January 21st of 2019, the day Kamala Harris announced her candidacy for president, garnered heavy media attention. Black women prior to her – Shirley Chisholm who ran in 1972, Lenora Fulani in 1988 and 1992 and Carol Moseley-Braun in 2004 – all give a reason why, especially now, that America needs women in office. Although Harris might represent change, given that she is black and a woman, her past is tricky.

A “progressive prosecutor” is what Harris calls herself, though her stance on certain issues might say otherwise. Most recently during an interview at “The Breakfast Club, a New York-based radio show, hosts Charlamagne and DJ Envy asked her if she smoked marijuana and she replied, “I did inhale.” Just a couple of years prior, California State Senator Harris giggled at the idea of legalizing marijuana during 2014 when she declined supporting Proposition 47. The ballot would have allowed reduction in low-level felonies. Blacks are four times more likely to be arrested on possession of marijuana than whites, when both use it at the same rate, according to the American Liberties Civil Union (ACLU).

Other disturbing details are surfacing to the public. In 2015 she refused to sign a bill that demanded an investigation of officers who were involved in shootings and body cams worn by officers, which by now is a standard in 34 states. In 2003, Harris was elected as the San Francisco attorney general and assured she would “incarcerate people for as long as possible,” yet she championed for programs to help prisoners find jobs. How, if you’re fighting against them in the same breath?

African-American voters are catching up with these contradictions in Harris’ career. In fact, Black Twitter, a sub-genre of Twitter, is calling her out and poking fun at the candidate. Some tweets showcased Harris in memes making a mockery of her past political stances. Some of the memes include widely known videos from “Beyond Scared Straight” with captions of “Kamala Harris visiting the Black and Brown folk she threw in jail” and many more.

Kamala Harris comes off too strong in the eyes of African-Americans. She displays what she thinks black American culture is in this country. From  playing Tupac at book signings to dancing to Cardi B, she wants them to know that she’s “down.” Black voters need a candidate who can handle the issues that oppress their communities. Incarceration, poverty, police brutality, health care are all pressing issues that need more awareness because they affect blacks at more alarming rates. Black voters need someone to strongly advocate their issues, not someone who falsely adapts to their culture to garner votes.