UMD students reflect on Kamala Harris’ impact on underrepresented communities

Some University of Maryland students find Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign inspiring and extraordinary for several historically underrepresented communities.

If elected, Harris will be the first female president of the United States. She made history back in August when she became the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to lead a major political party — a first that holds significance for many students and organizations across campus.

“The fact that someone like us is running for such a high position in our government and will be in the public eye so often is truly inspiring and empowering to us,” Carissa Robinson, co-vice president of programming for the Black Student Union, he said.

The Black Student Union board is made up mostly of women, said the junior dance, government and politics major. Seeing black women running for office makes Robinson think, “That could be me one day,” she said.

She added that black students are often underrepresented at predominantly white institutions like this university.

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Harris’ election victory will show that black students can “come from anywhere,” whether it be a predominantly white institution or a historically black college or university, Robinson said. A win would have an impact on students, especially those in the black community, and could inspire them to pursue their dreams, she added.

Denise Demontagnac is president of the university’s chapter of Black Girls Vote, an organization focused on voter education, women’s empowerment and community outreach. She said Harris is a great candidate for the Democratic Party and that her candidacy helps black women feel more represented in politics.

“We live in a country deeply rooted in racial hatred and discrimination,” Demontagnac said. “A lot of people can’t imagine a black woman as president of the United States, given the history of this country and how they have treated women and how they have treated black women.”

Demontagnac, a senior administration and policy major, said she believes having a Black leader empowers Black people and makes them feel more seen. Harris’ victory will encourage young women to get involved in politics and allow them to see that they can make an impact in their community, she added.

According to Demontagnac, many Black Girls Vote members value reproductive freedom and support Harris’ plans to restore abortion rights.

Other students said they didn’t think Harris’ candidacy represented their values.

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Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena, president of the Asian American Student Union, said that, like Harris, she is the daughter of immigrants and identifies as South Asian American.

While she believes Harris’ multiracial background is significant, Harris does not represent her, said Amarawardena, a senior government and policy specialist.

“I don’t think her candidacy represents my community to the best of her ability,” she said.

Amarawardena said some Asian Americans are upset with President Joe Biden and Harris’ policies toward Israel’s war in Gaza. She said Harris was not listening to concerns about the conflict, including calls for an arms embargo on Israel.

He wants Harris to listen to those calling for an end to Israel’s violence in Gaza and more humanitarian aid in the region.

According to the Associated Press, Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took 250 people hostage in an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel declared war on Hamas the next day and since then its military has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

“I just hope that if Kamala is elected, people will not stop standing up for the issues they care about and will continue to push politicians, both local and national, to represent their perspectives,” Amarawardena said.

Ashley Gitau, vice president of iGNiTE, an organization that empowers women to get involved in politics and leadership, said Harris is a good example of how women can have power in leadership spaces.

“She broke barriers that we also hope to break,” said the junior government and policy major.