only the people who vote, but also those who don’t vote. One third of Americans didn’t vote in the last election. It all starts (and ends) with us.”
One last bit of advice from Kamala before the event ends:, “What you have to remember is that there’s always a light in you, even during the dark times. I’ve been in that darkness, but you still have to find that light, and you *can* do it. You *proved* you can do it by showing up here, today. But once isn’t enough. You have to keep finding that light, and keep igniting yours and others’. That light isn’t just for today.”
After walking to the nearest Dunkin in the freezing cold (I know, what a Massachusetts thing to do), I begin reading the book. It proves to be an insightful, intriguing read that will help bring the “‘light”’ not only to every audience member, but to others that we spread it to, not only to our communities, but around the world. And that is the true magic of Kamala Harris.