New Vice President from NorCal
Kamala Harris shows women and people of color across the country that they can do anything.
By Sydney Teves
Kamala Harris shows women and people of color across the country that they can do anything.
By Sydney Teves
On Jan. 20, history was made when the first female, Black and South Asian vice president-elect stepped onto the inaugural platform to take the oath to hold the second-highest office.
When Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first speech as vice president-elect on Nov. 7, 2020, she said, “But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.”
Over 100 years ago, women received the 19th Amendment after marching for their right to vote. After that, 40 years later the civil rights movement happened where Black people fought to end racial segregation. Now in 2021, we have the first Black vice president of South Asian descent.
Emerson Hill, 10, is hopeful that Harris’ win will be an inspiration to many people and changes will be seen, as a huge shift in politics has occurred.
“She has opened up a lot of doors for women in politics by winning. So I can imagine there will soon be more women who enter leadership roles in politics,” said Hill. “I think that it would be amazing to see more women have leadership roles in the future.”
Not only is Harris an inspiration, she is representing many people in our country, who before the election weren’t being equally represented. Chemistry teacher Zaiba Ali is proud of the female representation in office for such an important role.
“As a leader she represents a wide range of categories of people in the country who otherwise felt underrepresented. First, she represents people of color, and all women in the society. She removes the stigma from society that only men are worthy to lead. She brings confidence to all women to succeed,” said Ali. “Apart from all that, she is brilliant, dynamic and a policy maker who people respect.”
Historically, white men were chosen for the position of vice president until President Joe Biden chose Harris on Aug. 11, 2020. Not only was a woman chosen, but a woman of color who is a first-generation American in her family along with her sister, Maya Harris.
Isabella Vaghela, 12, is optimistic that other women of color and children of immigrants similar to Harris will run for office in the future.
“I’m glad that there’s more of a voice and representation for more minority groups rather than straight, cis, white men. I do hope that more women of color can take on bigger positions in male-dominated fields,” said Vaghela.
Though some people aren’t so fond of Harris’s position as vice president, Hill believes this is an important turning point in history for politics we should at least acknowledge.
“I hope they realize that even if it’s not what they thought, they are going to bring some really good changes to the table. And hopefully they will end up being content with the outcome,” said Hill. “I think that this win broke a barrier in politics. It makes you think that things are changing.”
When Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first speech as vice president-elect on Nov. 7, 2020, she said, “But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.”
Over 100 years ago, women received the 19th Amendment after marching for their right to vote. After that, 40 years later the civil rights movement happened where Black people fought to end racial segregation. Now in 2021, we have the first Black vice president of South Asian descent.
Emerson Hill, 10, is hopeful that Harris’ win will be an inspiration to many people and changes will be seen, as a huge shift in politics has occurred.
“She has opened up a lot of doors for women in politics by winning. So I can imagine there will soon be more women who enter leadership roles in politics,” said Hill. “I think that it would be amazing to see more women have leadership roles in the future.”
Not only is Harris an inspiration, she is representing many people in our country, who before the election weren’t being equally represented. Chemistry teacher Zaiba Ali is proud of the female representation in office for such an important role.
“As a leader she represents a wide range of categories of people in the country who otherwise felt underrepresented. First, she represents people of color, and all women in the society. She removes the stigma from society that only men are worthy to lead. She brings confidence to all women to succeed,” said Ali. “Apart from all that, she is brilliant, dynamic and a policy maker who people respect.”
Historically, white men were chosen for the position of vice president until President Joe Biden chose Harris on Aug. 11, 2020. Not only was a woman chosen, but a woman of color who is a first-generation American in her family along with her sister, Maya Harris.
Isabella Vaghela, 12, is optimistic that other women of color and children of immigrants similar to Harris will run for office in the future.
“I’m glad that there’s more of a voice and representation for more minority groups rather than straight, cis, white men. I do hope that more women of color can take on bigger positions in male-dominated fields,” said Vaghela.
Though some people aren’t so fond of Harris’s position as vice president, Hill believes this is an important turning point in history for politics we should at least acknowledge.
“I hope they realize that even if it’s not what they thought, they are going to bring some really good changes to the table. And hopefully they will end up being content with the outcome,” said Hill. “I think that this win broke a barrier in politics. It makes you think that things are changing.”