The final night of the Democratic National Convention featured a special tutorial on the correct pronunciation of Kamala Harris’ name, led by the candidate’s great nieces. Actress Kerry Washington introduced Amara and Leela, the daughters of Harris’ niece Meena Harris, to help attendees get it right. Amara explained that the name is pronounced with the first part sounding like “comma” and the second part like “la-la-la-la-la.” The audience enthusiastically practiced saying “comma” and “la” in response to the girls’ directions, showing support for the future vice-presidential nominee.
Some speakers at the Democratic National Convention, including former President Bill Clinton, have struggled with pronouncing Harris’ name correctly. Clinton pronounced it as “CAM-UH-LA” during his speech, while the teleprompter for Leon Panetta indicated the correct pronunciation as “Comma-la.” On the other hand, Republican candidate Donald Trump has intentionally mispronounced Harris’ name as “Kah-MAH-la,” a move that Democrats view as disrespectful. When asked about his mispronunciation, Trump claimed he had heard Harris’ name said in various ways and stated that he was not concerned about getting it right.
The mispronunciation of Kamala Harris’ name has become a point of contention during the election season, with some viewing it as a deliberate act of disrespect. Democrats have criticized Trump for consistently mispronouncing the name, while others, like Kerry Washington and Harris’ great nieces, have taken it upon themselves to educate others on the proper pronunciation. The moment at the Democratic National Convention where Amara and Leela gave a tutorial on the correct pronunciation of their great aunt’s name was a light-hearted yet important reminder of the significance of respecting others’ identities and names.
The tutorial on pronouncing Kamala Harris’ name during the Democratic National Convention served as a symbolic moment highlighting the diversity and inclusivity within the party. By showcasing the proper pronunciation of Harris’ name, the event emphasized the importance of recognizing and honoring individual identities. The enthusiastic response from the audience as they practiced saying “comma” and “la” reflected a collective effort to show support for Harris and ensure that her name is pronounced correctly moving forward. Overall, the moment served as a reminder of the significance of language and respect in political discourse.
