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I’m so tired of Brown twitter endlessly hyping Kamala Harris now that “one of us” is in the White House.
Harris is absolutely not on our side, but also let’s make this clear: Kamala is not just Black & South Asian, she is Black & Tamil, and that matters. (THREAD)
Harris is absolutely not on our side, but also let’s make this clear: Kamala is not just Black & South Asian, she is Black & Tamil, and that matters. (THREAD)
It is powerful to see a Black & Tamil woman in a position of power. But we can’t associate identities with political fidelity.
Representation isn’t the end goal: more Black & Brown leaders doesn’t equate to freedom & liberation for us.
“Not all skin folk are kin folk”
Representation isn’t the end goal: more Black & Brown leaders doesn’t equate to freedom & liberation for us.
“Not all skin folk are kin folk”
Kamala has been unapologetic about locking up poor (predominantly Black) mothers of truant children, putting trans women in men’s prisons, prosecuted sex workers & backed legislation that them in danger and defended the death penalty.
Her track-record on issues of policing leave much to be desired, something to think about with current calls for disarming & abolishing police.
Her office refused to investigate police shootings, withheld information on police misconduct, and she has opposed body cams.
Her office refused to investigate police shootings, withheld information on police misconduct, and she has opposed body cams.
Kamala Harris is also unapologetic in her support for Israel. So time to realise that she is not the Black & Brown hero we’ve been waiting for. She’s not one of us in the ways you want her to be. She’s oppressed the very communities she belongs to, and won’t be stopping soon.
All that said, please stop erasing Kamala’s identity as a Tamil woman. Tamil people are never seen as “Indian” or “South Asian” by these communities. Our struggles & our identities have never been of importance to “Indians” & “South Asians”.
South Asians are quick to erase Tamil identities of celebrities & politicians to co-opt their success as ‘Indian’/‘South Asian’ excellence,while continuing to support & be part of oppressive systems against Tamil communities. @kaliandkalki aptly covers this: http://bit.ly/32qNrVx
Kamala hyping her ‘chithis’ (Tamil for Aunty) on international platforms, chatting with Padma Lakshmi about growing up half-Tamil, eating Masala Dosas with Mindy Kaling, asserting how her name is pronounced “it’s KA MA LA”; these are all important moments of Kamala’s Tamil-ness.
So yeah, Kamala Harris is a Black & Tamil woman who will now be the 49th Vice President of the US.
Biden & Harris’ win puts an end to the Trump era. Big moment. We can celebrate this without buying into identity politics & denying the reality of their politics in practice.
Biden & Harris’ win puts an end to the Trump era. Big moment. We can celebrate this without buying into identity politics & denying the reality of their politics in practice.
