ECNETNews, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Mon. Aug. 19, 2024: Today, tens of thousands of attendees gather in Chicago for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Approximately 5,000 delegates and alternates are present to finalize the party platform and nominate Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the candidates for President and Vice President, respectively, for the upcoming November general elections.
As the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, Vice President Harris carries the legacy of the late Caribbean American Congresswoman Shirley Anita Chisholm, a pioneering figure in American politics. Chisholm, born to immigrant parents from British Guiana and Barbados, made history in 1972 as the first Black candidate to seek a major party nomination for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Her campaign slogan, “Unbought and Unbossed,” continues to symbolize strength and resilience.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Chisholm as the U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, a country that holds personal significance for Harris, given her father’s Jamaican roots. Although Chisholm was unable to serve due to health issues, the connection between these two trailblazing women remains significant.
As Vice President Harris formally accepts the Democratic Party’s nomination this week, it is vital for her to honor her Caribbean heritage. Harris is not just a woman of “Black and South Asian” descent, as noted in her official biography; she is also proudly of Jamaican lineage, representing the Caribbean American identity within the United States.
Caribbean American voters are keenly observing whether Harris will acknowledge her roots and engage with the community as she seeks support in this pivotal election. With over 5 million Caribbean immigrants in the U.S.—comprising around 10 percent of the foreign-born population—this community constitutes a significant portion of the electorate, particularly among Black voters, with Jamaicans forming a sizeable majority.
For many in the Caribbean diaspora, Harris’ candidacy represents a historic opportunity. The prospect of a Caribbean-descended leader in the White House has not been this tangible since the times of Alexander Hamilton or Shirley Chisholm. The potential for someone with Caribbean heritage to reach the highest office is a profound possibility in 2024.
As Harris stands on the cusp of history, the pressing question looms: Will she recognize her Caribbean roots in her address at the Convention? Will she honor her father’s Jamaican heritage and connect with the supportive Caribbean community? Or will she choose to focus primarily on her “Black” and South Asian identities? The Caribbean immigrant community is eager for her acknowledgment and support.
In the spirit of Shirley Chisholm, we will be watching closely.
