Member-only story
Kamala Harris Is Our Symbol of a Better Future
With our rights in the crosshairs, the vice president-elect is exactly the kind of feminist figurehead we need right now
Sen. Kamala Harris has just shattered a number of ceilings: On Saturday, she became the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first Indian-American woman to be elected vice president of the United States. After days of tensely counting votes, and four years of horrific racism and misogyny from the Trump administration, Harris’ elevation is more than just a win — it’s a salve for those of us who have been so discouraged by the bigotry of our fellow citizens, and a symbol for an American future that doesn’t look quite so homogenous.
I’ll admit, of course, that I wish a woman was moving directly in the oval office. It stings that a young dynamic politician like Harris has made it to the White House via Joe Biden, who will be the oldest president in history. It’s a reminder that too many Democrats didn’t believe that a female candidate could win against Donald Trump; and given how close the vote was, that bet on sexism may have been right.
But as far as 2020 goes — I’ll take it. I won’t be too greedy (for now). Besides, we’re going to need as many feminist wins as we can get. Between the appointment of religious…
