Kamala Harris Changed the Narrative. Soon She Will Make History.

In the process, Harris also put to bed a narrative about herself. Once labeled a political under-performer whose main weakness was an inability to forge a connection with voters, she has proved that, given the chance, she is a charismatic campaigner whose personality resonates with Americans across the country. With each passing rally and viral meme , voters are responding to the vice presidents joyful, authentic, formidable presence. The doubts about likability seem unhinged in retrospect. She looks equal to this task comfortable, even. The underdog is on the verge of becoming a movement candidate . The vibe shift is real, and its heading for the glass ceiling.

Which should leave us all to ask: How did everyone so gravely underestimate this groundbreaking vice president, the first woman to serve as Californias attorney general, the winner of multiple high-profile elections? As one Indian-American mother and accomplished biomedical scientist   might say, to answer this question we must look beyond the coconut tree and into the context of all in which we live and what came before us.

I happen to know something about the context in which Harris career has flourished. To be a Black woman in politics is to know that simply showing up as your best self is seldom enough for people. That for every single yes you hear, you endure countless noes. That your opportunities will be few and far between and your doubters ever-present. That you will be relied upon constantly but rarely appreciated. That, most important, in spite of all of this, you will keep showing up every day, every election because Black women are the backbone of their communities and the Democratic Party. And to be clear, we show up not because we are sheep but rather because we understand what is at stake and that this is not a game so we stay at the ready.

These past weeks leave no doubt that Harris knows something about staying ready. And what an opportunity she has before her. Her ascendance has left the Republican Party flat-footed. They see what we see: Harris star casts a harsh light on Trumps worst features. The contrast is conspicuous. The former prosecutor against the convicted criminal. The first woman to appear on a winning presidential ticket versus the twice-impeached, election-denying, one-term president who made his own claim on history by inciting a violent assault on the U.S. Capitol. A 59-year-old with a hopeful vision for Americas future against a 78-year-old who insists this country has failed. A campaign that talks about aspirations and solutions versus the one that speaks in put-downs and threats.

At the Democratic National Convention last week, Democrats celebrated the opportunity before them and used the platform to drive home these contrasts. The choice voters face this November was made as plain as possible. But the DNC also illustrated one more fundamental contrast between Harris and Trump, and between the parties they represent.

The Republican National Convention in mid-July revealed a party that has been remade to represent and serve the interests, impulses and small-minded views of one man. 

The DNC showed Harris as the leader and dues-paying member of a party that strives to represent, include and serve all Americans. 

It is this contrast that sets up Harris to defeat Trump. It is no surprise that in recent weeks Trump and his acolytes have become obsessed with turning the words diversity, equity and inclusion into a slur. This is because their political movement is neither diverse, inclusive or interested in equity, but also because Trump believes that everyone shares his bottomless cynicism the byproduct of nepotism and a privileged life. When confronted with political leaders who do not look like him yet had to work twice as hard to become his peer, he assumes these people must not have been appointed on the merits but rather as a cheap ploy to gain favor from a voting bloc. Harris a woman who worked hard for this moment, the daughter of a Black man from Jamaica and a mother from India draws bigger crowds and outperforms him in the polls, and Trump spirals . The diversity of the Democratic Party coalition is its strength, and it underscores Trumps biggest weakness.

As an organizer and social justice advocate, I know that the Democratic Party must center diverse representation this election season because: (1) diversity is an essential American value, and (2) solutions to the problems that harm communities are always found most proximate to the pain. This leaves no room for selling gold sneakers and mug shot T-shirts. Instead, while Trump and Republicans shamelessly pander to voters, Harris has the opportunity to lean into a message about the Democratic Partys earnest commitment to the diversity of its coalition and how diverse voices are essential to a functioning democratic government. You cant maintain a coalition like ours with cheap talk and political stagecraft. You have to be willing to do the work. You have to deliver for the people.

Luckily, on this score, the Democratic Party has a convincing story to tell. Its leaders have spent the last two years tirelessly organizing to protect reproductive rights in successful ballot initiatives in Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont, California and Montana with more such votes to come on Nov. 5. The Biden administration delivered historic victories for union workers, passed the most consequential climate legislation of any administration and appointed scores of women and minority judges to federal courts, including making Ketanji Brown Jackson the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Vice President Harris herself cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to ensure passage of a bill that will lower drug prices for millions of Americans . And as governor of Minnesota, her running mate, Tim Walz, presided over historic investments in education , expanding early childhood education and establishing a universal breakfast and lunch program for all K-12 students. 

That is how you represent our coalition. That is how you win.

A few weeks ago, I was honored to sit in Gloria Steinems living room surrounded by women leaders. The founder of Ms. magazine told us we were in the very same room where she worked with Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first Black candidate and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, to organize in advance of the 1972 Democratic National Convention. Able to get on the ballot in only 14 states, Chisholm said that she entered the race in spite of hopeless odds to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo. We asked ourselves, Does it feel different this time?

I know my answer. This November, Kamala Harris but, most important, voters will finish the job that Chisholm started. We are ready. Weve been ready all along.