107 Days, 5 Interruptions and One Unshaken Voice
- Pam G ThaLow4sho
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
Crafted By Pam G
Saturday at the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago’s velvet-draped civic stage became a battleground of voices, visions, and visceral reactions. Former Vice President Kamala Harris arrived not just with a memoir, but with a message—one shaped by the high-stakes countdown of her 2024 campaign, now immortalized in 107 Days. Moderated by the ever-poised Michele Norris, the event promised reflection, reckoning, and real talk. What it delivered was all that—and a reminder that public discourse is still a contact sport.
From the moment Harris took the stage, the energy was electric. Chicago showed up suited, booted, and book-in-hand. But the conversation was punctuated—five times—by hecklers who rose from the crowd like pop-up ads in a live stream. Shouts ranged from mispronunciations to accusations, with one protester reportedly invoking genocide before being swiftly escorted out. The crowd, protective and proud, responded with boos and chants of “get her out,” a chorus of civic defense that echoed through the rafters.
Security moved with precision—no hesitation, no spectacle. Michele Norris, ever the diplomat, reminded the audience: “We encourage people to use their voices, but we want them to show respect for this woman.” Harris, unfazed, leaned into humor: “And please pronounce my name correctly…”
But let’s be clear—this wasn’t just a book tour. It was a temperature check. A litmus test for how the public engages with power, memory, and accountability. Protesters, some reportedly tied to Gaza-related criticism, turned the memoir rollout into a moment of message control. And Harris? She didn’t flinch. She didn’t fold. She kept the conversation moving, even as the room swelled with tension.
Chicago knows disruption. We birth movements and remix resistance. But we also know when to hold space for dialogue. Saturday’s event was a reminder that even in disagreement, there’s a way to show up with dignity. And for those of us building platforms for youth voice and civic literacy, it was a teachable moment in real time.
Kamala Harris left the stage with her story intact, her voice steady, and her audience—mostly—still with her. The countdown may be over, but the conversation is just beginning.