Vice President Kamala Harris is facing a surge of misogynistic attacks online after becoming the front-runner for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. She is expected to run against Republican nominee Donald Trump in the upcoming election after Joe Biden withdrew from the race. Sexist and racist trolls, some linked to the MAGA movement, have been sharing graphic and sexualized memes and jokes about Harris online. These attacks intensified after Biden announced Harris as his choice for the top of the ticket.
Following the news of Harris being chosen as the Democratic nominee, anti-Harris trolls took to social media to spread vile and misogynistic content. Some Photoshopped images of Harris onto scantily clad or nude women to imply that she only achieved success by engaging in sexual acts. Other trolls focused on Harris not having biological children, suggesting she is unfit to lead a country that sends others’ children to war. Notorious troll Milo Yiannopoulos has also been sharing derogatory memes about Harris online, referring to her as “Cumala” and alleging a “sordid sexual history.” CNN columnist Jill Filipovic criticized these attacks, pointing out the hypocrisy of attacking Harris while ignoring Trump’s history of infidelity.
Sexist and racist attacks on Harris are not new and have been a constant presence throughout her career, particularly when she was chosen as Biden’s running mate in 2020. Research studies have shown that these attacks reinforce traditional race and gender stereotypes, particularly when targeting a multiracial woman like Harris. Some political strategists have expressed concern that these attacks could impact Harris’ bid for the presidency, given that American voters have only elected one Black president and have never elected a woman. The discriminatory nature of these attacks is a reflection of broader societal biases.
The attacks on Harris reflect a broader pattern of misogyny and racism that women and women of color in politics often face. These attacks are meant to delegitimize Harris’s qualifications and accomplishments based on her gender and race. It is essential to recognize and challenge these attacks to ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender or race, are able to participate fully in the political process without facing discrimination. Harris has yet to comment on the attacks she has faced online, but it is clear that these attacks are part of a larger pattern of discrimination that she, and other women in politics, face on a regular basis.
