Kamala Harris’s Multifaceted Journey: A Blend of Heritage, Tradition, and Political Ascent
Kamala Harris once sought the blessing of fortune from her Chennai aunt through a unique ritual involving breaking coconuts.
Last week marked a historic moment as Democratic presumptive presidential candidate Joe Biden named 55-year-old Harris as his running mate for the November 3 presidential election.
Senator Kamala Harris, representing a significant milestone as the first American of Indian and African descent nominated for vice presidency by a major political party, recounted a gesture of seeking luck during her bid for the California attorney general election in 2010. Reportedly, she reached out to her aunt in India, urging her to break coconuts for auspiciousness at a Hindu temple. This tradition, common for invoking blessings in Hindu culture, was performed at a temple overlooking the Besant Nagar beach, a place laden with cherished memories of walks with her grandfather.
The symbolic act involved 108 coconuts, meticulously arranged, each carrying its significance within Hindu customs. Reflecting on the gesture, Harris reminisced in a 2018 speech about the profound influence of her visits to Besant Nagar with her maternal grandfather, P V Gopalan, a former Indian government official. The stories shared during those beach walks left an indelible mark on her, shaping her understanding of democracy and her identity.
Joe Biden’s historic announcement of Harris as his running mate underscored not only her political significance but also her rich cultural heritage. Despite her more subdued acknowledgment of her Indian roots compared to her Black heritage, Harris’s journey to becoming the vice-presidential nominee has been deeply influenced by the values instilled by her Indian-born mother, her grandfather, and her extended Indian family.
The New York Times report highlights the reverence and respect accorded to Harris’s family in India, emphasizing their humility and integrity. Neighbors and acquaintances fondly remember Harris’s mother and grandparents for their dignified demeanor and genuine nature. Their support and influence have undoubtedly contributed to shaping Harris into the formidable figure she is today.
Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, Harris has blazed trails throughout her career, serving as an attorney in California and later as the district attorney for San Francisco, where she made history as the first woman, African-American, and Indian-origin individual elected to the position.