Kamala Harris made history as the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American Vice President of the United States. This groundbreaking achievement has naturally led to widespread interest in her background, particularly the question: What Ethnicity Is Kamala Harris? Understanding her heritage requires exploring the diverse roots that shape her identity and public persona.
Kamala Harris’s ethnicity is multiracial. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was a biomedical scientist who immigrated to the United States from India. Her father, Donald Harris, is an economist who immigrated from Jamaica. This rich and diverse parentage means that Kamala Harris identifies as both Black and South Asian American.
Born and raised in Oakland, California, Harris’s upbringing was immersed in a multicultural environment. She has often spoken of the profound influence of her mother, who raised her daughters to be proud of their Indian heritage while also understanding that they would be perceived and treated as Black women in America. This awareness of both her South Asian and Black identities is central to understanding Kamala Harris’s perspective and political journey. She has frequently referenced her “aunties” and “uncles” from her diverse community in the Bay Area, highlighting the importance of her extended family and community in shaping her values and worldview.
The concept of race and ethnicity has been a recurring theme throughout American history and political discourse, and Kamala Harris’s background is no exception. Her opponents have at times attempted to politicize her identity. For example, former President Donald Trump and his allies have questioned the authenticity of her Black heritage, despite her consistent acknowledgment of it and her deep ties to the African American community, including her attendance at Howard University, a historically Black university, and her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a historically Black sorority. Such questioning often reveals a misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation of multiracial identities and the complex ways individuals experience and express their heritage.
It is important to recognize that ethnicity is not a monolithic concept. For Kamala Harris, her ethnicity is a tapestry woven from both her South Asian and African American roots. During the Democratic National Convention, this duality was intentionally highlighted. While accepting the nomination, Harris paid tribute to her mother as a “brown woman” and her Caribbean father. The visual representation on stage, with family members in both Western attire and saris, further emphasized the multiracial reality of her family and, increasingly, of America itself. The inclusion of her middle name, Devi, during the roll call vote served as a deliberate nod to her South Asian lineage.
The significance of Kamala Harris’s ethnicity extends beyond her personal story. It reflects the evolving demographics of the United States, where increasing numbers of people identify as multiracial. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population identifying as two or more races has significantly increased in recent decades. Harris’s prominent position on the national stage provides representation and visibility for these growing segments of the population. Moreover, her nomination and election are seen by many as milestones in the ongoing struggle for racial and gender equality in the United States. As civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton noted, her achievement is a moment that pioneers like Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president on a major party ticket, would have been proud to witness.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris’s ethnicity is best understood as multiracial, encompassing both her South Asian and African American heritages. This dual identity is a source of strength and a reflection of her unique life experience. Her journey and her presence in the highest levels of American government not only answer the question “what ethnicity is Kamala Harris?” but also open up broader conversations about identity, representation, and the changing face of American leadership in the 21st century.
