Games' closing ceremony 📷 Olympics highlights Perseid meteor shower 🚗 Car, truck recalls: List
NEWSLETTER
Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris' 'story reflects the experience of millions'

Portrait of Lindsay Deutsch Lindsay Deutsch
USA TODAY

This morning, the sun rose and Kamala Harris was vice president of the United States.

When Vice President Harris took the oath from Justice Sonya Sotomayor outside the U.S. Capitol yesterday, she became the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first woman of South Asian descent to hold the office.

To state the obvious, it's a big deal.

As we look ahead to the blank slate of a new administration, it's exciting to imagine Harris' legacy, and to appreciate the representation she's already brought.

When it was announced that Harris was the pick for VP, "This is America" writers Fatima Farha and Kaanita Ayer described the hope they felt for the future. (Spoiler: Dancing to Bollywood music was involved.)

This week, we are highlighting some inspiring, can't-miss essays about Harris. USA TODAY's Eileen Rivers asked famous female authors, newsmakers, activists, politicians and pundits to share what Harris' election means to them. Every perspective is worth a read in full. Here are some of our favorite excerpts: 

But first, race and justice news we're watching

Important news from the past week, from USA TODAY and other news sources.

Icons share Harris' impact

"Representation is powerful. Women, and especially women of color, have waited generations to finally see themselves at the highest level of government. Not only is Harris the first such woman to ascend to the second highest office in our country — she is also the daughter of immigrants. Her story reflects the experience of millions of Americans. Little girls will finally be able to see themselves fully reflected in their government."

-Rep. Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative, Minnesota’s 5th congressional district

"As the likely tie-breaking vote on many important issues over the next few years, Harris will play a key role, including potentially casting the crucial vote that will bring democracy reforms to President-elect Joe Biden’s desk. We will have finally established a government that represents all people."

-Rahna Epting, Executive director, MoveOn.org

"With Harris in the Oval Office, advising President-elect Joe Biden, it is reassuring that her insight and perspective will be heard during the most pressing debates. Black Lives Matter expects her to remind Biden and their administration that the work of Black movements has always been about healing the soul of America. We will need Harris to not just be a representative in name but also in advancing bold progressive policy."

-Patrisse Cullors, Co-founder, Black Lives Matter

"Finally, finally, a Black woman will be responsible for realizing the reforms our nation sorely needs — and we will encourage and push her to do so. It’s time now for a democracy that works for all of us, not just those at the top — one that prioritizes justice, equality, voting rights, the environment and our well-being. With Harris, America will have a vice president who knows what it means to be a Black woman in a country that too often takes our experiences and needs for granted (until it desperately needs us to save itself)."

-Nsé Ufot, Chief executive officer, New Georgia Project

Read all of the essays here. Want to join the discussion? Tell us: What does the election of the nation’s first woman to the second highest office in the free world mean to you? Send your comments to letters@usatoday.com.

More perspectives on Harris

--

This is America is a weekly take on current events from a rotating panel of USA TODAY Network journalists with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. If you're seeing this newsletter online or someone forwarded it to you, you can subscribe here. If you have feedback for us, we'd love for you to drop it here.

Featured Weekly Ad