56 pages • 1 hour read
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey
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Chapters 3-5Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 3 Summary: “Underwater”
Chapter 3 focuses on Harris’s experiences during the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath, particularly her efforts as California Attorney General to hold banks accountable and provide relief to homeowners.
The chapter begins with Harris reflecting on her childhood and her mother’s desire to become a homeowner, emblematic of the American dream. She then describes her visit to Fresno, California in 2010, where she witnessed the devastating effects of the foreclosure crisis firsthand. She provides context for the crisis, explaining how low interest rates and aggressive lending practices led to a housing bubble and subsequent crash, and details the human toll of the crisis, including abandoned homes, displaced families, and even abandoned pets.
The narrative then shifts to Harris’s campaign for California Attorney General in 2010. It was a close election, not decided until weeks after election day, and Harris describes the emotional roller coaster of the extended vote count and her narrow victory. During this tense period, her opponent prematurely declared victory while votes were still being counted, adding to the uncertainty and drama of the extended electoral process.
Upon taking office in January 2011, Harris immediately focused on the foreclosure crisis, joining a multi-state investigation into bank practices. However, she quickly became dissatisfied with the proposed settlement, feeling it was inadequate and would grant banks immunity without a thorough investigation. Harris uncovered two major issues: robo-signing and dual tracking. Robo-signing involved bank employees approving foreclosure documents without proper review, often forging signatures or approving unfamiliar documents, leading to illegal foreclosures. Dual tracking was a deceptive practice where banks simultaneously worked with borrowers to modify loan terms while proceeding with foreclosure, often resulting in homes being foreclosed on even after homeowners had been making payments on modified loans. These practices became the focus of Harris’s efforts to hold banks accountable and secure a more favorable settlement for California homeowners. She decided to pull California out of the settlement negotiations and launch an investigation through the California Attorney General’s Mortgage Fraud Strike Force. This move put her at odds with other state attorneys general and federal officials but allowed her to pursue a more aggressive approach.
The chapter details Harris’s tense negotiations with bank representatives, including a confrontational meeting where she pushed back when they downplayed the harm caused by their actions. She also recounts a heated phone call with Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, when she stood her ground on California’s demands, and how her persistence led to a significantly larger settlement for California homeowners—$18 billion instead of the initially proposed $2-4 billion. The chapter emphasizes the importance of this victory while acknowledging that many people lost their homes despite the settlement.
Following the settlement, Harris worked to pass the California Homeowner Bill of Rights to make the settlement’s protections permanent. She describes the challenges of overcoming bank lobbying efforts, and the strategic maneuvering required to secure state legislature votes. Harris details her collaboration with Assembly Speaker John Perez, her efforts to persuade legislators through personal meetings, and mobilizing labor unions to pressure lawmakers, leading to a dramatic floor vote where the bill passed despite initial predictions of failure. Harris’s Mortgage Fraud Strike Force went on to successfully prosecute major mortgage scams, securing additional settlements that totaled over $1.5 billion in reimbursements for California’s state pension system, in addition to the initial $18 billion settlement.
The chapter concludes with Harris reflecting on the ongoing impact of the financial crisis, particularly its disproportionate effect on Black families. Harris cites specific statistics to note that by 2031, the typical Black family's median wealth is projected to be almost $98,000 lower than it would have been without the Great Recession, underscoring the long-term consequences of the crisis (107). She emphasizes the financial crisis’s human cost and the importance of holding financial institutions accountable. She notes that despite reforms, major banks have invested billions in subprime loans by funneling money to non-bank financial institutions, known as shadow banks. She is concerned that this practice allows banks to remain involved with risky loans while claiming to have distanced themselves, potentially setting the stage for financial instability. Harris calls for vigilance to prevent future crises.
Chapter 4 Summary: “Wedding Bells”
Chapter 4 begins with Harris reflecting on visiting high courts in various countries, emphasizing the symbolic importance of these institutions in representing justice and democracy. She describes the architecture and design of courts in New Delhi, Jerusalem, and Washington D.C., noting how they embody the principles of justice and equality.
Harris describes her experience attending the Supreme Court hearing for the Hollingsworth v. Perry case in 2013, which challenged California’s Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage. Harris outlines the tumultuous history of marriage equality in California, beginning with the passage of Proposition 22 in 2000, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman. She recalls her involvement in performing gay marriages as San Francisco District Attorney in 2004, noting the joy and anticipation of couples who had waited decades to marry, and highlights the emotional rollercoaster these couples experienced when their marriages were later invalidated. A brief period of legalization followed a California Supreme Court decision in 2008 before Proposition 8 passed later that year, once again banning gay marriage.
Harris explains the legal challenge to Proposition 8 in federal court, focusing on the concept of standing—the right to bring a case before the court. As Attorney General, she refused to defend Proposition 8, believing it violated constitutional rights. Harris recounts the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision to dismiss the case due to lack of standing, effectively reinstating gay marriage in California and details her immediate actions following the ruling, including her public call for the Ninth Circuit Court to lift its stay quickly. Harris also shares an anecdote in which she directly instructed a hesitant Los Angeles clerk to begin issuing marriage licenses immediately.
The narrative then shifts to Harris’s efforts as California Attorney General to address elementary school truancy, a focus she had maintained since her time as District Attorney. She cites research showing the critical importance of third-grade reading proficiency and the strong correlation between high school dropouts and incarceration rates. Harris describes implementing a truancy reduction initiative in San Francisco that reduced elementary school truancy by 23% by 2009 (123). As Attorney General, she expanded this effort statewide, revealing that nearly a million California elementary school students were truant, with some schools having truancy rates over 90%. Harris emphasizes that her goal was not to criminalize parents but to connect them with resources to help get their children back in school. She details the complex circumstances leading to truancy, such as single parents working multiple jobs without sick leave or childcare options, illustrating the need for comprehensive support systems rather than punitive measures.
The chapter then transitions to Harris’s personal life, recounting how she met her husband, Doug Emhoff, through a mutual friend. Harris describes their initial text exchanges and phone calls, leading to their first date at a Los Angeles Lakers game. She shares the story of Doug’s impromptu proposal in her apartment, abandoning his original plan to propose in Florence. Harris also discusses becoming a stepmother to Doug's children, Cole and Ella, detailing her careful approach to meeting them and their decision to call her “Mamala” instead of stepmom. She describes establishing the tradition of Sunday family dinners with Doug, Cole, and Ella.
Harris then recounts the pivotal moment when she was offered the position of US Attorney General by Eric Holder. She describes her decision-making process, including discussions with friends and family, and her realization that she wanted to continue her work as California Attorney General. Harris reflects on the various initiatives she was pursuing, including combatting human trafficking, banning the “gay and trans panic” defense, establishing a Bureau of Children’s Justice, increasing transparency in crime data, and holding corporations accountable for predatory practices. She emphasizes the importance of making career decisions based on the ability to effect meaningful change rather than pursuing titles or prestige. The chapter concludes with Harris reaffirming her dedication to her role as California Attorney General.
Chapter 5 Summary: “I Say We Fight”
Harris recalls the 1992 election of Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein as California’s first female Senators, a milestone in the “Year of the Women” that inspired her as a young prosecutor. The chapter then transitions to 2015, when Senator Boxer announced her retirement, prompting Harris to consider running for the vacant Senate seat.
Harris describes her decision-making process and the subsequent campaign, which involved extensive travel and interactions with diverse constituents. She mentions the challenges faced by her husband, Doug, who was new to the scrutiny of political campaigns. She also notes the contrast between her Senate race and the concurrent divisive and inflammatory 2016 presidential campaign.
Harris recounts her visit to a Los Angeles immigrant rights organization in the aftermath of the 2016 election, where she addressed concerns about potential deportations and family separations. She reflects on the American immigrant experience, drawing parallels to her own family’s history and the discrimination her mother faced. Harris discusses the historical context of anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States, from the Know-Nothing Party of the 1850s to more recent scapegoating during economic downturns, while also highlighting the significant contributions of immigrants to American society and economy.
Harris details her transition to the Senate, including the orientation process, setting up her office, and the challenges of balancing her new role with family life. She emphasizes her commitment to hiring a diverse staff and maintaining family connections despite the demands of her position. Harris describes her early days in the Senate, including her participation in confirmation hearings for Trump administration nominees. She recounts her questioning of General John Kelly during his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Homeland Security, particularly regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and immigration enforcement policies. Kelly consistently avoided direct answers to her questions about protecting DACA recipients and their families, and his evasive responses and refusal to commit to existing protections led Harris to conclude that Kelly was unprepared to uphold the nation’s promises to DACA recipients. She voted against his confirmation and urged her colleagues to do the same, reasoning that his lack of preparedness and commitment made him unsuitable for the role. Harris also observed that Kelly’s responses indicated a lack of awareness about the potential negative impacts of indiscriminate immigration enforcement on community safety and crime reporting.
Harris then discusses the 2017 presidential inauguration and the subsequent Women’s March, where she spoke. The diverse coalition of participants, including people of all ages, races, and backgrounds, and the energy of the event, was a direct response to the new administration’s policies. In her speech, Harris emphasized that women’s issues encompass a broad range of concerns including the economy, national security, healthcare, and climate change.
The chapter concludes with Harris’s account of the travel ban implemented in early 2017, which affected several Muslim-majority countries. She describes her efforts to gather information about the ban’s implementation, including a frustrating phone call with Secretary Kelly, and her introduction of the Access to Counsel Act in response, which aimed to ensure legal representation for those detained at US ports of entry. Harris also mentions the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, which she views as a setback for progressive causes, noting how it shifted the balance of power on the Court back to conservative justices.
Chapters 3-5 Analysis
A key theme in these chapters is Compassion in Law Enforcement. Harris consistently emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in her approach to criminal justice. This is particularly evident in her handling of the foreclosure crisis as Attorney General of California. She writes, “Foreclosure is not a statistic. Foreclosure is a husband suffering in silence, knowing he’s in trouble, but too ashamed to tell his partner that he has failed” (79). This perspective demonstrates Harris’s commitment to seeing the human impact behind legal and economic issues. Rather than viewing homeowners facing foreclosure as statistics, Harris sought to understand their circumstances and provide tailored support. She recognized that many families were victims of predatory lending practices and economic factors beyond their control, and this compassionate approach led her to negotiate a more favorable settlement with banks and implement programs to assist struggling homeowners.
Another significant theme is The Pragmatic Pursuit of Idealistic Goals. Throughout these chapters, Harris demonstrates a commitment to progressive ideals tempered by a pragmatic understanding of political realities. This is exemplified in her decision to run for the US Senate rather than accept the position of US Attorney General. While the latter role was prestigious, Harris recognized that she could have a more substantial impact on issues she cared about by remaining in her position as California’s Attorney General and then transitioning to the Senate: “What mattered to me was the work. And when it came to the work that mattered most, I wasn’t finished yet” (139). This decision reflects her ability to balance idealistic goals with practical considerations of where she could be most effective.
The theme of Changing the System From Within is also prominent. Harris repeatedly emphasizes her belief in working within existing institutions to effect change, evident in her efforts to reform the criminal justice system from her position as a prosecutor and later as Attorney General. Rather than advocating for the wholesale dismantling of institutions, Harris seeks to identify areas for improvement and implement targeted reforms. This approach is particularly apparent in her work on issues such as truancy; as notes, “Our effort was designed to connect parents to resources that could help them get their kids back into school, where they belonged. We were trying to support parents, not punish them” (123). This approach illustrates her strategy of reforming systems from the inside rather than simply criticizing from the outside.
The textual structure of these chapters is notable for its blend of personal anecdotes and policy discussions. Harris frequently uses stories from her own life or the lives of individuals she has encountered to illustrate broader points about policy and governance. This approach humanizes complex issues and demonstrates the real-world impact of political decisions.
Harris’s writing also uses rhetorical devices effectively to engage the reader and underscore key points. One prominent device is the use of rhetorical questions, which challenge the reader’s assumptions and prompt deeper consideration of issues. Additionally, Harris employs imagery and sensory details in her descriptions of events and people, such as when she describes the Women’s March as “a vibrant sea of pink-hatted people of all ages, races, genders, and orientations” (155), bringing the scene to life for the reader and emphasizing the diversity and unity of the movement.
In terms of analytical framework, Harris consistently approaches issues through the lens of social justice and equity. She examines policies and institutions with an eye toward their impact on marginalized communities and seeks solutions that address systemic inequalities. This framework is particularly evident in her discussion of immigration policy and her efforts to protect DACA recipients.
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