Black women mobilize for Kamala Harris' campaign, but brace for backlash
More than 40,000 Black women joined a call supporting Harris, but many are concerned her candidacy will spark a backlash.
Black women mobilize for Kamala Harris' campaign and prepare for backlash
On Sunday, as news spread that Kamala Harris would likely be the Democratic nominee for president, Glynda Carr's cell phone buzzed incessantly with texts celebrating this historic moment. Carr, co-founder of an organization supporting Black female candidates, joined a Zoom call that evening with over 44,000 participants, mostly women, who were eager to mobilize support for Harris and pledge their efforts to get-out-the-vote initiatives. The call, which lasted past midnight, raised over $1.5 million for the Harris campaign and demonstrated the enthusiasm and energy that Harris' candidacy has ignited, especially among Black women activists and allies.
However, along with the excitement, there is also a sense of bracing for backlash and criticism aimed at the vice president, who would be the first woman of color to become a major party nominee. Some speakers at the National Republican Convention mispronouncing Harris' name and the growing social media criticisms about her policies, intelligence, and accomplishments have already sparked concerns about the tone of the campaign ahead. Black women activists and leaders are determined to protect, defend, and mobilize against these attacks, recognizing the significance of this moment and the potential for Harris' candidacy to inspire a new generation of voters and leaders.
Tennessee state Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, reflected on the impact a Harris nomination could have on young Black women, recalling her own political journey inspired by Barack Obama's historic campaign in 2008. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, echoed the sentiment, stating that Harris brings a "fresh new level of hope" and has reinvigorated the Democratic Party. Melanie Campbell, chair of the Power of the Ballot Action Fund, also highlighted the importance of this campaign as a seminal moment, particularly for Black voter turnout among women.
Black women-led groups have been instrumental in ramping up get-out-the-vote efforts and building infrastructures to support Black women candidates, such as in Doug Jones' upset victory in Alabama in 2017. Glynda Carr described the "magic of Black women organizing" and the organic nature of these efforts, including the overwhelming turnout on Sunday's Zoom call. Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, emphasized the significance of having a Black woman with the experience and skills to be a great president, and the readiness of people to engage and support Harris' campaign.
However, not everyone shares the same optimism. Some Black women expressed concerns about the challenges of a woman of color running against Donald Trump and the potential for racist and sexist attacks. Activists acknowledged the need to counter these attacks with information campaigns and push back against unfair criticisms. Ange-Marie Hancock, executive director of the Kirwan Institute at The Ohio State University, highlighted the historic nature of Harris' bid and the need to address attacks against her as a woman of color.
With less than four months until Election Day, Black women activists and allies are committed to doubling down on their efforts to mobilize voters and share information about Harris' policies and plans. Freda Player, an elected Metro Nashville school board member and Tennessee Democratic delegate, called Harris' nomination "validating" for Black women, who have long been the "backbone of the Democratic Party." They are inspired, motivated, and ready to face the challenges ahead, knowing that their support is not taken for granted.
On Sunday, as news spread that Kamala Harris would likely be the Democratic nominee for president, Glynda Carr's cell phone buzzed incessantly with texts celebrating this historic moment. Carr, co-founder of an organization supporting Black female candidates, joined a Zoom call that evening with over 44,000 participants, mostly women, who were eager to mobilize support for Harris and pledge their efforts to get-out-the-vote initiatives. The call, which lasted past midnight, raised over $1.5 million for the Harris campaign and demonstrated the enthusiasm and energy that Harris' candidacy has ignited, especially among Black women activists and allies.
However, along with the excitement, there is also a sense of bracing for backlash and criticism aimed at the vice president, who would be the first woman of color to become a major party nominee. Some speakers at the National Republican Convention mispronouncing Harris' name and the growing social media criticisms about her policies, intelligence, and accomplishments have already sparked concerns about the tone of the campaign ahead. Black women activists and leaders are determined to protect, defend, and mobilize against these attacks, recognizing the significance of this moment and the potential for Harris' candidacy to inspire a new generation of voters and leaders.
Tennessee state Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, reflected on the impact a Harris nomination could have on young Black women, recalling her own political journey inspired by Barack Obama's historic campaign in 2008. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, echoed the sentiment, stating that Harris brings a "fresh new level of hope" and has reinvigorated the Democratic Party. Melanie Campbell, chair of the Power of the Ballot Action Fund, also highlighted the importance of this campaign as a seminal moment, particularly for Black voter turnout among women.
Black women-led groups have been instrumental in ramping up get-out-the-vote efforts and building infrastructures to support Black women candidates, such as in Doug Jones' upset victory in Alabama in 2017. Glynda Carr described the "magic of Black women organizing" and the organic nature of these efforts, including the overwhelming turnout on Sunday's Zoom call. Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, emphasized the significance of having a Black woman with the experience and skills to be a great president, and the readiness of people to engage and support Harris' campaign.
However, not everyone shares the same optimism. Some Black women expressed concerns about the challenges of a woman of color running against Donald Trump and the potential for racist and sexist attacks. Activists acknowledged the need to counter these attacks with information campaigns and push back against unfair criticisms. Ange-Marie Hancock, executive director of the Kirwan Institute at The Ohio State University, highlighted the historic nature of Harris' bid and the need to address attacks against her as a woman of color.
With less than four months until Election Day, Black women activists and allies are committed to doubling down on their efforts to mobilize voters and share information about Harris' policies and plans. Freda Player, an elected Metro Nashville school board member and Tennessee Democratic delegate, called Harris' nomination "validating" for Black women, who have long been the "backbone of the Democratic Party." They are inspired, motivated, and ready to face the challenges ahead, knowing that their support is not taken for granted.