The Truths We Hold audiobook cover - An American Journey

The Truths We Hold

An American Journey

Kamala Harris

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PoliticsBiography & Memoir

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The Truths We Hold
Early Life & Influences+
Education & Career Choice+
Prosecutorial Philosophy+
District Attorney Reforms+
US Senate & Immigration+
Healthcare Vision+
National Security+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
Why did Kamala Harris decide to become a prosecutor despite her family's skepticism about the justice system?
  • A. She wanted to earn a high salary to support her family.
  • B. She was inspired by a television show about a famous district attorney.
  • C. She wanted to change the system from within and use the law to protect marginalized groups.
  • D. She wanted to eventually become a judge in the Supreme Court.
Question 2 of 8
What defining experience as an intern shaped Harris's understanding of the high stakes within the legal system?
  • A. She convinced a judge to return to court to release an innocent woman who risked losing her children.
  • B. She successfully prosecuted a high-profile gang leader.
  • C. She helped draft a new law for juvenile offenders.
  • D. She witnessed a corrupt police officer being brought to justice.
Question 3 of 8
What core principle guided Harris as she began her career as a prosecutor, reflected in her courtroom introduction 'Kamala Harris, for the people'?
  • A. Prosecutors must always seek the maximum possible sentence.
  • B. The people should have the right to vote on criminal sentences.
  • C. Every crime against an American is considered a crime against society as a whole.
  • D. Only victims of violent crimes deserve dedicated legal representation.
Question 4 of 8
What was the primary goal of Harris's 'Back on Track' program in San Francisco?
  • A. To increase the conviction rates for repeat drug offenders in San Francisco.
  • B. To provide financial compensation to victims of violent crimes.
  • C. To deport undocumented immigrants who had committed minor offenses.
  • D. To provide non-violent first-time offenders with job training and education instead of prison.
Question 5 of 8
According to Harris, what is a major negative consequence of aggressive deportation policies for all undocumented immigrants?
  • A. It causes a severe labor shortage in the agricultural sector.
  • B. It drastically increases the cost of border security and local policing.
  • C. It forces immigrants to retreat from society, making them too afraid to access medical care or report crimes.
  • D. It encourages more immigrants to cross the border illegally.
Question 6 of 8
What factor did Harris identify as drastically improving an asylum seeker's chances of winning their case in the US?
  • A. Having family members who are already US citizens.
  • B. Having legal representation during their proceedings.
  • C. Applying from their home country rather than at the border.
  • D. Proving they have a college degree or specialized skills.
Question 7 of 8
Based on her observations of the broken US medical system, what is Harris's proposed solution for healthcare?
  • A. Shifting to a single-payer system where taxation covers everyone's access to healthcare as a right.
  • B. Privatizing all hospitals to increase competition and lower costs.
  • C. Eliminating the National Institutes of Health to save taxpayer money.
  • D. Mandating that all employers provide private health insurance to their employees.
Question 8 of 8
Through her work on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, what did Harris conclude made Russian cyber operations so effective in 2016?
  • A. They hacked directly into voting machines in swing states.
  • B. They heavily funded third-party candidates to draw votes away from Hillary Clinton.
  • C. They bribed key officials in the US intelligence community.
  • D. They exploited America's existing vulnerabilities and divisions regarding issues like race, immigration, and LGBTQ rights.

The Truths We Hold — Full Chapter Overview

The Truths We Hold Summary & Overview

The Truths We Hold (2019) is an intimate self-portrait of one of the rising forces in contemporary American political life: Californian Senator and civil rights activist Kamala Harris. Combining the personal with the political, Harris sheds light on her early years as the daughter of immigrants, her legal career in the Golden State and the causes she has championed as an elected representative in Trump’s America.

Who Should Listen to The Truths We Hold?

  • Politics and history buffs
  • Anyone interested in the life and views of a potential presidential candidate
  • Legal professionals and civil rights activists

About the Author: Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is the vice president of the United States. A former US senator from California, she began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office before being elected District Attorney of San Francisco. As a politician, she has led campaigns to raise the minimum wage, cut the cost of higher education and protect the rights of immigrants. 

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