Johnson said the moment - a "culmination of the tireless work" of other black women activists and lawmakers like Shirley Chisholm and Rosa Parks, was "long overdue", and every American, regardless of party, should be proud of this milestone. "That it comes at a time in which black Americans face dueling threats from a global health crisis and ingrained racism is all the more powerful." Today’s announcement of a black woman, Senator Kamala Harris, as the first vice-presidential candidate of a major political party, breaks down one of these barriers in historic proportions.
"But their representation in the highest levels of government has never matched their unwavering participation in our democracy. "Throughout the history of this nation, black women have been at the forefront of moving us toward a more representative and unified society," says NAACP president Derrick Johnson. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), America's largest grassroots civil rights organisation, called Harris's selection as vice-presidential candidate a "defining moment in US history". She adds: “He was just really excited to hear that there’s a black leader on the presidential ticket.” She ran and told her eight-year-old son, Nathan, (pictured with her) explaining “how historical it was”. On a personal level, she says she was thrilled to hear the announcement. The California senator attended Howard University, a historically black college and is “a voice for racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement”, says Ms Walker. Ms Walker believes Harris would challenge Biden on issues and would bring an important perspective to the executive branch. "That’s why she’s a good choice," says George Mason University’s LaNitra Walker, a member of the affiliate faculty on African Americans studies. Trump claimed the senator was "extraordinarily nasty" towards Kavanaugh, who was later confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.įamily handout Copyright: Family handout LaNitra Walker teaches African Americans studies Image caption: LaNitra Walker teaches African Americans studiesĪs a presidential candidate, Kamala Harris went after Joe Biden during a debate, calling him out for his opposition to school busing in the 1970s and telling her own personal story about desegregation. He also said he would not forget Harris's assertive questioning of Brett Kavanaugh, one of Trump's picks for the Supreme Court who was accused of sexual misconduct, during the judge's confirmation hearing.
She did very very poorly in the primaries as you know," he says. Trump claimed Harris was his "number one draft pick" to be named as Biden's running-mate. "She's in favour of socialised medicine," he says, claiming that she wants to strip health insurance from 180m Americans. She’s against petroleum products," he continues, saying that her anti-fossil fuel believes could cost her in some states such as Pennsylvania. "She wants to slash funds for our military at a level which nobody can even believe," he says. "She is a person that has told many many stories that weren’t true. Trump is now laying into Harris during his White House briefing. It's a lesson that clearly escaped our current president." "This is a historic moment, and I know that her leadership, experience, and character will help move our country forward when she and Joe Biden take back the White House!"įormer South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg said Harris has fought "tirelessly for justice, dignity and equality for All Americans" and that he "can't wait" to call her vice-president.īillionaire Mike Bloomberg, former New York City mayor, said Harris was a "smart choice who will be a strong partner in the White House" while offering a criticism of President Trump, saying: "The best executives know that you're only as good as the team you build. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, another rising party star and black American, wrote: "I'm proud to call Kamala Harris my dear friend and sister - and next year, I'll be even more proud to call her our vice-president.Īmy Klobuchar, US Senator from Minnesota, said she was "filled with joy" that Harris is the nominee. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote that she's known Harris a long time and that she's always been "unafraid and an inspiration to millions of women who see themselves in her". Many former Biden and Harris rivals for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination have weighed in to offer their praise and congratulations on Twitter.
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