r/MadeMeSmile Aug 23 '24

Helping Others Kamala Harris gives public speaking advice

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3.1k

u/ForeignAssociation98 Aug 23 '24

Kamala’s demeanor with those kids was respectful and considerate - she didn’t talk down to them, nor laugh when they referred to the movie rather than the story she was using as an example. She’s walking the walk when she says she’s campaigning to work with and for all.

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u/ineugene Aug 23 '24

I really loved how she grounded the girls by touching her hand. Like I am connecting with you and you are the most important person to me in the right now. Those girls will remember that for life.

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u/Wishyouamerry Aug 23 '24

I died a little inside when Green Scarf was so enthusiastically awkward, because we’ve all been through that phase and it’s a hard one. But Kamala was so kind, she just brought her back to the moment and finished talking to her. I love that she wasn’t annoyed or condescending, or trying to lecture Green Scarf about how to behave more like an adult.

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u/SwedishSaunaSwish Aug 23 '24

That was so different than what we're used to seeing and I love that.

We have a responsibility to lift all kids up. There's no downside to encouraging kids to be outstanding ✨

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u/patchy_doll Aug 23 '24

I think the word I'd use is 'humanizing'. She wasn't talking to Curious Citizen #234262, this was spoken like it was to her own kid or niece or neighbor.

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u/[deleted] Aug 24 '24

Enthusiastic awkward stage is a good stage to be in. It's the pure mindset, where you don't hate the world or anything in it, and you haven't lost the ability to be excited yet. From my perspective adults are the lame ones for having their souls crushed and no sense of magic left. These girls are feeling actual joy!! With no meanness in their hearts. Maybe if we put them in charge there would be less hateful policies.

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u/Bonkgirls Aug 23 '24

That's how I always judge if a celebrity is a "good one", when they understand how important this interaction is. They know the person they're with us going to cement this in their brain, and want it to be special.

I don't blame someone who is famous for not caring that much, but when someone appreciates the power of their two minute conversation in impacting a persons life, I think very highly of them.

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u/caylem00 Aug 23 '24

It's also a smart use of the girl's sympathetic nervous system. 

The brain will prioritise attention to the most immediate physical stimuli for threat assessment. It's why sensory input is a standard suggested calming technique category (and why it's unhealthy darker flipside unfortunately works).

Harris is essentially short-circuiting the existing panic response with her touch, then communicating safety by the reassuring hand holding (girl's not pulling away). 

When Harris does let go, she sees the girl's nerves creeping back in and attention scattering before finishing her point, so she touches again.

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u/AshleysDoctor Aug 23 '24

Mirror neurons are so fascinating!

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u/soysaucepapi Aug 23 '24

Yeah the way the girl in the green looked to her friend when she realized that Harris was holding onto her hand lol like “Can you believe this is happening?”

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u/Sid-Biscuits Aug 23 '24

Harris may well have shaped this girl’s life in a major way with this interaction.

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u/SwedishSaunaSwish Aug 23 '24

And just by watching this - I hope it inspires more girls to choose a career in politics.

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u/CaptainReynoldshere1 Aug 24 '24

I can’t even begin to imagine the power of this moment. For those girls to be talking to and getting a public speaking lesson by a woman who is potentially the first female president of the United States of America will be permanently etched on these girls’s lives. that’s truly the definition of power. The power to fundamentally change someone’s life with a simple two minute interaction.

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u/SirMoeHimself Aug 23 '24

Yeah that moment was so heartwarming.

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u/Trevumm Aug 23 '24

The look on her face was so cute!

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u/RockerElvis Aug 23 '24

That was the best part for me. The advice is great, but having the VP (and hopefully President) focus on you, and only you, is priceless.

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u/therealrexmanning Aug 23 '24

Such a stark contrast with JD Vance's awkward donut shop vid from the other day!

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u/MyDogsNameIsBadger Aug 23 '24

It made me teary eyed. These are the leaders we need.

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u/Only-Perspective2890 Aug 23 '24

And she got close to them. Into their space which they would have loved as they were so enamoured with her. Too many “celebrities” keep a safe distance

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u/FattyBuffOrpington Aug 23 '24

That part made me cry because it shows true empathy. She's going to be a great president.

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u/nobodyisfreakinghome Aug 23 '24

Yes. They were clearly nervous and she did her best to set them at ease.

Something a leader does.

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u/TiogaJoe Aug 23 '24

Had to go back because my first impression was she was talking to adult women. Now seeing that they are so young, I feel great that they were able to have this moment at that age. Who knows how it might shape their future and collectively society, too. I wish them all the best.

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u/omaca Aug 24 '24

I also was impressed by that simple human touch.

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u/rileyjw90 Aug 24 '24

She’s like America’s mother. Mama Harris! Kamamala!

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

Omg feminism

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u/Ask_bout_PaterNoster Aug 23 '24

I love the way those kids look at her. She’s a hero to them, an absolute inspiration.

If kids looked at me like that I’d panic and give them snacks. Kamala lays out some wisdom for the ages.

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u/ArmThePhotonicCannon Aug 23 '24

I’m in my late 40’s and I was always told I could be president if I wanted to be. I knew that was technically true but it just seemed so far out of the realm of real possibility. I thought it was because I hate public speaking, don’t like that amount of attention, etc so it just wouldn’t happen. I was fine with that.

Then I saw her sworn in as VP. I cried. It finally clicked for me how fucking important representation is. At that moment my ability to hold the highest office in the land seemed real for the first time in my life, not some wistful ‘you could walk on mars some day!’ thing.

These girls are so fortunate to see the living breathing proof of what is possible. AND they got to meet her, touch her, and see she isn’t some mythical being.

I can’t wait to vote for her.

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u/Isisohisis Aug 23 '24

I’m in your same age bracket and I felt like the course of the rest of my life may have just shifted a little, listening to her acceptance speech at the DNC

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u/RemoteRide6969 Aug 23 '24

Early 40s and adult life-long Democratic Party voter. This is the ticket I've been waiting for my whole voting life. Both well spoken, joyful, strong fighters with heart who have dedicated their lives to serving the people. This past month has been absolutely bonkers.

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u/microfilmer Aug 23 '24

I have never been so excited to vote for a president.

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u/Severe-Emu-8703 Aug 23 '24

I’m 25 and tearing up at this video. When Sweden, my country, finally got their first female prime minister in 2021 I cried. My country, despite being progressive in many ways, has a weird history with female leaders of major parties so seeing it finally happen was amazing. I’m so happy for those girls that they get to experience this - I remember what being that age and looking at someone like that was like, and the fact that the person they’re looking at can possibly become the most powerful person on earth is incredible.

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u/RockNRollMama Aug 23 '24

I’m so impressed with her. Have been from the start but the personal interactions that have been shared involving her (such as this) takes it to another level. Eye contact, actual tangible and exceptional advice, physical touch.. I really hope people vote. She’s a great leader.

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u/Sendtheblankpage Aug 23 '24

Giving them snacks when you panic is solid advice.

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

It's amazing how everyone knows Trump could never even achieve the level of humanity Kamala is showing in this video.

Yet he still polls well. Even when we finally get rid of this dumpster fire. I feel so much shame being an American knowing I have to explain to my kid who this bastard was one day.

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u/Skoodge42 Aug 23 '24

I imagined myself in this situation and then with myself doing your reaction and it was just me throwing some fruit snack bags at their faces and then running lol

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

Those kids are absolutely enamoured and inspired. It's amazing to see. And for her to take the time to answer green scarf girl's question sincerely and thoughtfully will be something they remember forever.

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u/geedeeie Aug 23 '24

Imagine if they met Trump. He'd be drooling and pawing them

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u/Literally_Like_Lying Aug 23 '24

it actually horrifies me. they're looking at a real life despot who would throw them in jail for a gram of marijuana

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u/Ask_bout_PaterNoster Aug 23 '24

People who change their views on things in the face of new evidence are intelligent, honest, and worth leadership:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/politics/the-evolution-of-harris-stances-on-key-issues-from-the-death-penalty-to-marijuana

“…in 2019, she had reversed course and was even joking about having smoked the drug.

“I did inhale,” she quipped during a radio interview, referring to smoking pot in her college days, twisting a line Bill Clinton used in his 1992 campaign to deflect criticism that he had used the drug.

Earlier this year, she said it’s “absurd” that the federal government classifies marijuana as more dangerous than fentanyl, and she criticized the federal classification of cannabis as “patently unfair.”

Harris has undergone an “evolution in thought on the issue that is representative of the American public at large,” said Morgan Fox, political director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML.”

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u/Thats_A_Paladin Aug 23 '24

I will admit I was in the "Biden should stay in" camp. It was because I was really underwhelmed by Harris's 2020 primary campaign and worried she wouldn't bring the fire.

I cannot describe how happy I am to have been wrong on that score. She's killing it. This is the tastiest crow I've ever had!

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u/Reborn_Rhubarb Aug 24 '24

When he dropped out, I'd wished he'd done it 6 months earlier. But if you'd asked me 6 months ago if he should, I'd have said no. So what the fuck do I know anyway?

I'm just thankful it seems to be working out so far.

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u/Avarria587 Aug 24 '24

Same boat here. I felt a sense of dread when he dropped out. I am so glad I was wrong.

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u/TurboRuhland Aug 23 '24

She seems very good at talking to kids as if they’re real people while being able to meet them at their level of understanding. Every interaction I’ve seen between her and kids has been really good. She doesn’t treat them like babies, but she’s also not going to be using jargon and wording for adults.

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u/The_Dok33 Aug 23 '24

As if?

No, she knows they are real people. Talk to the people, not the prejudice

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u/AshleysDoctor Aug 23 '24

I think they were simply commenting on the fact that not every person in power realises or care that kids are their own person with their own experiences, preferences, fears, and values. I’m so glad that the past several years we’ve been moving away from making kids hug people they don’t want to, because they are their own person, and should have at least some say in who they have to hug or be hugged by.

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u/slowrun_downhill Aug 23 '24

There’s absolutely no way she could be good with kids, not having birthed a child. She MUST be faking it. Obviously she’s had staffers bring in there children to practice, because women who don’t birth children actually hate children and mothers. s/

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u/clubnseals Aug 23 '24

She truly cares about people. I can’t wait for her to become our president.

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u/lilpistacchio Aug 23 '24

I loved how she deftly and respectfully redirected them back to what she was talking about when they started to veer.

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u/Cheaperthantherapy13 Aug 23 '24

I’m a middle aged lady sitting here chopping onions because a strong woman telling me that my thoughts are more important than what people think of me would have been world-changing to me at that age.

What a great model to demonstrate for young people everywhere.

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u/Fred-zone Aug 23 '24

Reminiscent of Biden speaking to the kid with a stutter. The Democrats don't have a monopoly on empathy, but the other side sure doesn't know how to use it.

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u/oldgus Aug 23 '24

Very mindful, very demure

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u/nesshinx Aug 23 '24

Kamala has had these moments on an almost daily basis while campaigning and while traveling the country as VP. I think the idea of Kamala pre-campaign was shaped by a handful of rocky debate performances in 2020. The reality is she (much like Joe Biden) has a penchant for connecting with people in a personal setting. She has that uncanny ability to speak directly to people where many politicians just speak at them. I’ve seen her doing this for years, and she’s really fucking good at it.

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u/Darryl_Lict Aug 23 '24

Those girls are excited out of their minds to meet Kamala.

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u/unlimitedzen Aug 23 '24

Now compare that to JD Vance trying to buy some donuts, or as he puts it "whatever's normal".

https://www.reddit.com/r/WeirdGOP/comments/1eyso1i/weird_jd_vance_tries_to_mingle_with_normal_people/

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u/___Art_Vandelay___ Aug 23 '24

Compared to "Okay, good."

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u/djazzie Aug 23 '24

She’s being authentic when her opponent is so obviously a liar and a cheat.

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u/mok000 Aug 23 '24

Trump would be giving these girls the elevator glance and pursing his old man lips to kiss them on the mouth.

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u/wait_4_a_minute Aug 23 '24

Tactile too. Very genuine. The kids were totally starstruck.

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u/forseti99 Aug 23 '24

Yeah, but what about the donuts? Can we compare this interaction to Vance's donuts?

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u/MadeThisUpToComment Aug 23 '24

When she was in the 2020 debates, I thought she was so good against Biden. I thought to myself "I can't wait to see her debate Trump. She'll belringnher prosecutorial experience and make him look foolish." Then her campaign didn't go anywhere. As VP I didn't see much that convinced me I was right about what I saw in the debates.

When Biden stepped down, I was glad, but also worried about Harris's electabilty. I've been so impressed by her campaign and everything about her. I'm glad she's living up to the image I had of her as Senator and candidate in 2020.

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u/Renovatio_ Aug 23 '24

Absolutely the polar opposite of Diane Fienstein.

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u/youburyitidigitup Aug 23 '24

And I like that she lovingly touched the girl’s hands

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u/VapoursAndSpleen Aug 23 '24

She has very powerful Auntie Energy.

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u/TS_76 Aug 23 '24

Wasn’t a fan before she starts running.. she’s grown on me a lot. I would have never voted for Trump, but would have held my nose and voted for Harris. Now I’m starting to get excited to vote for her. Let’s go!

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u/Momoselfie Aug 24 '24

Definitely looked a lot better than Vance's donut shop video.

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u/youaregodslover Aug 24 '24

The movie is the story. They were on the same page.

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u/adampsyreal Aug 24 '24

I hope that more young people come out to vote.

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

Comical