Renowned country singer Mickey Guyton discusses the significance of her performance at the Democratic National Convention, saying “Shirley Chisholm paved the way for Kamala Harris to rise.”
On Monday night, Guyton joined artists like James Taylor and Jason Isbell at the Democratic National Convention.
Guyton expressed her deep love for her nation and felt privileged to foster unity within such an important movement. She shared those sentiments with CNN in an interview Monday.
Becoming the first Black woman to receive a Grammy nomination for best country solo performance in 2021, Guyton admitted she never imagined a woman of color could become president of the United States.
Guyton found it inspiring to see a figure who not only possessed great intelligence but also shared her racial identity running for the highest office in the land. She strongly believed that Harris represented something meaningful to many people.
She went on to say that she had never imagined seeing a woman preside over the country in her lifetime, but that it now seemed possible.
Regarding Harris’ journey, Guyton expressed joy, noting the enormous impact it had on her personally. She went on to praise Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a mixed-race lawyer and a graduate of a historically black university (HBCU), for bringing hope to the country.
Guyton’s acclaimed 2020 single, “Black Like Me,” was released as the public was embroiled in protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Guyton has been open about the racism she’s encountered in country music and has proudly affirmed her role in creating a path for other Black artists in the genre.
Reflecting on her performance at the Democratic National Convention, she said, “To me, it’s about more than just a genre of music. It’s about humanity, it’s about our culture, and it’s about our country.” She proudly admitted that she felt honored to be a part of history.
Finally, Guyton drew parallels between Harris’ campaign and that of Shirley Chisholm, who became the first black candidate to seek a major party nomination in 1972. Guyton concluded by saying, “All I can say is that Shirley Chisholm stole so Kamala could rise.”
Guyton’s mesmerizing performance at the Democratic National Convention was a highlight of the night, proving that music is a powerful tool to entertain and unite. Following her Grammy nomination, Guyton’s music has become a platform to express her experiences and advocate for change in the country music scene.
