Kamala Harris ran a historic campaign. What will her legacy be?
Consider This from NPR
Deep Dive
Why did Kamala Harris's candidacy resonate with some voters?
Her racial identity and stance on reproductive rights made her appealing to women of color who felt represented by her.
What challenges did Kamala Harris face due to her identity?
Some voters believed her identity cost her the election, citing sexism and racism as significant factors.
How did Harris's candidacy impact young Black women?
It inspired them, reinforcing the idea that their voices matter and they are worthy of leadership positions.
What did Tressie McMillan Cottom feel about Harris's candidacy?
She felt a mix of significance and disappointment, questioning the depth of hopefulness and optimism she expected from a Black woman leading a major party's ticket.
What does Tressie McMillan Cottom believe Black women deserve from the Democratic Party?
More than just being seen as saviors of democracy, they deserve real institutional support and attention to their broader political interests.
How did the Democratic Party's support for Harris compare to her fundraising success?
While Harris raised significant funds, the party's institutional support, especially for Black women down ballot, was lacking, potentially weakening her campaign's mobilization efforts.
What lessons can future Black women candidates learn from Harris's campaign?
They should leverage the historic nature of their candidacy, build broad coalition support, and demonstrate their ability to raise substantial funds with proper institutional backing.
How did Harris's campaign challenge perceptions of women in leadership?
By running as an aggressive foreign policy hawk and discussing various policy areas, Harris showed that women can embody presidential power beyond traditional gender-associated topics.
- Charmanda Jean-Francois, a senior at Howard University, found Harris's candidacy inspiring.
- Harris's racial identity and stance on reproductive rights resonated with many women of color.
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