Why I’m supporting Kamala Harris

Shekar Narasimhan: “Let’s go win this for and with Kamala Harris.”

I admit I’m biased.  My mother and Kamala Devi Harris’ mother were both born in Chennai. Probably only a few years and a few miles apart. She still has family there, and so do we. And it’s 50 years since I came to America.

Our Vice President’s story is that of a daughter of immigrants. The fact is that she was brought up Black by a single mom with her Indian roots, in one of few multi-racial households at that time (there are now 11 million such individuals in the U.S.).

This makes complete sense if you contextualize it. And her marriage to Doug Emhoff, a high-quality individual in his own right, whose empathy and message are so clear- her voice and his are really one. Her stubborn belief in herself (taking after her mother) is something to be admired and what has contributed to her meteoric rise.

READ: Kamala Harris wins enough delegates to win Democratic nod (July 23, 2024)

So, other than this pride and common heritage, there are so many values we share.  And this is not about party or ideology.  It’s more fundamental. As my father taught me, you don’t need to change your name to be accepted; and as my mother taught me, you don’t have to become somebody else to be respected.

Our Vice President embodies these values of family, tradition, education and critically, uplifting all people. Despite all the hurdles (not Indian enough or not Black enough or whatever!) she is succeeding in ways that are unimaginable for a first-generation American.

READ: Indian American groups endorse Kamala Harris for President (July 22, 2024)

I should also say that this is not accidental, it’s karmic. January 20, 2025, will be a bright, sunny and cold day in Washington, DC, when we see it culminate. And then to going with her to Chennai and seeing her greeted by huge adoring crowds!

But it will only happen if millions of us truly believe in this dream of a multicultural, pluralistic democracy and vote like our lives depend on it. Let’s go win this for and with Kamala Harris.