By Victor C Kirk
I had planned to spend a moment or two in this week’s article applauding the inauguration of the first person of color as Vice President of the United States – Kamala Harris. I use the term “person of color” regrettably for when I voice this belief internally there seems to rise within me and apparently others a hesitance or angst that my desire to say first “African American” as Vice President would be slightly incorrect. No intent to downplay the importance of this historic moment but I was caught off guard by commentators on social media and in the national press who seem to struggle with referring to Mrs. Harris as African American.
The first Vice President of Color was dismissed with political historical records indicating that a Native American had secured that historical spot several elections ago, so first African American seemed to be a shoe in for labels we love in America.
Everyone or thing must have a name a title or reference point. The media’s struggles in clearly affixing a “label” or “title” or “reference point” to this significant historical event, led them to refer to Mrs. Harris as “the First Black and Indian” to hold the office. Later the discourse interchanged between “First person of color, to first female”. I think first female seems to stick and has made its way into editorial cartoons even in the News Star which depicted her with a hammer and ladder and a visible glass ceiling broken. Clearly, however, there is consensus on her “Indian” ancestry even though I have not detected any visible or outward features unique to the ethnic group – not sure what I would be looking for anyway. I have noticed a uniquely smooth skin tone and somewhat keen facial features and deep black hair color to compliment a wonderful sheen and length. I guess I have just described a good number of women so physical features aren’t as apparent as we think when we attempt to use them as a guide to determine ancestry.
My point is the media references her father’s lineage as Jamaican. So, first Afro-Jamaican-Indian Vice President is more appropriate? Not sure for Jamaicans are close cousins of African American’s and Jamaicans were Africans brought to the island among the host of humans trafficked during the slave trade. They were as successful as Haitians in seizing their freedom and declaring the island independent. In either case, her lineage commands respect for the accomplishments of her parents and the road she followed to gain her standing in the politics of America’s melting pot.
