Kamala Harris made her first remarks as the first Black, Asian American vice-presidential candidate in US history by highlighting the importance of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
The women who fought for that right “inspired us to pick up the torch and fight on”, Harris said. Among the inspiring women in her life, Harris spoke of her mother and the values of compassion for all people she instilled.
Harris said she is “committed to the values she (my mother) taught me, to the word that teaches me to walk by faith, and not by sight, and to a vision passed on through generations of Americans – one that Joe Biden shares. A vision of our nation as a beloved community – where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love.”
Though the majority of her acceptance speech was positive, she did challenge Trump, calling out conspiracy theories and racism present in the US that are often linked with his presidency.
“Today, that country feels distant. Donald Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods.”
As the country grieves the loss of life and “opportunity”, Harris said there is hope the US can move forward with Biden at the helm.
“Let’s fight with hope”, Harris said, “for the America we know is possible. For the America we love.”
