Vice President Kamala Harris has been making headlines since her historic inauguration as the first female, Black, and South Asian Vice President of the United States. Her rise to the second-highest office in the country is a testament to her hard work, determination, and resilience. As the world gets to know more about Harris, one aspect of her life that has been a topic of discussion is her upbringing and her description of it as “middle class.”
Harris, who was born in Oakland, California, has often spoken about her parents’ influence on her life and career. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a cancer researcher from India, and her father, Donald Harris, was an economics professor from Jamaica. Both her parents were highly educated and instilled the value of education and hard work in their daughters.
In her memoir, “The Truths We Hold,” Harris describes her childhood as “middle class,” but a closer look at her upbringing reveals that she and her sister, Maya, had opportunities that many “middle class” children do not have. For starters, the Harris sisters grew up in Berkeley, a city known for its liberal politics and progressive values. The family lived in a predominantly white neighborhood, which exposed the sisters to different cultures and perspectives from a young age.
But it wasn’t just their surroundings that set the Harris sisters apart from other “middle class” children. Harris and her sister had the privilege of living abroad in their early years. When Harris was just seven years old, her parents divorced, and her mother moved the family to Montreal, Canada, where she pursued her postdoctoral studies. Harris and her sister attended French-speaking schools, giving them a unique multicultural and bilingual upbringing.
After returning to the United States, Harris and her sister attended public schools in Berkeley. However, their education took a turn when they moved to Montreal again, this time for Harris’s mother to teach at McGill University. The sisters attended a private school, Westmount High School, known for its rigorous academic program and diverse student body. This experience further expanded their worldview and provided them with a high-quality education that many “middle class” children do not have access to.
But it wasn’t just living abroad and attending private school that set Harris and her sister apart. Their family also had the means to take trips to Jamaica, where their father’s family still lived. These trips were not just for vacation; they were an opportunity for the sisters to connect with their roots and learn about their heritage. It also exposed them to different socio-economic realities, as they saw firsthand the poverty and struggles faced by their relatives in Jamaica.
As Harris continued her education at Howard University and then law school at the University of California, Hastings, her family’s financial situation improved. Her mother’s career as a cancer researcher was thriving, and her father had a successful career as an economics professor. This allowed Harris to pursue her dreams without the burden of student loans or financial struggles that many “middle class” students face.
Harris’s upbringing is a testament to the American dream, where hard work and determination can lead to success. But it also highlights the privilege and opportunities that come with being raised in a family with highly educated and successful parents. Harris’s description of her childhood as “middle class” may not resonate with many Americans who have grown up in more modest circumstances.
However, it is essential to note that Harris’s upbringing does not take away from her accomplishments or her ability to connect with and understand the struggles of everyday Americans. In fact, her diverse upbringing has given her a unique perspective and understanding of different cultures and socio-economic realities, which can only benefit her in her role as Vice President.
In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris’s “middle class” upbringing may not fit the traditional definition of the term, but it is a testament to the opportunities and privileges that come with being raised in a family with highly educated and successful parents. Her childhood experiences have shaped her into the strong, resilient, and compassionate leader that she is today, and her story is an inspiration to many. As she continues to break barriers and make history, let us not forget the unique path that led her to where she is today.