Janet Jackson Comments on Kamala Harris’ Heritage Spark Controversy
Pop icon Janet Jackson has stirred discussion recently during an interview with The Guardian concerning comments made about Democratic presidential candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris. Jackson claimed to have heard assertions suggesting that Harris is “not Black,” fueling an ongoing narrative linked to former President Donald Trump’s previous scrutiny of Harris’ racial identity.
Jackson’s Allegations and Correction
In the interview, Jackson stated, “She’s not Black. That’s what I heard — that she’s Indian. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days. I was told they discovered her father was white.” This led to a quick correction from the interviewer, who reiterated that Harris has both Indian and Black heritage, a fact that has been part of her identity throughout her political journey.
The Vice President’s Heritage
Kamala Harris has consistently identified herself as Black and famously made history as the first Black and Asian American woman to serve as Vice President of the United States. Her father, Donald J. Harris, is an economist from Jamaica, while her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a well-respected biomedical scientist from India.
Trump’s Controversial Remarks
This is not the first time questions have been raised regarding Harris’s racial identity. In a July conference with Black journalists, Donald Trump commented on Harris’s heritage, claiming she historically identified more with her Indian roots. “I did not know she was Black until a number of years ago,” Trump stated. “She was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she became Black.”
Jackson’s Hesitation on Readiness for a Woman of Color in Leadership
When asked whether America is ready for a woman of color in the vice presidency, Jackson’s response was non-committal. “Honestly, I don’t want to answer that because I really, truthfully, don’t know. I think either way it goes, there’s going to be mayhem,” she remarked, highlighting the complexities surrounding race and political identity in contemporary discourse.
