Mia Cho
Managing Editor
On Nov. 7, Democratic Party presidential candidate Joe Biden exceeded 270 electoral college votes, winning the presidential election. A global pandemic, friction between the candidates and President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede are a few of the unprecedented circumstances of this year’s presidential election. Although Biden winning the election is especially significant because of his lifetime dedication to public service, Kamala Harris’ election to the vice presidency is just as significant or possibly even more so.
Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, previously served as the 32nd Attorney General of California and in the Senate as a representative for California.
Her election to the vice presidency brings a number of firsts to the White House; she is the first woman, first Black person, first Indian American and first Asian American to hold the position. Her groundbreaking election to the Oval Office expands beyond the years she will serve as vice president, as it breaks the long-held racial and gender barriers in American politics.
Her election to the vice presidency is especially significant due to the impact it will have on future generations. Since the beginning of this country’s history, there has been a gender and racial barrier in American politics, which is evident in the race and gender of those who have held the position in the past. Women, especially women of color, have been plagued with the preconceived stereotype of being emotional, and having no place in American politics. Harris’ election to the vice presidency breaks these stereotypes and normalizes women of color in American politics. Now, younger generations can look up to Harris as not only an accomplished person in American politics, but as an example of what anyone can achieve with hard work and lots of dedication to one’s goal.
Her election to the vice presidency is especially significant to the Black community. Having endured generations of systemic racism as a remnant of slavery, Black people have experienced countless forms of racism in the form of police brutality, disparities in the justice system, and discrepancies in quality of education. Due to these disadvantages and stereotypes, Black people, especially women, have been handicapped in running for positions of public office in American politics.
Harris’ election to the vice presidency breaks outdated precedents of a white male serving as vice president, and sets a new precedent of universalizing the prevalence of women in American politics. Her election to the vice presidency shattered long-held racial and gender barriers in American politics and as a result, her legacy will last well beyond her groundbreaking service as vice president of the United States of America.
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