Like many of you, I have been wrestling with my thoughts and feelings since election day. And honestly, one emotion that keeps reeling is rage. The sentiment is: Don't ask Black women to save nothing else. It's painfully obvious that the majority of this country is okay with a racist, misogynistic, sexist enemy of progress as the leader of our free world. As far as Black women are concerned, we will protect ourselves in the ways we know how.
As I have been reading different articles about Kamala Harris, I came across one that talked about her "humiliating defeat," how her power is gone, and that she'll soon be out of a job. The journalist then went on to compare her to John Quincy Adams?
The comparison between Vice President Kamala Harris and John Quincy Adams is problematic, in more ways than one. On the surface, both occupy significant positions in American political history, with Harris being the first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian American to hold the office of Vice President, and Adams being the sixth President of the United States. However, their careers, legacies, and circumstances are vastly different, making such a comparison misleading, and frankly, disrespectful.
Kamala Harris entered the national stage as a trailblazer in state and local politics, serving as district attorney and later as California’s attorney general. Her background is in law and criminal justice, not foreign diplomacy. She made history by becoming the first woman of color to be elected vice president, which is an achievement in itself. However, her rise to the vice presidency came as part of a broader political campaign rooted in domestic policy and social justice, particularly issues related to race, gender, and inequality.
If you let the history books tell it, of the first seven U.S. presidents, John Quincy Adams and his father John Adams were the only two who did not bring enslaved people into the White House. Just like Abraham Lincoln, John Quincy Adams’ is more complicated. Although his long fight against Congress’ “gag rule” later earned him a reputation for personally opposing slavery, it was impossible to escape the institution in early nineteenth-century Washington, D.C. Everyday life in the nation’s capital relied heavily upon enslaved labor. John Quincy Adams’ family was no exception. His wife, Louisa Catherine Adams, was born in and grew up in London, but her father’s family lived in Maryland and many of them owned enslaved people. If the Adams family had a problem being waited on by enslaved servants, they certainly left no record of it.
It baffles me why the journalist chose this comparison. Comparing Kamala Harris to John Quincy Adams is a flawed exercise that overlooks the glaring differences in their lives, careers, and historical contexts.
The truth - It's just ignorant. More importantly, it's the journalist's way of trying to shame and degrade her, while justifying it with his power of opinion.
While both held high office in the United States—Adams as president and Harris as vice president—their paths to power, the political climates they navigated, and their legacies are worlds apart. Kamala Harris is a Black woman, in case that is lost on anyone. If you're going to compare her and her journey to someone, let's do that with Shirley Chisholm.
Shirley Chisholm and Kamala Harris are both monumental figures in American politics, but their legacies are shaped by distinct historical contexts, personal achievements, and approaches to public service. While they share a commitment to breaking barriers for women and people of color, their careers and the legacies they leave behind are shaped by their unique journeys and the different political climates in which they operated.
Shirley Chisholm made history in 1968 when she became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She represented New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms, from 1969 to 1983. In 1972, Chisholm made an audacious bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first Black woman to run for president of the United States. Though she did not win the nomination, her campaign represented a powerful challenge to the political establishment and provided inspiration to generations of women and people of color who had been excluded from the highest levels of politics.
She was a fierce advocate for the rights of minorities, women, and the poor. She was known for her outspoken positions on issues like civil rights, education, healthcare, and social justice. As a member of Congress, she worked on policies aimed at improving access to education, eliminating poverty, and advocating for minority rights. Chisholm’s famous motto, "Unbought and Unbossed," encapsulated her independent and unapologetically radical approach to politics. She resisted political party pressures and spoke out on issues she felt were important, even when they conflicted with mainstream party politics.
Kamala Harris made history in 2020 as the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to be elected Vice President of the United States. Her election marked a significant milestone in American politics, particularly for women and racial minorities.
Before becoming Vice President, Harris had an influential career as a district attorney and then as the Attorney General of California. She was the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian to hold the office of Attorney General in California, where she made strides in criminal justice reform, prosecuting cases involving environmental violations, and advocating for immigrant rights.
As a U.S. Senator from California, Harris was known for her sharp questioning during Senate hearings, particularly her grilling of nominees to the Supreme Court. Her tenure in the Senate cemented her status as a formidable political figure, with a focus on progressive causes such as healthcare reform, climate change, and racial justice.
Shirley Chisholm was a pioneering figure who directly challenged the political establishment of her time, breaking barriers for Black women in politics in ways that were radically new. She positioned herself as an outsider, driven by idealism and a desire for social change, making her a symbol of defiance against racial and gender oppression. In contrast, Kamala Harris reached the pinnacle of American politics by navigating within the system, leveraging experience and expertise in law and government to gain institutional power. Her accomplishments as the first female Vice President walks in the footsteps of Shirley Chisholm.
Together, they embody the evolution of Black women in politics—one who defied conventions and fought for a better future and another who helped make that future possible through strategic power within the political system. Something John Quincy Adams had nothing to do with.
While we, as Black women, continue to navigate what the next four years will mean for us, we can be certain that Kamala Devi Harris is not powerless or washed up. She is not defeated but only stronger by the journey she has endured. What will she do next? Whatever the heck she wants. And she'll have 92 percent of us backing her up. Whatever it is will not be the reflection of anything John Quincy Adams said, did, or claimed to have not done.
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