As Harris steps forward, WA congresswoman says racist and sexist tropes won't hold her back

Soundside

The political landscape is shifting rapidly this week.

Just days after President Biden announced he would not seek re-election, the Democratic party is getting in line behind the Vice President.

According to an Associated Press survey, Vice President Kamala Harris has earned enough delegate support to become the Democratic nominee for President.

And now, as she takes center stage, the spotlight on Harris has intensified. And the floodgate of criticism from Republicans has opened.
Some of these attacks have focused on what you’d expect – like her work on immigration, or the Biden Administration’s record on inflation.

But some notable criticism has also focused on factors outside of the Vice President’s control: Harris’ race, and gender.

On Monday, Republican Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee called Harris “our DEI Vice President” in a post on X. DEI as in, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.”

And the Washington State GOP posted yesterday on the same platform that Harris was “unqualified to lead,” adding, “Antimeritocratic DEI is not building back better, it's setting us further back.”

With the first Black and Asian woman – and only the second woman ever– headed to be the nominee of a major political party, how will racist and sexist tropes play a role in this campaign season?

And how are Black and Asian women gearing up to confront them?

Guest:

• Washington State Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland

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