Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) accepted the Democratic Party nomination to be Joe Biden‘s running mate on Wednesday, marking history as the first black woman and first Asian American to join a major party presidential ticket. She spoke in her prime time speech at the National Democratic convention virtual event, introducing herself to the national audience.
In her speech, she condemned “structural racism” in the U.S., calling it the “virus” in society and pointed out its disproportionate effects on black, Latino and Indigenous communities.
“This virus has no eyes, and yet it knows exactly how we see each other – and how we treat each other,” Harris said. “And let’s be clear – there is no vaccine for racism. We’ve gotta do the work.”
Harris also took a moment to talk about her family history and praising her Indian-born mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, for teaching her and her sister “to believe public service is a noble cause and the fight for justice is a shared responsibility.”
Harris spoke about the current coronavirus crisis and condemned President Donald Trump for his “failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods,” saying he“ turns our tragedies into political weapons.”
“The constant chaos leaves us adrift. The incompetence makes us feel afraid. The callousness makes us feel alone,” Harris said. “It’s a lot. And here’s the thing: We can do better and deserve so much more.”
She urged her viewers to “elect a president who will bring something different, something better” and who will bring all ethnic communities together.
“We must elect Joe Biden,” she said.
“Joe and I believe that we can build that Beloved Community, one that is strong and decent, just and kind. One in which we all can see ourselves,” Harris said.
Her husband, Douglas Emhoff, also joined her on stage alongside Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden.
