Vice President Kamala Harris has been criticized over allegations of plagiarism in her 2009 book Smart on Crime. Conservative activists and researchers have raised concerns over several passages in the book, which they claim were lifted directly from other sources without proper attribution.
The Allegations: A Breakdown
Conservative activist Christopher Rufo and plagiarism researcher Stefan Weber have led the charge, identifying more than a dozen instances in Harris’ book that appear to copy other sources, including a 2008 report by the Associated Press (AP), a press release from John Jay College, and even entries from Wikipedia. The New York Sun VT News
- High School Graduation Rates: One of the most notable examples comes from a section of the book that discusses public school graduation rates in cities like Detroit, Indianapolis, and Cleveland. This passage closely mirrors an AP report, with only minor wording differences. The AP’s original text mentioned, “about half of the students served by public school systems in the nation’s largest cities receive diplomas.” Harris’s book replicates this almost verbatim The New York Sun
- The High Point Drug Strategy: Another striking example comes from a passage about the High Point drug strategy, which Harris and her co-author describe as a successful crime-reduction initiative. This section was reportedly copied almost word-for-word from a John Jay College press release. The only significant changes were in formatting—such as spelling out “percent” and minor word choices. The New York Sun
- Wikipedia: There are even claims that parts of the book were taken directly from Wikipedia, a source widely considered unreliable for academic purposes. This has added to the controversy surrounding the integrity of Harris’ book. VT News
Reactions and Harris’ Response
So far, Harris’ team has not issued a detailed response to the plagiarism allegations. When reached for comment, co-author Joan O’C. Hamilton was reportedly surprised by the claims and unable to provide an immediate explanation. She noted that she hadn’t reviewed the specifics yet. The New York Sun
These allegations echo past plagiarism controversies in American politics, most notably President Joe Biden’s 1987 presidential campaign, which was derailed after it was revealed that he plagiarized speeches from British politician Neil Kinnock. The echoes of this earlier scandal are already being felt, with some conservative commentators drawing direct comparisons between Harris and Biden. The New York Sun VT News
Impact on Harris’ Political Career
The timing of these allegations is particularly damaging. As Vice President, Harris is constantly under scrutiny, and any controversy can have significant political ramifications. Plagiarism is considered a serious ethical violation, and while some of the alleged offenses may be minor, others are more substantial. The lack of proper citations, especially in a high-profile book, calls into question the standards Harris maintained while promoting her “smart on crime” approach.
Critics have been quick to pounce on this opportunity to discredit her, especially with an eye toward the 2024 election. Republican Senator J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy, sarcastically commented on social media, “I wrote my own book, unlike Kamala Harris, who copied hers from Wikipedia.” Such jabs may fuel further distrust among voters, particularly in conservative circles. The New York Sun
Conclusion
The plagiarism allegations against Kamala Harris may not yet have reached the level of a career-ending scandal, but they certainly tarnish her reputation. In a world where ethical standards are paramount, especially in politics, such claims can weaken the trust that voters place in a candidate. It remains to be seen how Harris and her team will address these accusations and whether they will have a lasting impact on her political ambitions.
References:
- “Kamala Harris Accused of Plagiarism in 2009 Book.” The New York Sun. Retrieved from: New York Sun
- “Kamala Harris Plagiarism Claims Stir Controversy.” VT News. Retrieved from: VT News