What Kamala Harris Means for a New Generation of Black Women Leaders
In her first remarks as Vice President-elect of the United States, Kamala Harris offered an inspiring message to American women, especially black women.
“While I may be the first woman to occupy this office, I won't be the last. Because every little girl who watches tonight sees that this is a land of possibilities,” Harris said.
During these remarks, she reflected on the black women who paved the way for her historic rise, referring to black women as "the backbone of our democracy."
Harris will give way to a new generation of black female leaders in politics, argued Nadia Brown, professor of political science at Purdue University.
“What it symbolically shows is that she is there, that she belongs and because of that, generations of other people who have been marginalized also belong,” Brown said.
It's a sentiment shared by Glynda Carr, CEO and founder of Higher Heights, a political action committee formed to help black women who rise to elected office.
“She forever changed the way you campaign, the way you present yourself as your authentic self by bringing all of your multiple identities to a campaign,” Carr said. "This, I think, will not only translate for future presidential and vice-presidential elections, but I certainly think women will run for local office as well."
Since his appointment, Harris has campaigned almost exclusively with communities of color, highlighting his Indian and Jamaican heritage, his historically black university alma mater and its members in the historically Black Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Harris' history. has faced attacks from the right, including the constant and often deliberate mispronunciation of his name.
"When you are a public figure, especially when you are a woman, a black woman who is a public figure, you expect it," said Sharon Wright Austin, professor of political science at the University of Florida. "And you have a special kind of strength, which helps you not to focus on the trolls, but to focus on the people who wish you luck."
Campbell, described a brief interaction with Harris after a campaign event in North Carolina.
"She said there would be many places and spaces that we are going to enter that there will be no one like the two of us, but she said to always remember our power as strong and intelligent black women. . " Sanders told ABC News. "And so you know I thanked her for that, but I honestly couldn't thank her enough."
"The words she spoke weren't just words, but they actually have impact and meaning because they keep me going through tough days; they keep me grounded and they help remind me of what's possible. and what is my potential, ”Sanders said.
Harris is not only significant for symbolic reasons, but could have an impact on Biden's agenda. In his remarks on Saturday, Harris said it was time to "eliminate systemic racism in our justice system and our society."
Biden and Harris will enter the White House after
a nationwide race calculation and calls for police reform sparked by a series of murders of blacks by law enforcement officers this year.
"She will bring in and push for the intersectionality of the policies that they will center - the approaches and the vision that they will center to ensure that there is a racial lens and a gender lens," Carr said. "And that's going to be the legacy of having a woman and a woman of color as your vice president."
