OPINION: “Mom! Kamala Harris’s family looks like ours!”
Photo via: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Olliver Hunt, a Freshman studying Journalism, argues that the Harris/Emhoff blended family is something that many Americans can appreciate to see represented.
For as long as Americans have known, Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have been part of traditional families. They are traditional in the sense that there is a mother, a father and their children. For the first time, America has a prominent political family that isn’t traditional. Kamala Harris has been breaking norms for a politician and, yet, she won’t stop. In 2014, Harris married Doug Emhoff, a lawyer from Brooklyn. Emhoff had been previously married and had two children, Ella and Cole Emhoff. So, when Emhoff and Harris tied the knot, Harris became a stepmother. This is not often seen in major political parties.
As someone who had a stepparent, I hold the notion that how you treat your stepchildren is very indicative of your character. Luckily, Ella Emhoff vouched for Harris’s character at the Democratic National Convention. She explained how Harris was, “always there for [her].” Ella went on to attest to the caring nature of Harris’s personality. While some see a model of their family in the media every day, others are seeing a model of theirs for the first time. It’s important to highlight different examples of American families to celebrate our diversity and individual experiences of our lives.
Becoming a stepparent is hard because you are inserting yourself into someone else’s kid’s life. Not many people are cut out for it, but the ones that are become integral to the development of that family unit. Harris has integrated herself well into the Emhoffs’ lives. Even Emhoff’s ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to endorse Harris and congratulate her for her official nomination. Kerstin Emhoff and Kamala Harris have grown to become friends and Emhoff even attended the Democratic National Convention to support the Harris/Emhoff family.
Harris inadvertently represents the 40% of households in America that are blended. Even though a chunk of American households are blended, the Harris/Emhoff family faces backlash. Ella Emhoff especially faces scrutiny from commenters on YouTube. One commenter, @70mjc, takes to the comment section hailing, “child abuse.” The commenter goes on to say “both parents deserve prison.” For what, exactly? From the context of the video, it seems the commenter is calling the presence of another adult in a child’s life abuse. It shows that even in 2024, we need representation and examples of nontraditional families. There are still individuals who don’t understand the role of a stepparent. The Harris/Emhoff family is fighting that lack of knowledge.
Kamala Harris is not shy when it comes to showing the love and care that exists within her family unit. Harris represents a sizable chunk of American blended families. Through family and loved ones, we can see Harris’ character even more. The representation, though overdue, is vital to America.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.