Oprah Winfrey Urges Voters to Choose Joy and Kamala Harris at Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO – Media titan Oprah Winfrey ignited the crowd at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night with a passionate call for voters to "choose joy" and rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

In a stirring address, Winfrey stressed the importance of unity, freedom, and the ongoing fight to protect democracy. She invoked the words of the late civil rights leader John Lewis, reminding voters that “we are all in the same boat now,” urging them to stand together against those who seek to divide and conquer.

“Freedom isn’t free,” Winfrey proclaimed, her voice resolute. “America is an ongoing project. It requires commitment, and every now and then, it requires standing up to life’s bullies.”

Winfrey reflected on her personal experiences with racism, sexism, and division across the country, emphasizing that despite the challenges, the majority of Americans—both conservative and liberal—are united by a shared humanity and a willingness to help one another.

“Let us choose common sense over nonsense,” Winfrey urged, her words met with cheers. She framed the election as a battle for the soul of the nation, where voters must decide between divisive rhetoric and the hope of a better future. “These are complicated times, and they require adult conversations.”

Touching on the critical issues of reproductive rights and gun control, Winfrey honored the women who bravely shared their stories of struggle at the convention, calling them "the new freedom fighters." She underscored the importance of autonomy and the right to make decisions about one’s own body, stating, "There is no American dream without the freedom to choose."

In an emotional tribute, Winfrey recounted the story of Tessie Prevost Williams, a young Black girl who integrated an all-white school in New Orleans under the protection of U.S. marshals in the 1950s. She emphasized how the courage of trailblazers like Williams laid the foundation for Kamala Harris to ascend to the highest office in the land.

“Soon and very soon,” Winfrey declared, “we’re going to be teaching our daughters and sons about how this child of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father grew up to become the 47th President of the United States.”

As the audience rose to their feet in applause, Winfrey urged Americans to vote for decency, respect, and common sense. She framed the election as a choice not between parties, but between values. "This election isn’t about us and them," she said. "It’s about you and me, and what we want our futures to look like."

Closing her remarks with an impassioned plea, Winfrey left the crowd with a clear message: “Let us choose truth. Let us choose honor. And let us choose joy—because that’s the best of America. And more than anything, let us choose freedom. Why? Because that’s the best of America.”

With her words, Winfrey set the stage for the convention’s continued push to unite voters and propel Kamala Harris toward the presidency in what has become a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.