Milwaukee, August 20, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello
Kamala Harris: A Reflection of America’s Changing Demographics
Historic Candidacy Reflects Multiracial America
Kamala Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, embodies the evolving demographics of the United States. When she steps onto the stage in Chicago on Thursday evening to accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, she will represent the country’s fastest-growing racial category. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 42 million Americans, or 13% of the population, now identify as multiracial, a significant increase from 2% in 2000 when the census first allowed individuals to select multiple races.
The U.S. as a “Melting Pot”
Historically, America has portrayed itself as a “melting pot,” welcoming people from diverse backgrounds. However, in practice, some states enforced legal segregation by race until the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. Additionally, laws prohibiting interracial marriage were not overturned until 1967. Since then, social change has accelerated. Barack Obama became the nation’s first Black president in 2008, and Harris, if elected in November, would be the first Black woman and South Asian to hold the office of president.
Reactions to a Multiracial Future
Svante Myrick, president of the advocacy group People for the American Way, reflected on the significance of Harris’s candidacy, noting, “We’re living in a situation 50 years later where we could be looking at our second mixed-race president, and it’s beautiful.” The multiracial population in the U.S. is largely young, with most individuals under the age of 44, and a third are still children. As the country becomes more diverse, some members of the shrinking white majority have expressed discomfort, leading to confusion, resentment, and, in some cases, hostility.
Controversy and Identity Politics
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump recently stirred controversy at a gathering of Black journalists by questioning Harris’s racial identity, remarking, “I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black. But you know what, I respect either one.” Harris has consistently identified with both her parents’ ancestries, and many multiracial individuals see Trump’s comments as reflective of their own experiences of being pressured to choose one identity over another. Democrats argue that Harris’s diverse background enhances her ability to lead and advocate for a broad range of Americans.
Challenges Facing a Multiracial Nation
Despite the growing diversity, challenges persist. White nationalist groups continue to gain traction online, promoting conspiracy theories like “The Great Replacement.” Some Republican lawmakers have focused on banning books and canceling classes that address racial history. According to the FBI, thousands of racial hate crimes are reported annually, with 232 incidents targeting multiracial individuals in 2022.
Matthew Delmont, a Dartmouth College history professor, attributes much of the current backlash to the demographic changes in the U.S., noting that it is, in part, a reaction to the Obama presidency and fears about the nation’s evolving racial landscape. Tara Setmayer, an Afro-Latina and white conservative who co-founded the Seneca Project political action committee, expressed disillusionment with the Republican Party’s recent rhetoric, particularly concerning immigration. Setmayer, who once appreciated the party’s emphasis on color-blind policies, now sees the rhetoric as carrying racist undertones.
The Future of America’s Demographic Evolution
As America continues to diversify, Setmayer believes the resistance to these changes represents a missed opportunity. “This is really their last gasp at trying to stop the country from evolving, and I think they’re missing out on something that’s beautiful,” she said. The ongoing debate around race and identity in the U.S. underscores the complexities of navigating a nation that is increasingly multiracial and multicultural.
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