Former Vice President Kamala Harris received the prestigious Chairman’s Award from the NAACP during their Image Awards ceremony broadcast on BET, despite facing significant electoral setbacks in recent months. The recognition comes in the wake of Harris’s second unsuccessful presidential campaign, raising questions about the timing and merit of the honor.
The award, presented to Harris for her purported dedication to equality, justice, and progress, stands in stark contrast to her controversial tenure as California’s attorney general and San Francisco’s district attorney. During her time in these roles, Harris oversaw the prosecution of numerous African Americans for minor offenses, including approximately 2,000 marijuana possession convictions. This record became particularly contentious after she later admitted to her own marijuana use during an appearance on The Breakfast Club.
During her acceptance speech, Harris focused largely on criticizing her former electoral opponent, President Donald Trump, who defeated her in the 2024 presidential race. She employed metaphorical language, speaking of “flames on our horizons” and “rising waters in our cities,” while emphasizing collective action and community organizing as solutions to current challenges.
“The American story will be written by you. Written by us. By we the people,” Harris declared during her address. She continued with a message reminiscent of her campaign rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of mobilization, education, and advocacy in facing current challenges.
However, the enthusiastic reception at the NAACP Image Awards appears disconnected from broader public sentiment toward Harris. Her political career has been marked by significant setbacks, including her early withdrawal from the 2020 Democratic presidential primary before any votes were cast. Her most recent defeat came after assuming the nomination following former President Joe Biden’s departure from the race.
Public opinion data further underscores this disconnect. As of January 20, 2025, Harris maintained a substantial disapproval rating of 52.7 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling aggregates. This negative perception persisted throughout her vice presidency and subsequent presidential campaign.
The award presentation has sparked debate about its timing and motivation, coming so soon after Harris’s decisive electoral defeat. Her speech, while well-received by the audience present at the ceremony, largely rehashed familiar campaign themes and relied heavily on abstract metaphors rather than concrete accomplishments.
The contrast between Harris’s prosecutorial record and her current positioning as a champion of justice and equality has not gone unnoticed by observers. Her role in enforcing strict drug laws, particularly affecting communities of color, while later admitting to personal marijuana use, remains a point of criticism.
Despite these contradictions, Harris used her acceptance speech to position herself as a leader in the ongoing struggle for social justice and democratic values. “Our power has never come from having an easy path,” she stated, emphasizing the need for continued collective action in the face of current challenges.
The ceremony highlighted the complex relationship between political figures and institutional recognition, particularly when such honors are bestowed during periods of diminished public support or in the aftermath of electoral defeat. While the NAACP celebrated Harris’s contributions, questions remain about the alignment between such recognition and her actual record of public service.