Ms. Harris Is In the Building
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The first female VP is changing the way we look at modern politics.
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris will be sworn in as not only the United States’ first female vice president but one who is also of Jamaican and Indian descent. When she was born in Oakland, CA, her mother chose the name Kamala for its meaning – “lotus” and empowerment of women.
Vice President-elect Harris graduated from the historically black Howard University, where she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She then attended and graduated from University of California Hastings College of the Law.
While she has been accused of political and career opportunism and flip-flopping stances on issues such as health care and the death penalty, Kamala stated early on that she wanted to “change the system from the inside.”
She’s making some change, alright. Strong women with various non-white ethnic heritages, such as Kamala, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib are all changing the literal face of what leadership looks like.
Kamala is a serious businesswoman, with mid-progressive views and focused plans. But she also collects Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers and loves to cook and read.
Having that dichotomy within herself is part of what makes her who she is, and she is so comfortable with it. In a 2019 interview with The Washington Post, Kamala stated a sentiment that we all should carry home with us: “I am who I am. I’m good with it. You might need to figure it out, but I’m fine with it.”
Emily Cunningham is a freelance magazine writer with a passion for wildlife conservation, social issues, and artistic pursuits including dance, creative writing, and handmade art.
