In light of recent remarks by Donald Trump regarding Kamala Harris’ racial/ethnic identity, it is unfortunate that I had previously mentioned in a recent post that Harris had highlighted her Indian heritage in the past.
To make it clear, I do not agree with Trump’s views. I do not believe that Harris is pretending to be black, and just because she once focused on her Indian heritage publicly does not mean she is insincere about her black identity.
It is absurd and offensive to suggest that she cannot identify with both her black and Indian backgrounds, which she has done openly throughout her career. Her father was black, her mother is Indian, and she has embraced both cultures and identities.
Depending on the context, Harris may emphasize one identity over the other – whether it’s cooking Indian food with Mindy Kaling or addressing her historically black sorority. Politically, there may be reasons to highlight one identity over the other, as is expected of a politician.
As someone who has written a book on racial classification in the US, I have observed that Harris does not often refer to herself as “multiracial.” This is understandable, considering the historical context of racial classification and her own upbringing.
UPDATE: Trump’s recent statement during an interview at a conference of black journalists insinuates that Harris is exploiting her black identity. This seems to be a tactic to sway black voters against her by falsely portraying her as someone who has only recently embraced her black heritage.
