Vice President Kamala Harris has the potential to make history in the United States by breaking the glass ceiling with Joe Biden’s support as she considers a presidential run. In January 2021, she already made history by becoming the first African American woman and the first person of Asian descent to serve as vice president.
In March 2023, Biden acknowledged her achievements, stating that she had “broken one glass ceiling after another.” However, these accomplishments do not sit well with authoritarian figures.
Professional and critical journalism is a fundamental pillar of democracy, and this often frustrates those who believe they hold the exclusive truth. Upon receiving Biden’s endorsement, Harris wasted no time declaring her ambition to win the Democratic nomination and defeat Donald Trump.
At 59 years old, Harris recalls her childhood experiences of advocating for civil rights with her Jamaican father, an economics professor, and her Indian mother, a breast cancer researcher. In 2019, she challenged Biden during the primaries for previously opposing a policy aimed at busing Black students to schools in white districts to end racial segregation. “The little girl from the bus was me,” she stated, referencing her personal connection to the issue.
This bold moment did not save her campaign, which ended before the first primary vote. Biden later invited her to join him, putting her in the crosshairs of Trump’s attacks. The Republican candidate labeled her a “monster” and a “angry woman,” invoking racist stereotypes about Black women. After a lackluster debate against Trump on June 27, the 78-year-old billionaire once again targeted Harris, mocking her with the nickname “Kamala the Jovial,” due to her laughter, while his campaign described her as a hardened leftist.
Harris, a graduate of Howard University, which was established to support African American students, takes pride in her professional journey, which exemplifies the American Dream. Before becoming vice president, she served as the district attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011 and was then elected as California’s attorney general twice, making history as the first woman and the first Black person to hold that position in the state.
While her strict approach to minor offenses has drawn criticism for negatively impacting minorities, she made her Senate debut in January 2017, becoming not only the first woman of South Asian descent but also the second Black senator in the history of the United States. During her victory speech as vice president, she honored the women who have fought for equality across the country.
In 2022, Harris passionately defended abortion rights, which were under threat from the Supreme Court. “Some Republican leaders are trying to use the law against women. How dare they tell a woman what she can or cannot do with her own body!” she exclaimed. This powerful statement and her vigorous campaigning across the country have renewed her momentum.
At the onset of her tenure, she faced criticism for missteps in diplomacy and immigration. Supporters argue that negative media attention stems from sexist biases. Vogue even faced backlash for featuring a casual photo of Harris in sneakers on its cover, rather than a more formal portrait that would emphasize her status.
Harris projects a laid-back image, supported by her husband Doug Emhoff, a Jewish lawyer who serves as the “Second Gentleman.” He plays a significant role in the White House’s efforts against antisemitism. On social media, the couple humorously pretends to argue about basketball, with Emhoff rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers and Harris supporting the San Francisco Warriors.
Nicknamed “Momala” by her family, Harris is also known for her culinary skills. During an official visit to Paris, she took the opportunity to buy some copper cookware.
