July 21, 2024, marked a significant moment in American history. President Joe Biden, just a week after the Republican National Convention and weeks before the Democratic Convention, announced his resignation from the race, endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris. With only 107 days until the November 5 election, this decision has thrust the nation into a profound contemplation: Is America prepared to elect the first female, South Asian, and African American woman of immigrant parents to the highest office in the land?
The Historical Significance of Kamala Harris’ Candidature
To grasp the historic importance of Harris’ candidacy, one must acknowledge the generations of women who paved the way. Harris’s journey to the White House is built on decades of women’s labor and Black women’s leadership, much of which has been overlooked by mainstream narratives and is only now being recognized due to the burgeoning field of black women’s history.
The Legacy of Black Women’s Leadership
Harris has been groomed for this role through her extensive career as an attorney, senator, attorney general of California, and vice president of the United States. Her selection as Biden’s running mate in 2020 was a pivotal moment for her political career and a milestone in American history. Black women have long been the moral, social, and political backbone of the nation. Even before they were granted the right to vote, Black women campaigned, canvassed, and supported various elections at local, state, and national levels.
During slavery, women like Maria Stewart, an African American abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, voiced their dissatisfaction with American politics publicly. When laws restricted their capabilities, they protested. Sojourner Truth, another iconic figure, testified before a grand jury to advocate for her community’s rights. In the aftermath of slavery, leaders like Ida B. Wells Barnett and thousands of suffragists engaged in marches, demonstrations, and boycotts, devising innovative ways to participate in a political process that had previously excluded them.
The Current Political Landscape
Today, over 140 women hold federal political office in the United States, including 25 senators and 120 congress members. Women from all political parties are influencing critical legislation on issues such as reproductive rights, immigration, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Vice President Harris emphasizes the importance of this election for the future of American democracy. As the late U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) stated, “The minority must participate in civilization. You can tolerate a variety of cultural customs. But, if you are going to implement democracy in governance, the government must enable the minority to be heard.”
Harris’ rise comes at a time when more women hold political office, occupy C-suite positions, run academic institutions, and serve on the Supreme Court. Despite these advancements, Black female candidates for office have faced severe scrutiny, assaults, and harassment. False narratives about Harris’ ascent, targeting her gender, nationality, and race, are rampant on social media. These battles extend beyond politics to other sectors.
For instance, Variety reported that several black women in the entertainment industry are stepping down from senior roles. Legislators in several states are enacting new DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) laws that limit Black women’s professional advancement opportunities in the public sector and at public colleges. Even private sector companies are succumbing to pressure against DEI efforts, as evidenced by Tractor Supply Company’s recent policy reversal.
The Public’s Perception: Surveys and Polls
The public’s perception of a female president is crucial to understanding Harris’ chances in the upcoming election. According to a recent Times/SAY24 survey conducted by YouGov, the proportion of Americans who believe they are ready for a female president has decreased by nine points since 2015. This study, conducted after President Biden’s withdrawal, aimed to analyze the electorate’s opinions on “gender bias” and Vice President Harris’ prospects in November.
While 49 percent of respondents believe Trump and Harris are equally suited for the presidency, there is a noticeable reluctance about the idea of a female president. The survey reveals that 54 percent of respondents say they are ready for a woman president, while 30 percent say they are not. This figure is down from 2015 when an Economist/YouGov survey showed that 63 percent of people were ready for a female president. That study was conducted shortly after Hillary Clinton launched her presidential campaign and just before she became the first woman to receive a major party’s presidential nomination.
As Harris claims to be the second to accomplish such a feat, gender may still pose a significant barrier. Forty-one percent of Americans believe that more than half of their fellow citizens would not vote for a woman over a man if the two candidates were equally competent. This sentiment is also prevalent within the Democratic Party. While 77 percent of Democrats believe the country is ready for a female president, 37 percent think their fellow citizens would not vote for an equally competent woman. This concern has led 35 percent of Democrats to suggest that Harris should choose a male running mate, while only 6 percent believe she should pick a female.
Despite these concerns, among potential Democratic running mates, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer received the highest favorability rating at 27 percent. She has withdrawn her candidacy for vice president to serve as co-chair of the Harris campaign. Former astronaut Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) also poll favorably for the vice-presidential selection, with 22 percent each.
The YouGov poll was conducted among 1,170 registered voters in the United States, with a margin of error of 3 percent.
Kamala Harris’ Preparedness and the Challenges Ahead
As vice president, Harris pledged to support the president and be ready to assume the presidency if necessary. She fulfilled this promise when Biden ended his re-election campaign, securing the nomination and breaking presidential campaign fundraising records.
Skeptics questioning whether America is ready for a South Asian, African American woman likely overlook the extensive history of American women’s struggles and triumphs. Generations of Black women endured capture, the Middle Passage, enslavement, rape, family separation, and gender-based violence. They resisted through various means: refusing to work, avoiding childbirth, committing infanticide to prevent their offspring from being enslaved, taking their own lives, shipping themselves to freedom, and litigating for their liberation. Black women played pivotal roles in the Civil Rights movement, even if men received most of the credit. They also founded the Black Lives Matter movement.
Today, black women hold numerous leadership positions across the country, including mayors, state legislators, and members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. They lead their communities with dignity and respect, often emphasizing gender equity, economic opportunity, and reproductive justice—key priorities in the upcoming election months.
The Future of American Democracy
Whether America is ready for Harris as president depends on the interpretation of its history that people choose to adopt. Is America committed to progress and inclusion, or does it long for a past era? Harris’ candidacy will provide a crucial answer to this question. Her potential presidency represents a historic breakthrough and a test of America’s commitment to diversity and equality.
Kamala Harris’ candidacy for president in 2024 is a historic milestone. Her journey, rooted in the legacy of countless women who fought for their rights, underscores the progress made and the challenges that remain. As America stands on the brink of potentially electing its first female president, the nation must reflect on its values and the path it wishes to take. The upcoming election is more than a political contest; it is a reflection of America’s readiness to embrace diversity and move towards a more inclusive future.
FAQ:
Why did President Joe Biden resign from the 2024 presidential race?
President Joe Biden resigned from the 2024 presidential race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, due to unspecified reasons. His resignation, announced just 107 days before the election, has sparked national debate about America’s readiness to elect its first female, South Asian, and African American president.
What is the historical significance of Kamala Harris’ candidacy?
Kamala Harris’ candidacy is historically significant because she is poised to become the first female, South Asian, and African American president. Her journey reflects the culmination of decades of women’s labor and Black women’s leadership, often overlooked in mainstream narratives but crucial in shaping American history.
How has the public’s perception of a female president changed since 2015?
According to a recent Times/SAY24 survey conducted by YouGov, the proportion of Americans who believe they are ready for a female president has decreased by nine points since 2015. In 2015, 63 percent of people were ready for a female president, while the latest survey shows only 54 percent are ready, with 30 percent still not ready.
What role have Black women played in American political history?
Black women have been the moral, social, and political backbone of the nation. From the era of slavery to the Civil Rights movement and beyond, Black women have campaigned, protested, and led significant initiatives for justice and equality, often without receiving due recognition.
What challenges does Kamala Harris face as a female candidate?
Kamala Harris faces several challenges, including gender bias and scrutiny based on her gender, nationality, and race. Surveys indicate a reluctance among some Americans to accept a female president, and false narratives about her rise continue to circulate on social media.
What do the recent surveys say about Americans’ readiness for a female president?
The recent Times/SAY24 survey indicates that while 54 percent of Americans say they are ready for a female president, 30 percent are not. Additionally, 41 percent believe that more than half of their fellow citizens would not vote for a woman over a man if both were equally competent.
How does the Democratic Party view the possibility of a female president?
Within the Democratic Party, 77 percent believe the country is ready for a female president. However, 37 percent think their fellow citizens would not vote for an equally competent woman, and 35 percent of Democrats suggest that Harris should choose a male running mate.
Who are the potential running mates for Kamala Harris?
mong potential Democratic running mates, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer received the highest favorability rating at 27 percent, but she has withdrawn her candidacy to serve as co-chair of the Harris campaign. Former astronaut Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) also poll favorably, each with 22 percent.
What has been Kamala Harris’ career trajectory leading to her candidacy?
Kamala Harris has had an extensive career, serving as an attorney, senator, attorney general of California, and vice president of the United States. Her selection as Biden’s running mate in 2020 was a significant milestone, and she has since been a prominent figure in American politics.
What implications does Harris’ candidacy have for American democracy?
Harris’ candidacy represents a historic breakthrough and a test of America’s commitment to diversity and equality. Whether America is ready for Harris as president depends on its citizens’ interpretation of history and values, potentially signaling a move towards a more inclusive and progressive future.