Vice President Kamala Harris's Jamaican roots are tied to her father, Donald Harris, a journey that significantly shaped her character and worldview.
Scripps News reported that Donald Harris' role as an economist and a father highlights his impact on Kamala Harris as she pursues the presidency.
Kamala Harris frequently shares insights into her mother's influence, but her Jamaican heritage, tied deeply to her father Donald Harris, also plays a crucial role in her life. Born in Jamaica in 1938, Donald migrated to the United States, became a citizen, married Shyamala Gopalan, and they had two daughters.
Donald Harris, a notable economist, spent his career as a professor at Stanford University. This background provided a unique cultural and academic environment for Kamala and her sister.
Despite the geographical distance, Jamaica's vibrant culture and Donald's upbringing have left a lasting imprint on Kamala, influencing her views and political approach.
Donald was raised in Brown's Town, a significant Jamaican community known for its market life, which is a few miles inland from the north coast. Observing his grandmother run a business there shaped his world views, which he later passed on to his daughters during visits to his homeland.
These trips to Jamaica were not just vacations; they were immersive experiences that exposed Kamala and her sister to the local culture and market activities, deepening their connection to their Jamaican roots.
The Harris family's influence in Brown's Town remains strong, with Donald's cousins, Sherman and Mark Harris, continuing to run local businesses and maintain a low profile despite their connection to American politics.
Donald's academic career at Stanford and his educational background in economics from the University of California-Berkeley undoubtedly influenced Kamala. His teachings on economic theories and social justice were echoed in Kamala's speeches and political strategies.
Even as the details of Kamala and Donald's relationship today remain private, the foundational experiences provided by her father during her formative years play a visible role in her public life and political ethos.
In her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, Kamala referenced lessons from her father about fearlessness, illustrating the deep emotional and intellectual influence he has had on her.
Scripps News' Ava-joye Burnett took the exploration a step further by traveling to Jamaica, seeking to uncover more about Donald Harris and his early life, which remains a significant part of Kamala's identity narrative.
Visiting Brown's Town, Burnett gathered stories from locals and relatives, painting a picture of a community that prides itself on its resilience and strong familial ties, characteristics that Kamala Harris champions in her political career.
Donald's cousins, Sherman and Mark Harris, shared personal anecdotes about Kamala's childhood visits, highlighting her joyful play on the family property and her exposure to the local lifestyle, which helped shape her character.
The Harris family's prominence has not been without controversy. Donald Trump's comments on Kamala's racial identity stirred significant backlash, illustrating a misunderstanding of the complex racial and cultural identity that Kamala represents.
Sherman and Mark Harris, responding to these remarks, emphasized the ignorance of such comments and the strong sense of identity that Kamala possesses, rooted in her Jamaican heritage.
Professor Sonjah Stanley Niaah from the University of the West Indies highlighted the issue of racial identity and white privilege, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's self-identity, a sentiment echoed throughout Jamaican culture.
The tapestry of Kamala Harris' heritage, with its deep Jamaican threads, continues to be a cornerstone of her personal and professional life, influencing her perspective as she vies for the highest office in the land.
