This is the most watched US Presidential election in India. And the reasons for it is not the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, who’s a bit of a maverick, to put it mildly, and predisposed to courting controversies. But the lady, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, who would, in all likelihood, if the current popularity polls are of any indication, would be his nemesis. She is the Democratic candidate for the upcoming elections in November this year.
Indians are gaga about Kamala’s candidacy for arguably the most powerful office in the world for she is half Indian, daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father. And for many she is the torchbearer of multicultural identity that mirrors the evolving face of America in the globalised world. She’s living the American dream and is a powerful symbol of the diverse, interconnected world we live in today.
She was born in California to Donald J. Harris and Shyamala Gopalan. They were both immigrants, were intellectual powerhouses in their own rights, and met at U.C. Berkeley while pursuing their studies—Donald in economics and Shyamala in cancer research. They were active in the civil rights movement, together advocating for the rights of the Black and Indian communities.
A romance ensued. They married, had two daughters, Kamala and Maya.
Given her background, it is but obvious, Kamala’s multiculturalism is a cornerstone of her identity. Not just that, Shyamala made sure both her daughters remain deeply connected to their Indian roots. During their reformative years, Summers were spent in India with their grandparents in Chennai.
It was more than just vacations, they imbibed cultural values, a certain way of life and the penchant to public service—to do good for others for no personal gains. Kamala owes her penchant for public service to her grandfather, P.V. Gopalan, a high-ranking government official. Therefore, her Indian connection has had a deep influence in shaping her worldview, and later, her politics.
Concurrently, back in the US, growing up in Oakland, California—a hotbed of social activism—meant that Kamala was also deeply influenced by African American culture and the civil rights movement. The diversity in her upbringing, where she attended both Black Baptist churches and Hindu temples, gave her a firm footing. She, for an early age, understood the nuances of identity and the quest for justice.
Kamala stands at a unique crossroads; her multiculturalism and the broader story of America’s ongoing journey toward equality and inclusivity. She is significant beyond the politics she represents, for she represents the blending of cultures, values, and histories. She is the embodiment of what it means to be American. The American dream in the 21st century.
Her current ‘blended family’ as the BBC puts it, consists of her husband Doug Emhoff, a Los Angeles entertainment lawyer; Cole and Ella Emhoff, her step-children; Kerstin Emhoff, ex-wife of Doug Emhoff or biological mother of her step children; Maya Harris—sister and a lawyer, Meena Harris—niece, Tony West, brother-in-law, step-father to Meena is also a lawyer.
It may just be a sheer coincidence that she is called ‘Kamala’ which in Sanskrit means lotus—a flower that is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, the devi of prosperity and grace, reflects the resilience and growth that Kamala has achieved.
I have not even started talking about breaking the glass ceiling. If she wins, which is not a big ‘if’, Kamala would be the first woman president of the United States, and will redefine what leadership entails in America. She’d be only second, out of the 46 who preceded her, to break the racial barrier.
Her deep-rooted Indian connection makes her a very popular figure here in India, but also across the globe. Her story resonates globally, inspiring many who want to do well in life, break new ground.
She makes Indians proud, and the sentiment was reflected when while addressing the joint session of the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, famously said, “there are millions here who have roots in india. Some of them probably sit in this chamber. And there’s one behind me,” referring to Vice President Kamala, who was co-chairing the session with Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House of Representatives.
Kamala stands at a unique crossroads; her multiculturalism. She represents the blending of cultures, values, and histories; America’s ongoing journey toward equality and inclusivity.
In her ‘nanihaal’ as we North Indians say—that’s the city of maternal grandparents—the village of Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu, her quest for the top office was celebrated with people coming out to streets, rituals were performed, sweets were distributed, blessings were send her way to do well in one of the greatest challenges of her life.
I, a young woman, am inspired by her politics, her speeches, the position she’s taken on various issues. She has spent a lifetime, in various positions of influence, to make America a safer and better place for all, irrespective of their gender, ethnicity or other identities.
The quintessential image of an American President is a white middle-aged man, with wealth and influence, with the notable exception of Barack Obama. In that sense, Kamals is a study in contrast. She represents the masses, those discriminated against, worked in the system and rose ranks, those who made adversity their advantage, those who believed in the power of faith and the American dream.
She takes on the formidable Donald Trump, who to me, represents everything that’s wrong in America and needs to change. In the past eight years, he’s come across as a conservative messiah, and represents the seismic shift in Republican politics. A controversial billionaire, who was a constant fixture in the New York glitterati, even hosted a few reality-shows that did very well, Donald, had held no public office before was elected the 45th President.
As the president, Donald Trump continued to court controversy, some involving criminality, notable amongst them were falsifying his business records, trying to subvert the 2020 Presidential Election in his favour, sexual abuse, and stacking classified documents in his Florida home after losing the re-election to Joe Biden.
However, his fan supporters strongly rally behind him despite having the dubious distinction of becoming the first former President convicted of felony crimes. Perhaps it’s his never say die spirit that ingratiates him to the Republican voter, has a cult-like following.
Kamala is aware of the challenge he poses, and to defeat him is tantamount to breaking from the past, towards a more progressive America where divisive forces won’t win elections. She in her first campaign speech, stating that she has prosecuted many fraudsters and criminals which is the type of person that Donald Trump is. Her slogan is: ‘We are not going back.’ And she will lead the way.
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