The Republicans’ racist attacks on Kamala Harris have begun

While the Democrats largely agree on Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate, Right-wing politicians and pundits resorted to racist dog whistles in their attacks on the vice president, a black and South Asian American.

Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee called Harris a “DEI employee.”

Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin claimed that many Democrats felt they had to supports Harris’ candidacy “because of her ethnic background.”

Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate, said Harris was not “grateful” to the country.

Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Donald Trump’s running mate, said Harris was not “grateful” for the country. “When I listen to Kamala Harris, I never hear that gratitude,” Vance said at a rally in Ohio.

Former Trump White House advisor Kellyanne Conway said Harris is unable to express herself and is lazy – two common negative stereotypes used to disparage black Americans. “She doesn’t speak well, she doesn’t work hard, she doesn’t inspire anyone,” Conway said.

The ugly attacks on Harris began even before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on Sunday and endorsed her as his successor. As Democrats openly defected after Biden’s debate performance and discussion escalated over who would replace him at the top of the ballot, so too did claims that Harris was in her position only because of identity politics, rather than because she had earned the spot on merit.

The New York Post recently published a column by Fox Business senior correspondent Charles Gasparino, who warned that Harris could become the “country’s first DEI president.”

In a sense, these Republicans are following the example of their front-runner.

Sebastian Gorka, a former Trump White House aide and a prominent right-wing figure, repeated a similar insult shortly afterward: “She’s a DEI employee, right? She’s a woman! She’s of color! So she must be good.”

In some ways, these Republicans are following their champion’s example. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has called people of color “animals” and spread racist conspiracy theories against non-white opponents – including his Republican colleagues. He has attacked the appearance of some women and sexualized others.

Trump has also personally attacked Harris. In 2020, after Biden chose her as his running mate, Trump helped fuel a false, racist “birther” conspiracy theory about her and also called her a “monster,” “mean,” and “the meanest, most horrible, most disrespectful person in the U.S. Senate.” More recently, he has mocked her laughter and attempted to belittle her intelligence.