It was an announcement that rocked the world — Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, picked Sen. Kamala Harris, of California, as his running mate.
Harris, a former attorney general, who has broken many barriers in her career, is now the first Black woman and first South Asian-American to be a VP nominee of a major political party.
A long list of celebrities, artists, and politicians took to social media to share their emotions about the historical aspect of the Biden/Harris ticket.
A few days after the announcement, Harris received the endorsement that could top them all the others.
Michelle Obama took to social media, where she shared two photos of Harris — in one, Harris is hugging two little girls, and in the other one, she poses with her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who was a cancer scientist/researcher and civil rights activist.
In her sweet and powerful message, Obama said it is hard for her to wrap her head around the news because she never expected to see a woman who looks like her reach so far.
Obama began the post by speaking about her childhood: “You get used to it, even as a little girl—opening the newspaper, turning on the TV, and hardly ever seeing anyone who looks like you. You train yourself to not get your hopes up. And sometimes it’s a battle just to keep telling yourself that you might deserve more. Because no matter how much you prepare, no matter what grades you get or even how high you rise at work, it always feels like someone is waiting to tell you that you’re not qualified. That you’re not smart enough. That you’re too loud or too bossy. That there’s just something about you …you’re just not quite the right fit.”
The former first lady went on to explain what Harris’s new job means for little girls: “Change can be slow and frustrating, but signs of progress are all around us. This week Senator @KamalaHarris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, became the first Black woman and first Asian-American woman on a major party’s presidential ticket. I’ve been thinking about all those girls growing up today who will be able to take it for granted that someone who looks like them can grow up to lead a nation like ours. Because @KamalaHarris may be the first, but she won’t be the last.”
The mother of two revealed: “I am here for it all. Let us embrace and celebrate this moment. Go get ’em girl. ??”
A female voter had this reaction to Obama’s message: “Well said! More girls need leadership references. Less unconscious bias is needed to change the narrative!”
Another social media user revealed: “I love you, Michelle. You are part of this moment too. We are because of you. ❤️”
Obama got this uplifting message from a follower: “She may be the first, but she won’t be the last. Amen!!
You beautiful, smart & a go For It. You can do anything with all of us who are for you. ????YOU ROCK.”
Harris was well received as a presumptive vice-presidential nominee.
