Where Is Kamala Harris? The Audacity of the Question
The recent calls for Kamala Harris to step into yet another high-stakes leadership role have left me utterly incredulous. After everything she’s endured, after the weight she’s carried, and after the monumental challenges she’s faced, the question—Where is Kamala Harris?—is not just tone-deaf. It’s downright unfair. Let’s be clear: Kamala Harris did an extraordinary job running for president under circumstances that would have broken a lesser person.
She was thrust into the race not by choice but by the Democratic Party’s betrayal of Joe Biden, who was forced to step down despite his evident commitment to the fight. And yet, Kamala stepped up. She stepped up with only 100 days to campaign for the presidency... 100 days. Let that sink in. She ran against incredible odds, against a political machine that seemed determined to undermine her at every turn. And now, folks are demanding that she lead us again. The audacity is staggering.
But let’s not forget the bigger picture here. Kamala Harris is a Black woman in America, and Black women are always asked to save the day. We see it on social media every day—Where are the Black women? Why aren’t they helping? As if Black women haven’t already given everything they possibly can. We’ve been the backbone of every social movement, every political campaign, and every community organization. And yet, we’re always expected to do more. Kamala Harris is no exception. She’s been asked to carry the weight of the Democratic Party, to rally the base, to take on the vengeful wrath of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and to do it all without so much as a thank you.
And now, after she’s been let down time and time again, people are wondering why she’s not stepping up again. The answer is simple: Kamala Harris deserves her rest.
Let’s compare this to Hillary Clinton. When Hillary lost to Trump in 2016, did anyone demand that she step up and lead the country? Did anyone question where she was or why she wasn’t doing more? No. She was allowed space to heal, to reflect, and to recharge. She wasn’t expected to immediately jump back into the fray. But Kamala Harris is held to a different standard. Why? Hmph… we know why! She’s expected to keep going, no matter how much she’s been hurt, no matter how many times she’s been let down. And if she doesn’t, she’s somehow failing us. It’s a double standard that’s both exhausting and infuriating.
And let’s not forget that Kamala might have her own plans. She might be considering a run for California Governor in 2026. But even if she isn’t, she’s entitled to make her own decisions about her future. She doesn’t owe us an explanation. She doesn’t owe us anything. What she deserves is respect, gratitude, and the space to do what’s best for her. The question—Where is Kamala Harris?—isn’t just a question. It’s a demand. It’s a demand that she put herself back in harm’s way, that she risk her own well-being for the sake of a country that hasn’t always been kind to her. And it’s time we stop making that demand. Kamala Harris deserves her rest. She deserves the same grace we afford to others. Anything less is unjust.
Truly an excellent article. I’m 100 percent with you, Kamala Harris deserves to rest!
I agree totally! I see this question a lot coming from white women and even though i am a white woman, it infuriates me. White women let her down when millions didn't vote for her. I mourn the future we could've had if she'd won and it is not on her to save us now. Let her be!