As Kamala Harris makes her campaign for one of the world’s most prestigious positions, we explore the impact of her mother’s ancestors’ history and the Indian side of her family.
The first female vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, has frequently been praised for the depth and diversity of her upbringing to her public character.
Her political career and accomplishments are widely known, but her Indian heritage—which she inherited from her mother—represents a substantial part of who she is. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Kamala’s mother, had a major influence in forming her bond with her Indian heritage.
As Harris makes her quest for one of the world’s most prestigious positions, we explore the impact of Kamala’s Indian family and the heritage of her mother’s ancestors.
Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Kamala’s mother, was an extraordinary person in her own right. Shyamala, who was born in Chennai, India, moved to the US in the early 1960s to pursue further education. At the University of California, Berkeley, where she was pursuing a Ph.D. in endocrinology, she finally met and married Jamaican student Donald Harris. 1964 saw the birth of Kamala, their daughter.
In addition to being a committed scientist, Shyamala was an activist who supported social justice and civil rights. Her dedication to these causes and her contributions to breast cancer research had a significant impact and were a reflection of the principles she instilled in Kamala. Kamala Harris’s career and outlook were greatly influenced by Shyamala’s advocacy and commitment to her work.
Speaking at the 2020 “South Asians for Biden” event, Kamala shared how her mother had fostered in her and her sister, Maya, a love of idli.
Who were Kamala’s grandparents?
Kamala spoke of taking “long walks” in Chennai with her grandfather during the same event.
P. V. and Rajam Gopalan, her maternal grandparents, were well-known members of Indian society. Kamala’s mother Shyamala and her siblings were raised by Rajam, a housewife, and P. V. Gopalan, a government officer and social justice activist.
Harris has stated that her mother made sure she and her sister Maya maintained a close bond with their Indian background even though they were living in the United States. Her family observed several Indian holidays, such as Diwali, and she was raised with Indian food and traditions, which greatly influenced who she is.
The American ideal and the ways that people from different origins may influence and improve public life are both reflected in Harris’s narrative.
