Speculation about President Joe Biden stepping down from the 2024 race sparks a disturbing trend. Attacks against Kamala Harris, driven by the MAGA world, fuel this. Biden consistently affirms he will remain in the race. However, mere speculation about a Harris campaign prompts overt racism disguised as political critique.
Recently, Sebastian Gorka, a former White House aide turned radio host, appeared on Newsmax. He referred to Harris using outdated and offensive terms, calling her “colored” and a “DEI hire.” This language, echoing a bygone era, is part of a larger pattern of normalized racism.
Newsmax host Rob Schmitt questioned Harris’s potential success in key states. This, however, led Gorka to respond, “She’s a DEI hire, right? She’s a woman. She’s colored.” Such statements are not isolated. John Ullyot, a former Trump administration official, made similar comments. This highlights a trend of diminishing Harris’s qualifications based on her identity and clearly shows a bias against women of color.
Recently, Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett suggested Harris’s accomplishments are merely products of diversity initiatives. Similarly, Rep. Chip Roy and Rep. Burgess Owens dismissed her abilities, attributing her success solely to her race and gender. This rhetoric undermines Harris’s achievements. It ignores her historic role as the first non-white female vice president in U.S. history.
The media also perpetuates this bias against women of color. Charles Gasparino’s op-ed in the New York Post posited that Harris could become America’s first “DEI president,” cloaking racism under political analysis. This narrative diminishes her accomplishments and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Such disguised racism and sexism thrive in high-profile positions. Labeling Harris a “DEI hire” invalidates her credentials and feeds into a broader narrative that undermines women of color. This language seeks to delegitimize their success, framing it as unearned and purely identity-based.
How can we combat these disguised racist and sexist narratives in our political discourse? What actions can we take to genuinely acknowledge and support the accomplishments of women of color in leadership roles?
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