Staff Reports
Amid the latest round of unwelcome political theatrics, Kamala Harris has once again graced the public with her latest attempt to connect with a demographic she seemingly knows little about. In a recent speech, the Vice President ventured into the realm of cultural appropriation by donning a faux Latino accent, leaving many observers shaking their heads in disbelief. For a politician who has already surpassed the bar for cringe-worthy moments, this latest stunt felt both desperate and performative.
The history of partisan double standards easily stakes its claim on Harris’ antics, not unlike her boss, Joe Biden, and his notorious flubs. The Biden administration has seen its share of misplaced attempts at urgency, whether it involved slipping off the teleprompter or mispronouncing basic phrases. Yet, here stands Harris, fearlessly alluding to a new audience in a way that would make even the most seasoned impersonator cringe. One can’t help but wonder what Harris believes will resonate with voters: a caricature or a sincere message? So far, it looks like she’s having trouble deciding.
Historically, politicians have tried to connect with voters through accents and gestures. Barack Obama, the master of performative oration, certainly set a precedent. With his uncanny knack for “code-switching” to fit whichever crowd he found himself in, Obama transformed the art of musicality in speech into a tool for garnering support. While attempting to appeal to southern religious congregations, he took on an accent that could draw applause from a choir, but the authenticity of his delivery often raised eyebrows. In Harris’ case, however, there’s little debate; she simply cannot follow the blueprint laid out before her.
It comes as little surprise that Harris’s linguistic missteps mirror past blunders by other prominent Democrats. Take her predecessor in basement pandering, Hillary Clinton. During a speech that was supposed to connect with African Americans, Clinton infamously channeled a fictionalized version of her past, inspiring all the wrong sort of giggles. In comparison, Harris’s latest accent performance makes Clinton’s faux pas seem like Shakespearean soliloquy. Is there a “Most Awkward Politician” award? If so, the Vice President should claim her prize without delay.
And then there’s the term “Latinx,” a botched attempt at inclusivity that has yet to gain traction among actual Latino communities. The term often elicits eye rolls, a phenomenon that only amplifies when it’s paired with a distinctly inauthentic accent. Harris’s blatant attempt to pander to Hispanic voters while assaulting the language itself exemplifies the classic “out of touch” trope that many conservatives have come to see as a hallmark of the Democratic elite. It’s an exhibition of political correctness gone awry, and it’s an easy target for scrutiny.
In the realm of public relations, Harris seems less like a leader in touch with her constituents and more like a child playing dress-up with accents far from her own. As the Democrats scramble to salvage their image, they may want to consider whether employing such exaggerated theatrics will serve them in the coming elections. In the end, voters may prefer authenticity over childish antics, and with performances like Harris’s, the White House might need more than fabricated accents to win the day.
