The Truths We Hold: An American Journey

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses racism, rape and sexual assault, anti-gay bias, anti-trans bias, substance use disorder, and violence.

The preface recounts the events of November 8, 2016, which was both the culmination of Kamala Harris’s campaign for the United States Senate and the day of the presidential election. Harris describes the initial optimism surrounding her campaign, followed by the growing realization that the presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was taking an unexpected turn.

Harris details her election night experience, starting with a family dinner at which the mood shifted from celebratory to anxious as early presidential results came in. Harris recalls her young godson, Alexander, expressing fear that Trump would win the presidential race. Harris responded to Alexander using a superhero analogy, telling him that the best superheroes “fight back” against villains and that they embrace their big emotions as they do so.

Despite the tense national atmosphere, Harris won her Senate race, becoming the first Black woman from her state and the second in US history to be elected to the Senate. She describes addressing her supporters at her election night event and deviating from her prepared speech due to the changing circumstances of the presidential election.