Why Kamala Harris is the Embodiment of the "Twice As Good But Not Enough"

Former Vice President Kamala Harris

Former Vice President Kamala Harris was just awarded the Chairman's Award at this year's 56th NAACP Image Awards. As she stepped onto the stage to receive her award, there were emotional glances throughout the audience. A room filled with Black excellence from various walks of the industry watched as the most decorated politician delivered a speech reminding everyone of their resilience and hers.

Harris ran as the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024 but lost to Donald Trump. Although she was given a smaller campaign window, her impact was monumental. Still, the former Vice President, former Senate, former District Attorney, and former Attorney General didn't come out on top. She lost to a twice impeached former president, who initially lost his second election and has 34 felonies.

What has always been blatantly true throughout the history of America is the work ethic and expectations of people of color are measured differently. It is often measured in bias, racism, classism, sexism, and any other "isms" that don't equal being white and/or male. The "bootstrap" myth has never realistically applied to anyone. For some, the scales are overwhelmingly tipped in their favor, and for others, the scales don't exist.

It is normal for individuals to feel a sense of defeat when a candidate that they voted for didn't win. That's what a democracy is. But considering the candidates, considering the gravity of what has been lost in just one month, the weight of that loss is strenuous.   

Every Black person has heard the saying, "You have to be twice as good to get half of what they have." "They" being privileged white people who systemically are granted a space at the front of the starting line. Kamala Harris is a Black and South Asian woman with a resume that rivaled her opponent, yet and still.

It is not enough of a weight to be a woman in America, but to be a woman of color adds another layer. Where disrespect is frequently distributed to women regularly in various spaces, being a woman of color only deepens the target. Senator Deb Fischer's husband, Bruce Fischer's refusal to shake Harris' hand, is an example of that.

While many ponder what is going to happen to America as much of what was considered sane policies crumble, one question is repeated. What is Kamala Harris' going to do? Realistically, what can she do? A choice was made in the name of Democracy when many went to the polls. A candidate was seemingly chosen fairly. Whatever is next for Kamala Harris is entirely up to her. The cape is off.