Californian Senator Kamala Harris has officially accepted the nomination as the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential candidate for November’s U.S. election.
Speaking on Day Three of her party’s ‘virtual party conference’ Harris mirrored almost all Democratic vice presidential candidates in recent decades in vowing to fight the problems of “structural racism” that continue to blight her country.
“That I am here tonight is a testament to the dedication of generations before me,” Ms. Harris said, adding “Women and men who believed so fiercely in the promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all. They organized, marched, and fought—not just for their vote, but for a seat at the table.”
The 55-year-old, as the first woman from an Indian background in addition to being of African American descent has already made history just by being nominated.
She also went on to discuss the issues faced by minorities as America prepares to go to the polls.
“While this virus touches us all, let’s be honest, it is not an equal opportunity offender,” Harris said. “Black, Latino and Indigenous people are suffering and dying disproportionately” claiming “This is not a coincidence. It is the effect of structural racism” before adding “And let’s be clear—there is no vaccine for racism.”
She then went on to turn her attention to President Trump, of whom she said “Right now, we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons,” referring to her former opponent for the Democratic presidential ticket as “Joe (Biden) will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose.”
“Today, that country feels distant,” Ms Harris said before calling President Trump’s time in the White House a “failure of leadership (that) has cost lives and livelihoods.”
