My Kamala, Your Kamala, Everyone’s Kamala – Our wishlist for the poster girl of Intersectionality

One of two daughters of a Tamil Brahmin Indian, immigrant Hindu single mother and a mixed-race Christian Jamaican (also an immigrant), married to a divorced man of European Jewish origin and raising step children. Kamala Harris represents the interwoven identity of multiple threads of diversity that truly describes the spirit of inclusion.

When Kamala was first announced to be the running mate for Biden, the world cheered, everyone had a representative in her.

• Women cheered, knowing their voices will be actioned in the highest of offices
• The African Americans relieved as a woman of colour would have their best interest at heart
• Asian-Americans enthused to see one of their own rising
• Indian-Americans, proudly claim they knew she would go places
• While the Tamilians say she belongs to them first and of course the Tam-Brahms in Chennai Beasant Nager, claim they are related to her!

Kamala Harris does indeed, tick many boxes!

Whichever way you look at it, it is true that Kamala Harris’s selection represents a compelling emotional connect for multiple sections of the global diaspora. The poster girl of intersectionality, Kamala brings her multi-cultural, inter-racial, inter-religious faith, and a woman’s perspective to the global dais tugging at the hopes of millions.

Her candidacy, possibly the most monumental evidence of the growing diversity in our everyday lives, establishing that perhaps historical exclusion is on its way out.

As we rejoice at this news, I am also acutely aware that what she has achieved is really an affirmation that the decades of struggle and pain borne by many strong people of minority is fructifying. A reflection that opportunities for people from marginalized groups to rise to the highest levels through hard work and confidence exist…and that we, as communities, societies and countries are ready to accept them.

However, the challenge that lies ahead is how do we institutionalise the path to the top?

After the initial euphoria, the question that I am left with is, “Will Kamala Harris be a flash in the pan that we take pride in and quote America’s inclusivity for years to come,or will this represent the beginning of a new world order?”

So, while we admire and acknowledge the tremendous distance we have travelled to be where we are today, my invitation to Kamala Harris would be the same as what her mother said to her “‘Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.’

Kamala, as a person of colour, as an immigrant and as a woman, we look up to you to institutionalise the path for others. We need more Kamalas across every level, in every industry and government in the next few years to come for us to really claim we are an inclusive society.

Don’t let us down!

Interweave Consulting is India’s leading Diversity & Inclusion, Women Leadership and Workplace Safety Consulting firm. Know more about Interweave’s leadership programs for women at the workplace.