I think it’s fair to say that it’s the season of Kamala Harris. As the vice president moves into the role of Democratic presidential nominee in the next few weeks, we are in for a historic election season. We must also be prepared for historic levels of racism and sexism directed at candidate Harris and other women of color who dare to reject the status quo, seek elected office, or lead in their various occupational spaces.
We have already heard some of the racist attacks from the former president and his new running mate. I think it is fair to say that the 45th president is having severe buyer’s remorse when looking at that running mate. JD Vance hasn’t expanded the base, he’s been a dud on the campaign trail, he’s chosen to sidestep the racist attacks about his Indian American wife, and he’s had to defend his reprehensible attacks on “childless cat ladies” and his attempts to take away the vote from people who are child-free.
Kamala Harris, on the other hand, has had one of the best presidential roll-outs we’ve seen in modern history. The excitement has been palpable. Part of her portfolio as vice president has been to articulate the Democratic policy position, strongly supporting and advocating for reproductive justice and a woman’s right to choose. The idea that women can make decisions over their own lives is resonating with women, and men, across the country.
Harris has galvanized the donor class as well. While many donors were less than enthusiastic about another Biden-Trump rematch, they are now excited about the prospect for a candidate who can talk about education, the environment, international affairs, and the future in a way we have not previously seen this election season.
One large obstacle Harris must overcome, though, is getting people to believe this country would ever elect a woman of color at the top of the ticket. To date, this country has never elected a Black woman as a governor—the top executive position of a state. Only two Black women have been elected as U.S. senators in the history of the nation and Kamala Harris was the second (in 2016, from California; Carol Moseley Braun was the first, elected in 1992 from Illinois). And being selected as vice president is not the same as voters going to the polls to pull the lever for “Harris for President.”
It remains to be seen whether Democrats will be able to connect with voters about their vision for the country (not just scare tactic scenarios about a second term of Trump). They must help voters see why Harris is the best candidate for the job and ready to serve. It will then be our job to organize, donate, volunteer, and vote to make sure she wins on November 5.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC; and host of The Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio.