During her speech on Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris used strong language to highlight the significance of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders overcoming the challenges they encounter.
During a conversation moderated by actor and comedian Jimmy O. Yang, Harris was asked about the significance of being the first vice president of Asian descent and how her heritage has influenced her perspectives and leadership role. With her mother hailing from India and her father from Jamaica, Harris has shattered barriers as the first Indian-American vice president, the first female vice president, and the first Indian-American U.S. senator.
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Harris responded at length, advising the young individuals not to allow others to define them or their aspirations based on limited perspectives. She shared that her own mother had imparted this wisdom to her.
“Sometimes, people will open the door for you and leave it open, and sometimes they won’t. And in those moments, you need to kick that door down,” Harris exclaimed to a roaring crowd, met with enthusiastic applause. With a chuckle, she added, “Please pardon my language.”
“We should definitely consider making some T-shirts!” Yang playfully suggested.
Public profanity in politics is not uncommon. During his time as vice president, Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic telling President Barack Obama that the newly passed health care legislation was a “big f***ing deal.” The Democratic Party even capitalized on this remark by selling T-shirts referencing it.
During a recent rally, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, took charge of the crowd, leading them in a chant of “bulls***” as they discussed his ongoing criminal trial in New York City.
During a conversation at the annual Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Legislative Leadership Summit, the vice president expressed her views on the matter. The conversation was broadcasted live on the White House website. To honor Asian Americans’ heritage and contributions to the country, the White House has organized a series of events, including a reception hosted by Vice President Harris and President Biden on Monday night.
