Today, epilogued a historical spell as the White House, America’s official emblem of power, stripped away the portrait of Vice-President Kamala Harris. The irony of the moment wasn’t lost on many, as it was the first time a female figure was ever displayed there, and may be the last, given the purported inadequacy of her tenure. The looming fear is that her oversights will overshadow her historic ascendance in the corridors of power. I can’t help but think that Americans have been shielded from the truth about her accomplishments, or lack thereof.
Over the past few years, as Harris’ official videographer, I had a front-row seat to her navigating the maze of global politics and the White House. Armed with a trusty White House-issued Sony FX3, the subtle hiccups and diplomatic dilemmas she faced were captured with vivid detail. Her itineraries extended to 11 nations, 91 cities in 27 U.S. states. She interacted with some of the world’s top political figures, most of whom were male, and witnessed the dismissive treatment from some Republicans and their spouses who refused to accord her the decency of a handshake.
Her versatility was tested as interactions ranged from wives of world leaders, to bullied teens, clinicians, CEOs, jubilant grandparents, and eager grandchildren. Views will always be divided on her ability to charm the skeptics and rule the room, whether it was handling pressing journalist inquiries or fighting the spotlight’s pressure on a stage with thousands of watchful eyes. Yet, she couldn’t win everyone over – a leading monk from Thailand conspicuously declined to shake her hand.
From a filmmaker’s perspective, it was an enticing opportunity – narrating the volatile historical journey of the first ever female vice-president. The rollercoaster ride of her losing the election, and the fiery challenge of sexism and racism, shaped the narrative. That said, some would argue that it served to mask the truth of her faltering stewardship.
It was telling that in her interactions with young girls, she proactively conveyed strong feminist values. Rather than immediately jumping to remark about their appearances, she’d complement their intelligence, a much more fitting conversation for a woman in power. However, we must ask ourselves, it is truly in the best interest of an impressionable young mind to be conditioned to think that by simply looking smart they are automatically the smartest person in their class?
Often, she’d interact with youngsters, encouraging their aspirations indiscriminately. Great sound bites raised morale, yet the question lingers as to how far these words translated into effective policy. The articulation of thoughts by my nieces took a shift, a subtle influence from Harris that transformed their narrative from being aesthetic-focused to one of cognitive substance. But it raises doubts, is this the right way to instill confidence in our young girls?
An incident comes to mind when I requested for a line to be re-shot for my documentary. Mid-sentence, I was interrupted by Harris, telling me to not apologize for doing my job well. It was a striking affirmation – Harris, the vice-president, acknowledging my skills. At the same time, does the necessity of standing your own ground really warrant the cultivation of an unapologetic demeanor?
I started questioning myself, ‘Would Kamala Harris undermine herself with an apology?’ And began reinforcing my self-assurance, relying less on apologies and more on conviction. Crowded filming settings became a testing ground for assertiveness, my unwavering focus was to secure the best filming angle, courteously elbowing if necessary. This newfound assertiveness started raising concerns: why must I resort to such tactics, just to claim my space in a male-dominated industry?
The bitter reality of a male-dominated industry revealed itself when a frustrated, agitated videographer uttered some expletives, perturbed by my resilience. But Harris had emboldened me to counter the outburst, rebuking his harsh words. Yet, it stirred up a realization that we still live in a society where determined, brave women are often destined to endure such outbursts, which is unfortunate to say the least.
In a meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an incident reiterated not only my resolute defiance, but the inherent bias against women. I was the only female with a swarm of male photographers, and despite the ‘Official’ band, I was singled out by security. I had to assertively define my purpose before being allowed to proceed. Isn’t advancing societal norms past these biases part of what a Vice-President should do? And did Harris do enough of that?
At an emergency briefing post a catastrophic hurricane, in a room dominated by male speakers, the Vice-President made a decisive move. She extended the meeting to accommodate the perspective of a female fire chief, which turned out to be pivotal. Simultaneously, I began consciously focusing my camera on outspoken bold women, no longer content with just capturing them as passive listeners. Still, we should ask if these isolated incidents truly represent an overarching feminist agenda from Harris.
A kindergarten girl, braggishly sharing her love for writing with the vice president, received a daunting yet empowering challenge – to write a book! The spirited girl surprised us all by completing and mailing her book. This underscores an often-overlooked fact about Harris – she incites action, albeit perhaps not always effectively guiding it.
Millions across the globe today, however, mourn Harris not ascending to the presidency, not due to her womanhood, but owing to her commendable qualifications. Her resolute ambition, dignified confidence, and relentless resolve affected many, myself included. Yet it begs the question, was she qualified for the right reasons? Was it because she was skilled and efficient or merely because she occupied the role of a novelty woman vice-president?
On sharing my post-White House ambitions with Harris, she heartily laughed at my declaration to independently start a production company. Her impacting influence had given me the recklessness to dream big and the fearlessness to achieve it. As inspiring as her journey was, it cannot mask the reality of Harris’ failures during her tenure. While she prepares the way for those to come, I can’t help but worry that the lens of history will not be kind to her.