To the editor: It will be naive to consider that neither sexism nor racism performed a job in Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat final month. However discuss of her because the titular chief of the Democratic Social gathering or a possible candidate for an additional workplace requires that Democrats be clear-eyed — first in regards to the social gathering’s failings, and second about Harris’ shortcomings. (“For many Black women, Kamala Harris’ defeat felt like a betrayal. Now what?” column, Dec. 18)
Sticking to what has been its path since not less than Invoice Clinton, the Democratic Social gathering continues to like humanity however not accomplish that properly with lots of people. Now it’s even dropping the ethnic minorities it took as a right.
As for Harris’ shortcomings, the fast succession of shifting marketing campaign themes — first it was “pleasure” (which was actually simply aid), then “it’s all about abortion,” and at last “Donald Trump is a fascist” — demonstrated that she was no higher a nominee in 2024 than when she was the primary to get out of the marketing campaign in 2019. She ought to head for personal life.
Democrats should do excess of merely work on their “messaging.” Messaging is simply the TV jingle, the label on the pet food can.
In different phrases, the election was not a “betrayal” — not of girls or Black voters basically. Whereas it’s unclear that anybody may have crushed Trump below the circumstances in 2024, the end result should not be dismissed as a one-off.
David Van Iderstine, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Sure, what Teja Smith and different Black ladies leaders really feel is real. However we have to keep in mind Harris got here inside 1.5 proportion factors of profitable the favored vote, and that was due to folks like Smith who’ve lead us with understanding, morality and goodness.
I’m a 78-year-old white lady who follows their lead. My husband and I donated cash to the marketing campaign, labored cellphone banks and went door to door. When this election was misplaced, we felt just like the arc of justice had crashed at our toes.
However my associates jogged my memory that we should proceed the struggle, and possibly the arc is longer than we assumed.
On Nov. 11, we attended a household reunion. All of us labored laborious for this election and had been heartbroken. We finally determined there are methods to perform or work towards our objectives inside our communities.
Our nation must get to the tip of the journey. To folks like Smith, I say: Please don’t abandon your management, as a result of we want you.
Cheryl Youthful, Los Angeles
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To the editor: It isn’t that Individuals of any race gained’t vote for a Black lady for president. It’s simply that they didn’t need the lady who was truly working.
The bulk wished somebody who was nominated, not anointed. They wished somebody who would reply to a query in fewer than 500 phrases.
Harris’ complete marketing campaign message may very well be summed up as, “When you appreciated President Biden, you’ll love me.” The bulk didn’t like both one.
John Weber, Pomona
