During her speech at the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris often reflects on her South Asian heritage, particularly in relation to her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan. Gopalan, who passed away in 2009, profoundly influenced the vice president, instilling in her a deep connection to Indian culture and a commitment to social activism from an early age.
“In my mother’s journey, she was just 19 when she traveled from India to California with a steadfast dream,” Harris stated. “She taught us to tackle injustice rather than just complain about it.”
Gopalan was born and raised in Chennai, India, in a family committed to activism and civil service. After moving to the Bay Area and enrolling in the University of California, Berkeley, she became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Gopalan obtained her doctorate at the age of 25 and later became a respected researcher in the field of breast cancer.
Harris notes that her mother’s success did not shield her from the racism immigrants often face. “My mother was a brilliant, petite woman with an accent,” Harris commented. “I witnessed firsthand how society sometimes treated her, yet she never lost her composure.”
One of Harris’ memorable quotes originates from her mother, who would say, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.” This sentiment has resonated with many, leading to widespread sharing on social media platforms.
Harris began to emphasize her racial identity more prominently during her 2019 presidential campaign, recounting how her mother’s Indian roots shaped her upbringing. She embraced traditional South Indian cuisine and was immersed in the Tamil language spoken by her mother.
In her memoir, Harris wrote about the importance of her heritage and the affectionate expressions she received in her mother’s native language. She frequently visited India as a child, and her experiences with her progressive grandfather significantly influenced her political views. Recently, she shared her South Asian heritage by collaborating with actress Mindy Kaling to prepare a traditional dish, masala dosa.
Despite her strong connection to her Indian roots, Harris acknowledges that her mother was keenly aware of their identity as Black women. She grew up attending both a Black Baptist church and a Hindu temple, which her mother facilitated to ensure that Harris and her sister embraced their Black identity.
Harris attended Howard University, a noted historically Black institution, where she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest Black Greek-lettered sorority. While she doesn’t often dwell on her experiences with racism, she has expressed pride in her identity. In a past interview, she remarked, “I’m Black, and I’m proud of being Black,” underscoring that she will always embrace her racial identity without needing to justify it to others.