Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Kamala Devi Harris was born in Oakland, California, to immigrant parents Shyamala Gopalan and Donald J. Harris in 1964. Shyamala, who was from Tamil Nadu, was a biologist whose research on the progesterone receptor gene significantly advanced breast cancer studies. Kamala's father, Donald J. Harris, is a Jamaican-American economist and professor emeritus at Stanford University, known for applying post-Keynesian ideas to developmental economics.Kamala’s parents were active in the civil rights movement. The Harris family moved to Illinois in 1966 where Kamala’s younger sister, Maya, was born. Shyamala Gopalan later returned to California with her two daughters in 1970 after her divorce with Harris. Kamala attended Berkeley's desegregated schools until the family shifted to Montreal.
Kamala Harris is half-Black, half-Indian, quintessentially American
Kamala Harris had a diverse cultural upbringing, equally in touch with her Indian and Black roots. Her mother introduced Kamala to Hinduism and took her daughters to a nearby Hindu temple. The pair also sang in the children’s choir of an African-American church, and Gopalan visited the African American Cultural Centre with her daughters. Kamala maintained strong ties with her Indian family, visiting them in Chennai several times. Her maternal grandfather, P. V. Gopalan, was a retired Indian civil servant whose progressive views on democracy and women's rights reportedly left a lasting impact on Kamala. Harris also visited her father’s family in Jamaica. Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black university, and graduated with a degree in political science and economics. She then attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was the president of the Black Law Students Association. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is a Jewish lawyer. They met on a blind date set up by a friend. Harris is stepmother Cole and Ella Emhoff, Doug’s children from his marriage with film producer Kerstin Emhoff.
Kamala Harris is a formidable debater
Harris's legal background and experience in high-stakes environments contribute to her reputation as a skilled and persuasive debater. Her skills were honed during her time as a prosecutor and later as California's attorney general – the top law enforcement office of America’s most populous state. She gained national attention for her incisive questioning of witnesses during US Senate hearings, notably during the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings and the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. During the 2020 Democratic primaries, Harris's debate performances were notable, particularly when she challenged Joe Biden on issues of race and segregation. As vice president, her debate with Mike Pence was marked by her calm demeanour, precise responses, and effective counterpoints.
Kamala Harris is not part of the radical Left
Though generally seen as a progressive, some of Harris’s past positions reflect a more conservative or centrist politics. As a prosecutor and later as California's attorney general, Harris adopted a tough-on-crime stance, supporting measures like anti-truancy laws that led to prosecuting parents of chronically truant children. She defended the state's death penalty in court despite personally opposing it. Her initial support for the Secure Communities program, which involved local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement, also aligns with more conservative views. Harris took a cautious approach to some business regulations, opting for significant financial settlements with major banks during the foreclosure crisis rather than more aggressive penalties. And three days after becoming California’s attorney general, she argued to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Sikh man who was denied a government job because of his religion-mandated beard.
Kamala Harris is a staunch feminist
Kamala Harris had championed women’s rights and equality throughout her career. As vice president, she prioritised reproductive rights, opposing efforts to restrict access to abortion and supporting the codification of Roe v. Wade to ensure women's autonomy over their bodies. Harris has consistently championed access to affordable contraception and comprehensive healthcare for women.
During her tenure as California's Attorney General, she fought against gender discrimination and human trafficking, ensuring the protection and empowerment of women. In the Senate, Harris co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act to address wage disparities and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act to enhance protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Harris has also pushed for policies that support working mothers, including affordable childcare and paid family leave.
Kamala Harris and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government have not seen eye to in the past
Kamala Harris and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government do not have a great bonhomie. In 2019, Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal had moved a resolution in the House of Representatives on the situation in Kashmir. In protest, external affairs minister S Jaishankar refused to attend a meeting with the US House Foreign Affairs Committee because of Jayapal’s presence.
Harris supported Jayapal, who also traces her roots to Tamil Nadu.
“It's wrong for any foreign government to tell Congress what members are allowed in meetings on Capitol Hill. I stand with @RepJayapal, and I'm glad her colleagues in the House did too,” Harris had tweeted then.
