Some University of Maryland students say Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign is inspiring and remarkable for several historically underrepresented communities.
If elected, Harris would be the United States’ first female president. She already made history in August when she became the first woman of Black and South Asian heritage to lead a major political party’s ticket — all firsts that hold significance for many students and organizations across campus.
“The fact that somebody who looks like us is running for such a high power in our government and is going to be seen in the public eye so often, it’s really inspiring and empowering for us,” Carissa Robinson, a co-vice president of programming for the Black Student Union, said.
The Black Student Union’s executive board is primarily made up of women, the junior dance and government and politics major said. Seeing Black women run for office makes Robinson think “that can one day be me,” she said.
Black students are often underrepresented at predominantly white institutions such as this university, she added.
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Harris winning the election will show that Black students can “make it from anywhere,” whether that be a predominantly white institution or a historically Black college or university, Robinson said. A win would be impactful for students, particularly those in the Black community, and could inspire them to strive for their dreams, she said.
Denise Demontagnac is the president of this university’s chapter of Black Girls Vote, an organization focused on voter education, women empowerment and community outreach. She said Harris is a great candidate for the Democratic Party and that her candidacy helps Black women feel more represented in politics.
“We live in a country that is deeply rooted in hate and racial discrimination,” Demontagnac said. “A lot of people can’t imagine a Black woman being the president of the United States based off the history of this country and how they have treated women, and how they have treated Black women.”
Demontagnac, a senior government and politics major, said she thinks having a Black leader empowers Black people and makes them feel more seen. A Harris win would encourage young women to get involved in politics and allow them to see that it is possible to make an impact on their community, she added.
Many members of Black Girls Vote value reproductive freedom and are in favor of Harris’ plans to restore abortion rights, according to Demontagnac.
Other students said they do not feel their values are represented by Harris’ candidacy.
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Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena, the president of the Asian American Student Union said, like Harris, she is the daughter of immigrants and identifies as a South Asian American woman.
Although she thinks Harris’ multiracial background is significant, Harris does not represent her, Amarawardena, a senior government and politics major, said.
“I don’t think that her candidacy represents my community to the best of its ability,” she said.
Some Asian Americans are upset about President Joe Biden and Harris’ policies about Israel’s war in Gaza, Amarawardena said. Harris has not been listening to concerns about the conflict, including calls for an arms embargo on Israel, she said.
She wants Harris to hear out people who call for an end to Israel’s violence in Gaza and for increased humanitarian aid in the region.
Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took 250 people hostage in its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Associated Press. Israel declared war on Hamas the next day and its military has since killed more than 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
“I just hope that if Kamala is elected, people won’t stop advocating for the issues that they care about and keep pressing politicians, whether it’s local or national, to represent their viewpoints,” Amarawardena said.
Ashley Gitau, the vice president of iGNiTE, an organization that empowers women to be involved in politics and leadership, said Harris is a good example of how women can be powerful in leadership spaces.
“She’s broken barriers that we’re hoping to break as well, the junior government and politics major said.