Before sunrise in a Georgian suburb, the audience of a local mosque are subjected to a breakfast discussion about Kamala Harris. Their focus is largely on the influential position held by the South Asian community in the American electoral landscape. Considered as the fastest expanding electorate in Georgia, the South Asian community, particularly its 86,000 eligible voters, seemed to have the power to tilt the scales in any direction. Notably, the 2020 elections saw Joe Biden scrap a measly victory in Georgia by a mere 11,000 votes.
Within Fulton County, there seemed to be a touch of enthusiasm imbued with a degree of apprehension about the position Harris will take on issues affecting the community. ‘I’ve always sought to maintain a neutral political stance. Yet, a level of apathy had set in regarding both candidates prior to Kamala Harris’s entry’, laments one member of the community. ‘I still remain uncertain if I would cast my vote.’
The entry of Harris into the political scene has stirred mixed emotions. Some members of the South Asian community express a sense of exhilaration and identify with her. ‘For the first time in a long time, I feel motivated to do more than just vote,’ opines another political independent.
Parul Kapur, a community member, channels this, organizing meet-ups and even preparing to host her first fundraiser. Asked about her response to Kamala Harris’s vice presidency, she enthusiastically states, ‘Her impressive political journey ignited a novel hope in me – a feeling that someone who shares my origins could potentially become President of the United States.’
Yet, significant portions of the electorate, despite any superficial shared identity, were deeply unsettled by Harris and Biden. Many felt cornered, voting for Biden in a self-perceived act of biting the bullet. The current state of affairs, however, has seen a shift in the sentiment. With Harris in the picture, they claim to feel a semblance of energization.
Peculiarly, the discourse eventually gravitates back towards policy issues. ‘Often, we forget that endless, nonsensical taxation and unhinged inflation harm the robust middle-class section of society,’ a member signs off. Indeed, the economy becomes the focal point of concern – precisely what the upcoming election would inevitably revolve around.
Back at the mosque, a singular issue grips the audience: the war in Gaza. Harris’s stance on the matter is a mystery – one that causes a ripple of skepticism amongst the attendees. ‘As an Asian American and a Muslim, my political perspectives are multifaceted’, argues one of the audience members. ‘The stance on Gaza is indeed my cardinal concern. I remain keen to see how Harris’s stance would diverge from Biden’s’.
Four years ago, Biden was the favorable choice embraced by many Asian American voters. However, support has notably declined, exposing a significant vulnerability that could make or break Harris’s cause. ‘Harris has the potential to drive certain progressive changes, but only if she doesn’t repeat Biden’s errors. It remains to be seen whether she can capitalize on this shifting societal climate,’ warns an observant member of the discussion group.
An elder wistfully reminisces, ‘The face of America has been changing since my arrival here in 1969. The so-called browning of America, the influx of Asians and Indians, has painted a starkly different picture of the country I had first encountered.’
Closing comments draw attention to the fluid nature of political affiliations among the Asian American community. ‘With the right appeals, one could easily sway our electoral loyalty. While I’m leaning towards voting now, I’ll keep some room for unexpected happenings. After all, a lot could change in American politics,’ remarks a man thoughtfully.