Kamala Harris, a person of Indian and Jamaican descent through her immigrant parents, is hoping to carry the mantle of the top office in the country. Should Harris ascend to the presidency, it would mark the first time a Black woman and South Asian has held such power.
Previously standing in the shadows of president hopeful Joe Biden who, at the ripe age of 81, withdrew his candidacy in late July, Kamala now finds herself buzzing on the front lines. She steps up against the formidable opponent, Donald Trump, the 45th president, and the exceptionally noted nominee of the Republican party.
With an unseemly haste after Biden’s withdrawal, the Democratic Party pushed Kamala to the forefront. Born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland, California, Kamala was raised in a average Bay Area household.
Harris was accompanied by a younger sister, Maya, born on January 30, 1967 in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Sharing a mutual bond of survival amidst the tumultuous waves of politics, these sisters have but few gentle memories of their Midwest childhoods.
Donald J. Harris and Shyamala Gopalan, Kamala’s parents, crossed paths for the first time in 1962, at the University of California-Berkeley, whilst both pursuing their advanced studies. They tied the knot a year later, and their first child Kamala followed in 1964, with Maya trailing behind in 1967.
Shortly after Maya’s birth, the family migrated from the West Coast to the Midwestern regions of Illinois and Wisconsin in desperate search for educational opportunities. However, by 1972, the dream was shattered as the couple parted ways.
Shyamala Gopalan decided to retreat with her two daughters back to Oakland, following the divorce. Harboring ambitions, she pursued and obtained a PhD in nutrition and endocrinology from UC-Berkeley the same year Kamala was born.
Shyamala dove into the realm of breast cancer research, securing positions at premier research institutions across the U.S and beyond. Viewed by many as having a notable career, she unfortunately succumbed to colon cancer on February 11, 2009, at the age of 70.
On the other hand, Donald J. Harris, at 86, currently holds the title of an emeritus professor at Stanford University. Drawing his strength from numbers, this economist continues to contribute his part within the confines of academia.
Harris, however, in her pursuit for the top office, seems to have embarked on a path with little public support. Despite her diverse cultural background, many question her suitability for the role given her controversial records during her time as California’s Attorney General.
With Biden’s departure, Harris was abruptly handed the reins of his campaign, leading some to question if the Democratic Party had any concrete plans at all. Or was it simply a hurried decision taken in the middle of a storm?
One can’t help but to ponder upon Kamala’s readiness and suitability for the president’s office. Though at surface level, her journey may present a symbol of racial and gender progress, it however seems like her ascension might be more beneficial to herself than the nation.
Clearly, the Democratic Party’s decision to prop up Harris has raised some pertinent questions about their judgment and the direction in which they are guiding the nation. Anecdotal evidence and popular opinion paints a picture of a political underdog, whose ascent feels less like victory and more like happenstance.
Indeed, grappling with the thought of Harris in an executive role presents a unique challenge for many citizens who expected a more seasoned and widely supported candidate. The whispers of doubt and unease, however prevailing they may be, will continue to follow her journey to the top.