Kamala Harris Urges Asian-Americans To Boldly Seize Opportunities With Strong Words
In a striking departure from her usually polished public persona, Vice President Kamala Harris made headlines using explicit language during a public appearance.
According to Daily Mail, Vice President Kamala Harris's fiery rhetoric at the legislative summit has sparked widespread media attention.
Harris Urges Asian Americans to Pursue Opportunities
At the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Legislative Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, Harris emphatically encouraged Asian Americans to actively pursue their professional opportunities.
The Vice President's unscripted moment came during a roundtable discussion on Monday:
Sometimes people will open the door for you and leave it open, and sometimes they won’t— and then you need to kick that f***ing door down.
The speech was part of a larger event focused on fostering leadership and active engagement within the Asian-American community.
During a roundtable discussion featuring comedian Jimmy O. Yang, Harris unexpectedly used profanity, surprising both the audience and likely viewers at home.
Immediate Aftermath and Public Reaction
Following her emphatic statement, Harris briefly laughed and apologized for her choice of words. However, her candid approach seemed to resonate well with the audience, as evidenced by the applause she received.
This interaction starkly contrasted with her appearance on the Drew Barrymore show earlier in the month, where she presented a more restrained demeanor.
Despite the initial shock, Harris's vulgar language is not entirely out of character. She has previously discussed and even defended her word choice in public discussions.
During a 2017 Pod Save America podcast episode, Harris addressed the appropriateness of certain expressions in media engagements.
In continuation of her past stands, Harris also supported Representative Rashida Tlaib in 2019 when the latter faced criticism for using a vulgar term against then-President Donald Trump. This consistency indicates Harris's belief in authentic expression, even in formal settings.
Exploring the Depths of Cultural Values
The Vice President's summit speech went beyond the immediate shock of her language. She delved deeply into the cultural values, particularly emphasizing duty within Asian cultures. Harris highlighted the significance of understanding the roles of the individual and community in broader societal frameworks.
Furthermore, Harris shared insights from her journey, discussing the challenges she faced as a Vice President of black and Asian American descent. Her narrative was one of overcoming barriers, regardless of the personal costs involved.
"Breaking barriers does not mean you start at one side of the barrier and you end up on the other side. There's breaking involved. And when you break things you get cut and you may bleed and it is worth it every time," she explained passionately.
The session also addressed a serious and urgent issue—the rise of anti-Asian hate within the U.S. Harris condemned this growing xenophobia and highlighted the pervasive fear it has instilled within the Asian-American community.
The Energetic Exchange with Jimmy O. Yang
Adding a lighter touch to the discussion, comedian Jimmy O. Yang responded to Harris's forceful advice with a humorous suggestion: "We gotta make t-shirts with that saying," referring to Harris's remark about kicking doors down. This exchange not only lightened the atmosphere but also underscored the impactful nature of Harris's words.
Her advice for individual empowerment was clear: "You tell them who you are. Don't ever carry as a personal burden your capacity to do whatever you dream and aspire to do based on other people's limited ability to see who can do what," she advised those in attendance.
Concluding Thoughts on Leadership and Empowerment
Vice President Harris delivered a forceful message of resilience and assertiveness for Asian Americans facing professional and societal challenges. Her use of vulgar language marked a stark contrast to her earlier, more composed appearance on the Drew Barrymore show, where she was encouraged to embody a nurturing role. This isn't the first time Harris has used and defended strong language in public, highlighting a recurring aspect of her public persona.