How Ms Harris became the hope for every girl, every black child, and every kid from any single parent. The new dream of the land of the free and brave. The unravelling of a new nation of equity and universal education?
By Professor Chris Imafidon – Before this inauguration, the most powerful positions belonged to men, ivy-league educated black men or highly connected families. Women belonged to the bedroom, kitchen and home-making and NOT nation building. Ladies were for procreation or recreation not corporate creation.
Black girls were prepared for servitude and silence, that to-be-seen and not heard. The unsung chorus was that “Black lives do not matter”. The universal response was “neither do ladies matter” Then came Kamala from California. Really? Kamala, daughter of Harris who was born in segregated America took the non traditional route and fought with her parents against everything that America represented. And today girls, ladies and women everywhere can look beyond the traditional roles and climb the highest mountain of power and privilege irrespective of gender or race.
Most girls know where their mothers work and that tends to inform their professional aspiration or ambitions. It does not matter if you were from the deep south, south, rich north, east or west of the nation. So it is obvious why it took over 200 years for this miracle of a female Vice President to happen. How can the daughter of an Indian and Jamaican travel across the nation and shatter every glass ceiling? It down to parenting, mentorship, drive, determination and education, It is core to understand that every child is born a genius #GeniusInYou
Harris frequently references her upbringing in California, almost as frequently Britain’s Mrs Margaret Thatcher, Diane Abbott, or Dawn Butler. Their similarities reveal more about the debate of all-girls’-high school against career education. This is more significant than just a mere symbolism for “smart girls” vs supported girls. The story of very girl is different but there are fundamentals, which determine pioneers versus pen-pushers.
All Black women understand how slavery differs from service. This generation has completely forgotten a Blackman, Charles Curtis who in March 4th, 1929 was asked to serve President Herbert Hoover as Vice President until March 4th 1933.
One is clear in the changing roles of ladies. Besides the above, every girl who saw the swearing-in-ceremony sees the increasing role of women in the world’s most prominent democracy. It does not matter if it is Asian, or Black background. Harris’ political opponents called her a “monster” which really means fearless and confident. This is exactly what Shirley Chisholm, the first black female presidential aspirant suffered. Ms Harris as a child attended many civil rights and political meetings accompanied by her mother, Shyamala Gopal Harris.
The fact that Ms Kamala Harris attended a non-ivy league historically black colleges (HBCU) is further testimony of the significance of early education as a foundation for success. HBCUs such as Howard University are unique to the USA as a legacy of segregation in education and plants a seed of discord because of the underfunding and associated disadvantage. South Africa has since updated its universities to achieve so degree of equity and meritocracy. Speaking to Howard students recently, the then Senator Harris said “You students have joined the fight for justice – you protested. From the streets of Ferguson to the halls of the United States Congress, you have lived the words of James Baldwin, ‘There is never a time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment, the time is always now.'”
If America wants a steady supply of women and black leaders, the work must start early. It begins from schools, colleges and universities to internships and exposures. It must acknowledge that everyone is born a genius, irrespective of gender, race or background. When there is universal access to ivy-league education for every child regardless of economic status.
Then it will be visible to all girls that they also belong to the boardroom instead of just the bedroom, and belong to the Kitchen cabinet in Washington rather than the Kitchen in Wyoming. We know why company creation is more in Silicon Valley, the pipeline in the universities and colleges. The magic is education designed to express the genius in each individual.
Professor Chris Imafidon, is a multi-Guinness World record holder; world renowned adviser to monarchs, governments, presidents and corporate leaders; Mentor to New York Times Bestellers and a Sunday Times Op-ed author.
Twitter @ChrisImafidon; Instagram @CoImafidon; Facebook/Linkedln –Professor Chris Imafidon
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