Harris for President
I was at a festival last week where a prominent Black female author talking about Biden possibly bowing out of the race, said, “America today won’t elect a Black woman president.” Over the next several days as talk of change in the ticket intensified, whenever my husband raised the possibility of Harris replacing him, I quoted this author. But when it actually happened, well—you know that famous Kermit the Frog arm flail? The one where he’s clapping like a wild frog? C’est moi.
The Harris Effect
In the 24 hours after the announcement, Harris broke all fundraising records. Astonishingly, 64% of those donors were giving for the first time this election. The GOP is mewing about suing so Harris can’t assume Biden’s war chest, unable to process that Americans are donating a tsunami of money to Harris for Harris because of Harris. Three days, $126 million.
Democratic leaders also immediately coalesced around her and, within metaphorical minutes, she had the delegates to secure the nomination at the convention. Suddenly, Trump was old news. Literally old news. Harris’s young, vivacious image was everywhere. Beside her, J.D. Vance looked like a cartoon villain, his scowl the perfect illustration of why Harris is proclaiming, “We are not going back.”
The Harris Disruption
No, I don’t know how the election will roll out, but I’m buoyed by Harris’s amazing favorability ratings. She added 74,000 new volunteers to her campaign in three days. Voter registration soared after Biden’s announcement. Enthusiasm is rocking America, and I dearly love the disruption of it. It tickles me Fox News is losing its mind over Harris’ scheduling conflict that takes her to a Black sorority gathering rather than presiding over Netanyahu’s address to Congress. How dare she prioritize Black women, sputter, sputter?
Harris FOR President
But here’s the main thing: I’m for Harris. It’s no longer, vote for Biden or democracy is over! Why am I for Harris for President?
Harris co-authored the Emmett Till anti-lynching bill that finally passed after more than 200 attempts—in her endorsement, she invoked the legacy of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. She has consistently supported women’s right to control their own bodies. Clean energy goes in the “yes” column, as does criminal justice reform, limiting solitary confinement, decriminalizing recreational use of marijuana, and establishing a standard force-of-use policy for police. When she was the San Francisco DA, she established a unit to investigate hate crimes against LGBTQ youth. I have no doubt she will go toe to toe with Trump. The prosecutor vs the convicted felon—ha!
Harris for President, Not Hate
Of course, as Harris takes on Trump and presumes to believe she can hold the highest office in the land, she can expect to be subjected to the greatest misogynoir we have ever seen (don’t search for Harris memes, they are foul). When we encounter this sewage, we must call it out. We—I’m talking particularly to us white women here—cannot let any such talk slide. Be aware of it. Counter it.
Better yet, don’t wait for it to raise its ugly head. Speak out now: I will not tolerate comments about Harris or any other Black woman that are racist or misogynistic. Black women have fought without ceasing to create our rights as Americans. We owe a debt that making Harris president will not begin to repay. Respect Black women, even if you do not intend to elect Harris to office. Respect.
Does this post read as if I’m supporting Harris because she is Black and female? You damn right I am. She is a candidate whose policies I support (I wouldn’t vote for Candace Owens for dogcatcher, y’all). And, thank you Jesus, she is a Black woman. Oh, and that quote from the celebrated author? If everyone tempers their enthusiasm because, hey, America might be even more racist and women-hating than we thought, we will never know if we could have elected Harris as president. Me, I’m focusing on showing we can.
#HarrisforPresident
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Emma
I’m with you on Harris! Repubs and moderates seem to be afraid of strong women. So, at first I was thinking no, that will not be good – independents may not be ready for her. Can she win against tRump? But after I watch her more and more, I see her strengths and her experience and I believe she can weather any storm, including the sexist and racist memes and slings that are being thrown at her already from the right. I hope she chooses a great VP running mate – like Josh Shapiro – or any of those other 4 that reportedly are the finalists – what an awesome team that will be against the weakest two people – tRump and Vance.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
That arc sounds very familiar, Emma. I’m interested in the VP too. And I ignorantly didn’t know Kentucky, for example, had a Democrat governor. Exciting times!
Donna Weidner
Count me in as well, Ellen!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Yay!!! We are a mighty bunch!!!
Joanne Corey
A big Yes to Harris! She is undoubtedly the best prepared person to assume the presidency. She’s been in on high-level meetings and briefings for three and a half years and has traveled extensively to meet with world leaders, especially in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. She has spoken eloquently and passionately on reproductive rights, climate issues, civil rights, economic inequities, and so much more. She has experience in the courts, Congress, and the executive branch. She is smart, committed, principled, and joyful.
Of course, I love that she is a woman and look forward to the US’s first woman president. I appreciate everything that you have said about her Black heritage and would like to add that Harris would be the first graduate of an HCBU to assume the presidency. I would also like to lift up Kamala Harris’s Asian ancestry, which will also be historic for a US president. Although not as long a history of oppression as Blacks have experienced, the AAPI community has also suffered centuries of discrimination and denial of full citizenship in the US.
I would also like to raise up Harris’s immigrant parents, who met while working in the civil rights movement. Kamala was born into the civil rights movement and continues to embody those principles. I’m hoping that, as President, she will be able to finally convince Congress to finally enact just and comprehensive immigration reform.
Sorry for going on. I need to do a giant post in my Vote for Democracy ’24 series on my blog but haven’t had the brainpower to work on it. A long comment early in the morning I could handle. 😉
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Yes, her Asian ancestry. I always forget about that (of course, I do.) I have little patience with right-wing commentators who criticize Harris supporters who care about her background. Too many of these use white/male or white/coopted female as a prerequisite to supporting a candidate. But being overjoyed at the chance to open those limiting gates and suddenly you’re the one focusing on background. Sheesh. And I didn’t know that about how her parents met. You always educate me with your comments. Thank you!
Marie A Bailey
I was one of those who thought America wouldn’t be ready for a woman of color president. I was thrilled when Obama was elected (our country has truly progressed!) but distressed at the level of racism he faced from the public and elected officials. I was relieved when he won a 2nd term, but things just seemed to get uglier. I was happy when Biden chose Harris as his running mate, but worried. Initially, Biden said he would be a one-term president, a “transitional” president, and I worried that 3 1/2 years wouldn’t be long enough for Harris to garner the kind of support she’d need to win in 2024. Gosh, I love it when I’m wrong! I’ve been over the moon since Biden endorsed Harris.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Oh, me, too, Marie. On both counts. My initial reluctance, my eruptive enthusiasm. To the point that I’m incredulous at folks who are slow-walking their support. I’m like, what? Really? I always quickly forget my own stages of development.