In a historic moment at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris stood onstage as the first woman of Black and South Asian heritage to be nominated for president by a major political party. Though she didn’t explicitly highlight the racial and gender milestones she would achieve if elected, her presence and the imagery around her were powerful symbols of the diversity and complexity of American identity.
Harris’s speech was marked by direct references to her multiracial background and upbringing. She paid homage to her roots as the daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, emphasizing the multicultural environment in which she was raised. She honored the “village” of “aunties” and “uncles” in California’s Bay Area who helped shape her life. This setting, rich in cultural diversity, was reflected in the people who joined her onstage after her speech for the traditional balloon drop—family members and close friends who, like Harris, embodied multiple and overlapping racial identities. The sight of relatives in Western attire standing alongside others in saris was a visual celebration of her unique heritage and an implicit message of inclusivity.
This visual narrative was significant not only for what it represented about Harris personally but also for its broader political appeal. It resonated with many Americans who see their own experiences mirrored in her story. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest comprehensive survey, around 12.5% of U.S. residents identified as two or more races in 2022, a sharp increase from 3% a decade earlier. Harris’s candidacy, with its emphasis on multiracial identity, taps into the growing recognition and visibility of mixed-race Americans.
The convention took place against the backdrop of a nation still grappling with its history of racial injustice. From the enslavement of African Americans to the enforcement of segregation and the long-standing exclusion of non-white immigrants, the United States has a complex and often painful history of race relations. The struggle for voting rights and equal representation for Black Americans was also keenly felt at political conventions, making Harris’s nomination even more poignant. Many attendees wore white in homage to the suffrage movement, which fought for women’s voting rights, underscoring the significance of Harris’s candidacy not just for racial progress but for gender equality as well.
Despite these historic strides, Harris’s heritage has been scrutinized and questioned by her opponents. Former President Donald Trump, in particular, has repeatedly questioned her Black identity and suggested that she has conveniently shifted her racial presentation to suit political needs. Similarly, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Trump’s running mate, referred to Harris as a “chameleon,” implying that her policy positions and even her accent change depending on the audience.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who spoke at the convention, addressed this dynamic, noting that race continues to be a central force in American politics. He emphasized that the country has experienced “fits and starts” in its conversations about diversity and racial progress, highlighting that the underlying issue of race remains unresolved in many ways.
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During the convention’s roll call, delegates proudly announced Harris’s middle name, Devi, as a nod to her South Asian heritage. This was just one of several moments during the convention when Harris’s race and background were celebrated. Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, for instance, invoked the legacy of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president, and suggested that Chisholm would be proud of Harris’s achievements.
Comedian D.L. Hughley also addressed the issue head-on, dismissing Trump’s claims that Harris had downplayed her Black identity. “Kamala has been Black longer than Trump has been a Republican,” Hughley quipped, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
Harris herself spoke movingly about her roots, drawing a direct line between her upbringing and her political philosophy. She recounted how her Indian mother, a brilliant woman with a strong accent, taught her and her sister to never complain about injustice but to act against it. Her mother’s influence, combined with the encouragement of her Jamaican father, shaped Harris’s resilience and determination to pursue justice without compromise.
As the convention concluded, the significance of Harris’s nomination was clear to all in attendance, including many of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters and members of the Divine Nine, the coalition of historically Black fraternities and sororities. For many, like Shannon Nash, who traveled from the Bay Area to witness the moment, Harris’s nomination represented a historic milestone. Nash reflected on the joy and hope that had characterized the convention, expressing pride in being part of this momentous occasion.
The nomination of Kamala Harris for president is not just a personal achievement but a historic marker in the nation’s ongoing journey toward a more inclusive and representative democracy. For many Americans, particularly those who share her multiracial background, Harris’s candidacy is a powerful affirmation of their own identities and a hopeful sign of the future.
