Kamala Harris’s nomination as Vice President and later as a presidential nominee has brought her racial and ethnic background into the spotlight. Understanding her identity requires looking at her unique heritage and how she and others perceive her race.
The daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, Kamala Harris embodies a multiracial identity that reflects the evolving demographics of the United States. During the Democratic National Convention, Harris subtly yet powerfully highlighted her background, connecting with a broad audience through her personal story and family.
Instead of explicitly stating historical firsts, Harris chose to emphasize her upbringing. She spoke of her mother, a “brown woman,” and her Caribbean father. She painted a picture of her California Bay Area community, a diverse “village” of “aunties” and “uncles.” The visual message was further reinforced when relatives of various racial backgrounds, some in saris alongside Western clothing, joined her onstage. This presentation was a deliberate effort to showcase her personal narrative in a way that resonates with the increasing number of Americans who identify with multiracial families. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that 12.5% of U.S. residents identified as being of two or more races in 2022, a significant rise from 3% a decade prior.
It’s important to remember the historical context surrounding race in America. The nation has a history deeply marked by slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination. Even political conventions once denied equal representation to Black Americans. This history was implicitly acknowledged at the convention, with many attendees wearing white in tribute to the women’s suffrage movement.
Political Opponents and the Issue of Race
Despite the clear and consistent way Kamala Harris has presented her background, her racial identity has been questioned and politicized, particularly by her political opponents. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned her Black heritage and falsely suggested she has shifted her racial presentation for political gain. Similarly, JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, has used terms like “chameleon” to describe Harris, implying her identity is inauthentic and adaptable for political convenience. These attacks often suggest that Harris is not genuinely Black or is somehow misrepresenting her identity.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore aptly noted, “the word that continues to force the pendulum swing is race” in American politics. He highlighted the ongoing national struggle with conversations about diversity and racial progress, emphasizing that race remains a central and often contentious issue in American society.
During the convention roll call, some delegates made a point of mentioning Harris’s middle name, Devi, as a clear acknowledgement of her South Asian heritage, countering attempts to erase or diminish this part of her identity. Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton directly referenced Harris’s race, connecting her achievement to the legacy of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and a presidential candidate. Sharpton stated that Chisholm would be proud to see a Black woman accepting a major party’s presidential nomination. Comedian D.L. Hughley also addressed the issue head-on, humorously refuting Trump’s insinuations by stating, “Kamala has been Black longer than Trump has been a Republican,” highlighting the absurdity of questioning Harris’s long-standing Black identity.
Kamala Harris Speaks to Her Roots Directly
Kamala Harris herself has consistently spoken about her background. Drawing parallels with Barack Obama, who acknowledged his Kenyan and Kansan heritage, and Hillary Clinton, who celebrated the nomination of the first woman for president, Harris placed her own historic nomination within the context of progress and evolving identities in America.
She directly addressed her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants in Oakland, California, an area with a rich African American history and the birthplace of the Black Panther Party. Harris poignantly described her mother as a “brilliant, five-foot-tall, brown woman with an accent” and recounted witnessing the prejudices her mother faced. She emphasized the values instilled by her mother: “never complain about injustice but to do something about it” and “never do something ‘half-assed.’” Harris also spoke of her father’s encouragement to take risks, with his repeated urging: “Run Kamala! Run! Don’t be afraid. Don’t let anything stop you.”
Further underscoring her mother’s influence, a biographical video played at the convention featured Harris explaining that her Indian mother raised her and her sister as Black, recognizing how the world would primarily perceive them. This upbringing reflects a conscious embrace of her Black identity within the context of American racial dynamics.
Reactions to a Historic Moment
Kamala Harris’s historic nomination was deeply significant for many, particularly Black women and those who identify with multiracial backgrounds. Her connection to Howard University, a Historically Black University, and her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically Black sorority, are integral to her identity and were celebrated during this moment.
Many members of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Divine Nine, a council of historically Black fraternities and sororities, were present in Chicago and in the Bay Area to witness this historic event. Shannon Nash, who traveled from the Bay Area, expressed the profound importance of witnessing history, stating, “To be able to tell my grandkids I was here when it happened is just super important.” Nash, who is Black, spoke of older relatives who had seen Harris become Vice President but also those, like her late grandmother, who would have been deeply moved to see a Black woman nominated for president. Pat Pullar, a delegate from Georgia, echoed this sentiment, saying witnessing Harris’s nomination was something she wanted to experience “before I leave this earth,” feeling a connection to her ancestors in this moment of progress.
Kamala Harris’s race is complex and multifaceted. She is both Black and South Asian, an identity that reflects the increasingly diverse fabric of America. Her story and heritage resonate with many, and her political journey continues to spark important conversations about race, identity, and representation in the United States.
