Kamala Harris: CA Senator turned first female POC VP elect
By Riya Khatod, Staff Writer
Former California Senator Kamala Harris made history on Nov. 7 by becoming the first female vice president elect along with becoming the first black and South Asian vice president elect.
Harris’ political involvement started at a young age. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris and father, Donald Harris introduced Harris to the world of political advocacy. She began her political career as a San Francisco District Attorney and was elected to serve as California’s first black attorney general. In 2016 she became a California senator and four years later ran for president of the United States. After conceding in the primaries, president elect Joe Biden selected Harris as his running mate, and on Nov. 7, the two were announced as president and vice president elect of the United States.
In her victory speech, Harris reminisced about the hundreds of women of color who paved the way for her vice presidency and said that she would try to do the same for millions of girls watching.
“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities,” said Harris during her speech.
Her speech and election inspired some students at Samo, including Egan Waktole (’23).
“Her being a woman and person of color and still getting so many people to support her really shows me that women people of color will have better opportunities and the world is becoming a better place. Specifically, she inspires me to take a stand and makes me want to run for a leadership position in school,” Waktole said.
Other students, including Beatty Swett (’23), are excited about the election of a woman into the second highest office, but are also skeptical of the detrimental effects Harris’ past actions as a prosecutor could have on her decisions as a vice president.
“Kamala is a strong woman who is very inspirational, but while she was a prosecutor in California she arguably ruined people’s lives and I want someone in office that prioritizes people’s lives. That being said, I believe she always thought she was doing what was best for society and will continue to think of everyone while in office,” Swett said.
Lilah Fienberg (’23) is also concerned about Harris’ past controversial opinions.
“Her actions in the past worry me a little bit, especially her opinions on criminal justice and justice reform, but I think that people’s opinions change as time passes and I am confident that she will do a good job,” Fienberg said.
On Jan. 20, 2020, Harris will make history as the first female vice president.
