Last week, when Kamala Harris emerged as the presumed Democratic candidate for the United States presidency, black women in America and across the world felt an incredible sense of pride, but also fear.
The internet might have crowned her “brat” for securing her place in history but to me and so many others the word that came to mind was “brave”. Harris is one of the most qualified people to stand for a US presidential election and definitely better qualified than the other candidate.
But the reality is that when black women put their head above the parapet we are never given a fair chance to deliver, nor are we actually ever given the chance to lead during normal times — outside of a crisis in institutions which is not of our making.
Harris was catapulted into being the driver’s seat of the Democratic ticket because the current President of the United States took his sweet time to face up to reality that he was not fit to run and has now left a black woman just 100 days not only to beat Donald Trump but also develop the armour she needs to withstand the racism and sexism that is and has been coming her way.
As a black woman you think if you’re not successful it could mean another woman of colour isn’t given a chance
The situation Kamala finds herself in has in recent years been termed as the “glass cliff”. The term was coined by researchers at the University of Exeter and refers to a situation in which women, especially women of colour, are promoted to higher positions during times of crisis or duress.
This not only puts more pressure on women of colour but it almost literally puts their lives on the line. In a normal political environment we would be worried about burn-out, but in the case of Kamala, millions of black women are worrying for her safety.
I can’t tell you the number of conversations I have had in the past week with other black women where we started off thinking about our fears for her silently — but then said them out loud as I am doing right now.
Over coffees and WhatsApp messages, I and others have shared how nervous we have been in our glass cliff moments and how, as a black woman, you think if you’re not able to knock this out of the park you may be responsible for a situation where those in positions of power don’t give another woman of colour a chance.
And maybe it’s because of this shared, lived experience that black women have across the world of being given roles and access to power in the midst of a crisis that so many have come together to help raise millions for Harris and actually make the possibility of America electing a black woman as president into a tangible reality.
Highlighting Harris’s race and gender as I am doing now is not me playing identity politics, but focusing on the two elements of her identity that many think should prevent her from being commander-in-chief.
It is incredible how much hidden labour we black women have to do in order to get into positions of power, and how easy it is for those who look down on us to discredit us as soon as we take the seats at the tables we have helped to build.
So in the next few weeks, as the Republicans try to undermine Harris with cheap racist and sexist rhetoric, remember — their aim is not just to destroy Harris but also send a message to other black women in America and beyond that they don’t belong in positions of power.
This message will also come from some on her own side who might whisper it but will still think she is taking up the position of a white all-American man. It feels gross to write those words but sadly we know it to be true, that when it comes to the success of black women, few outside their own celebrate it or them. But that doesn’t mean it can’t and won’t change.
In fact, it has been incredible to see other prominent women who have had to endure their own glass cliff moments in recent times come out for Harris. Hillary Clinton and Melinda French Gates, leading figures in different spheres, have not only come out to support Harris but also to fuel her campaign with the capital it needs to succeed.
Their leadership in a community of women who have really been vocal for women like Harris is heartwarming. I hope this will be what not only delivers the Democrats the White House but also creates a community upon which America can thrive and heal from the divisions and hate created by Trump and his supporters.
