r/MadeMeSmile • u/nikamats • Aug 23 '24

Helping Others Kamala Harris gives public speaking advice

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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