Stagecraft in Compton: Harris and Newsom’s Political Moves Cloaked in School Visits

Opinion: Compton Is Not a Prop — We Refuse to Be Used for Political Theater

By the Citizens' Coalition for Change, Compton, CA

Compton is not a campaign stage. Yet once again, our city was paraded as a convenient backdrop for the ambitions of high-profile politicians. Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom both swept through town last week, staging carefully timed appearances just miles and hours apart. The timing was no accident—and neither was the intent. These weren’t acts of public service. They were photo ops, plain and simple.

Let’s be clear: we are proud of our students and the incredible strides being made in our community, including the opening of the new state-of-the-art Compton High School. But we resent seeing our achievements used as set pieces for political image-building. Harris shows up unannounced, says nothing, takes a few pictures, and leaves. Newsom reads to children, announces a plan, poses for cameras, and moves on. It’s all scripted. All shallow. And it happens over and over again.

These are not leaders coming to invest. They are celebrities in political disguise, flying in for optics while the residents of Compton are left with nothing but hashtags, headlines, and a handful of city leaders smiling in the background of staged photographs.

And let’s not forget—when the elections are over, when the national spotlight fades—do these officials return to check in on Compton? Do they roll up their sleeves to deliver meaningful policy or resources? No. History shows they don’t. Our city is good enough for a photo, but never for a follow-through.

It’s time to say it plainly: we are tired of being used. This isn’t partnership—it’s exploitation. While a select few get to add another picture to their wall, the rest of us are left with empty hands and empty promises.

To those who think they can continue this charade: don’t come here unless you plan to stay, to listen, and to deliver. Compton deserves more than staged moments. We deserve real respect, real representation, and real results. Until then, keep your cameras and your speeches—we’re not interested.

In what Governor Gavin Newsom insisted were “coincidental” appearances, California’s two highest-profile Democrats—Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris—visited schools just miles apart in Compton on the same day. But with both figures navigating uncertain political futures, the optics were hard to ignore.

At Compton High School, Harris made a surprise appearance at the Class of 2025 graduation. Though she didn’t speak, her presence was a headline-grabbing moment, especially as speculation swirls about a possible 2026 gubernatorial bid. Her visit was reportedly sparked by a heartfelt note from graduating senior MyShay Causey, who handed a personal essay to former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff while working at her part-time job. The note highlighted student leadership at Compton High, and apparently moved Harris enough to respond with a personal call and, ultimately, an appearance.

With 87% of Compton’s seniors accepted into colleges—including UCLA and UC Berkeley—and more than $500,000 in scholarships awarded, Harris’s visit could be read as either a deeply personal response or a politically timed nod to Black academic excellence. Was it a sincere gesture, a strategic photo op, or both?

Just a few hours later and a few miles away, Newsom stood in front of a cheerful mural at Clinton Elementary to unveil the Golden State Literacy Plan. The initiative promises over 1,000 new literacy coaches for high-need schools and a renewed push to improve reading outcomes across California. It’s a legacy-minded move for a lame-duck governor with only 19 months left in office—and one who may be subtly auditioning for a national role.

Newsom, already distancing himself from the Biden administration’s struggles via his own podcast and selective media appearances, is trying to redefine his political brand. He’s been carefully navigating questions about a potential 2028 presidential run, recently admitting, “I might,” but only if he has a “burning why” and a distinct vision.

Harris, meanwhile, faces her own decision: whether to run for governor in 2026. Entering the already crowded race would likely eliminate her chances of a 2028 presidential bid and force her to reckon with the practical realities of governing a famously complex state. California voters—and the nation—are watching closely.

Notably, both Harris and Newsom skipped last weekend’s state Democratic convention in Anaheim, a gathering of thousands of party delegates, donors, and power players. Their absence was conspicuous, especially amid growing speculation about their next moves.

Together, their same-day visits in Compton looked less like coincidence and more like parallel campaigns in quiet motion—heavy on image, light on answers. For now, both leaders appear to be shaping narratives, but leaving the public to guess what comes next.