On Behalf of Women: Thank You VP Harris
Kamala Harris at rally, 2024
A week ago today, the United States elected a convicted felon as president and once again, proved that it is not ready for a female president. For many people, the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the next President of The United States wasn’t just a hope, but a vision for the future. A woman of color, a daughter of immigrants, and an advocate for issues impacting women, people of color, and marginalized communities, Harris represented a new era of leadership. As the votes rolled in last Wednesday night, it became clear that this vision wouldn’t come true. Instead, many are left grappling with questions: What went wrong? Why weren’t we able to make this breakthrough? And, perhaps most importantly, what do we do with the anxiety, fear, and disappointment that has settled over us like a dark cloud?
First, let’s acknowledge the barriers Harris faced. As the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as Vice President, she walked on political eggshells that few others have had to navigate. Every decision, every policy, every interview was dissected by the public and media. Her every move was analyzed and critiqued with a level of scrutiny often reserved for women and people of color. On top of that, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance brought out a lot of traditionalist and hateful messaging, framing Harris and her supporters as “un-American” and spewing hate not just on a political level, but a personal one. In fact, Vance publicly stated in a rally, “In two days, we’re going to take out the trash, and the trash’s name is Kamala Harris”.
The Trump campaign grappled at Harris’ identity as a Black and South Asian woman and weaponized it in order to have his supporters disapprove of her. Furthermore, Harris lived in the shadow of President Biden and his administration. With many people blaming her for policies under the Biden administration, it has become evident that much of the American public needs a refresher in a United States government course in order to realize the limited amount of power a Vice President truly has.
It’s easy to take these obstacles personally, especially for women who see themselves in Harris. Her struggle felt like our struggle, her critics often like our own. And watching this possibility slip away feels like being told, again, that our voices aren’t ready to be heard at the top. But let’s remember that this loss doesn’t define Harris or the movement for progress. It just shows us what we’re up against, so we can fight smarter and stronger next time. It’s okay to feel frustrated and even heartbroken. If you pinned your hopes on Harris, you’re not just mourning a loss; you’re grappling with the loss of a vision for what our country could have looked like.
So how do we move forward?
Firstly, allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling. There’s no need to “snap out of it” right away. Talk it out with friends or family who feel the same way. Furthermore, yes, this setback stings, but it’s part of a longer story. Enacting change has always been about overcoming obstacles, adjusting, and refusing to back down. In the words of Harris herself in a speech at Howard University after the election, “Sometimes the fight takes a while — that doesn't mean we won't win”.
So, what do we do with all this emotion? The answer is simple: we channel it into action. Harris may not be our president, but the things she stands for are still alive in each of us. Kamala Harris isn’t alone. Across the country, there are countless women in politics working tirelessly to make change. Let’s lift them up, get involved in their campaigns, and push for the leadership we want to see. Representation matters at every level, from city councils to the Senate. Even when it’s hard, don’t turn away from politics. Get educated on the issues that matter to you, sign petitions, attend town halls, and keep holding elected officials accountable. Kamala Harris’s story is far from over. Her career and this election will remain an inspiration, showing young women of every background that they belong at the table. For every young woman who saw herself in Harris, know that her story makes the path a little bit easier for you to walk. And for women who have walked this journey a little longer, her campaign reminds us to keep going, that each step we take brings us a little closer to the equality we’re all fighting for.
Kamala Harris at 2013 San Francisco Pride
Yes, this loss hurts. But if there’s one thing Harris has shown us, it’s that progress isn’t a straight line. We keep fighting for the day when our leadership looks like the people it serves, for the day when women’s voices are a given, not a rarity. The path is long, but we’re not walking it alone. Kamala Harris and the movement of hope and fierceness that surrounded her have shown us the way, and now it’s up to us to carry the torch. Together, let’s build a future where we don’t have to wonder “what could have been” but instead celebrate all that we have achieved.
