Where Is All This Anger Coming From?
The historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris brought with it a wave of pride and hope for many. But her journey hasn’t been met with unanimous support, especially within segments of the Black community, particularly among Black men. Despite the groundbreaking nature of her role as the first Black and South Asian woman to hold such a high office, Harris’ reception has been complex and, at times, critical. This response begs the question: Where is all this anger coming from? The answer is complex and involves a social dynamic where the progress of Black people is sometimes held back by those in their own community.
When people in the Black community see someone like Kamala Harris achieve a powerful position in a system that has historically oppressed them, their reaction isn’t just about her abilities or values. A healthy response would involve respectful dialogue and constructive criticism, urging Harris to use her influence to tackle systemic issues and advocate for justice. However, too often, her role is over simplified as merely participating in a system that has oppressed Black people—and, even more negatively, as someone who has actively upheld that system.
“Who Do You Think You Are?”
When Kamala Harris stands on a stage as Vice President, it can evoke feelings of discomfort or even hostility.
It’s not that people are angry at Harris as an individual; they are angry at the idea of her. This knee-jerk reaction of anger is an active emotional response. And, this reaction is intense, often expressed through feelings of resentment, jealousy, or even direct attacks on her character, including accusations about her intelligence, sexual history, and attempts to demonize her. It’s a visceral response that shows up through criticism, hostility, or efforts to undermine her achievements.
This type of response is a red flag in itself because it reveals underlying issues that go beyond legitimate criticism of policies or actions. It suggests that the anger and hostility directed at Kamala Harris are not about a fair assessment of her work, but rather a reaction driven by deeper, more problematic biases and emotions.
The anger directed at Kamala Harris should not be confused with the criticism she has faced regarding her past record in the criminal justice system or her historical stance on policies that affect the Black community. Criticisms about her policy decisions and record as a prosecutor are specific to her actions and their impact, and it’s understandable that some people might have concerns or disagreements with her past positions.
In the context of the current political landscape, this argument loses strength when considering her opponent’s current stance and actions. The alternative—a leader associated with the MAGA movement and proponent of policies like “Project 2025,” which includes rolling back civil rights and embracing exclusionary practices—represents a far greater threat to the progress and rights of marginalized communities. While it is fair to critique Harris’ policies, it’s essential to recognize that the current political alternative might actively work against the interests of the Black community. The displaced anger directed toward Harris should not be conflated with these policy critiques, especially when the stakes are so high in terms of leadership and the direction of the country.
The broader anger being discussed here is about something deeper. This kind of anger is about what Kamala Harris represents as a Black woman in power is less about her specific actions or policy decisions and more about how her success challenges deeply ingrained beliefs and fears within the community.
This type of anger comes from within the black community, not those who hold power or influence in society, such as employers, leaders, or those in decision making, and is an expression of internalized hatred.
This reaction is closely linked to those who have been told, directly or indirectly, where they belong in society, rather than being able to define their own identity and place for themselves. Those who avoid facing the difficult thought that they might have accepted less for themselves because of beliefs they’ve absorbed. It’s easier to attack someone who has rejected those types of impositions than to face the possibility that the limits they believed in might not be real.
Why Is This Anger – Too Often – Directed Toward Black Women?
When one person’s presence challenges biases and internalized narratives, it can feel like a personal affront to those who have accepted certain limitations about what is possible for them. As a result, instead of feeling inspired, they may feel exposed or even resentful because the ambitions of another highlights the limitations they have subconsciously accepted for themselves. This discomfort can lead to efforts to “put someone back in their place,” questioning their motives or integrity. It’s a way of keeping things the same, sticking to what feels familiar, even when those habits or limits hold people back.
For some Black Americans, Harris’ rise to power represents a complication in the already challenging landscape of identity and representation. She embodies a form of success that they themselves may feel excluded from, not just by systemic racism but by the ways that societal norms have shaped their expectations of themselves. Her visibility in a powerful role can feel like a painful reminder of their own struggles to navigate similar spaces.
The anger directed at Kamala Harris can be seen as a symbol of the broader anger directed at Black women in general.
Her success represents the achievements of Black women that challenge traditional norms and highlight the struggles they have faced. Kamala Harris’ rise to power embodies the complex emotions that arise when Black women succeed in spaces where many others have felt excluded or marginalized. This symbolism goes beyond Harris herself, reflecting the tension between progress, representation, and the enduring feelings of exclusion and pain.
When faced with feelings of frustration and powerlessness against larger systemic issues—such as systemic racism and exclusion—it can be easier to direct those emotions toward a more accessible and familiar target. This is a form of displaced aggression, where anger that originates from broader societal issues is redirected within the community.
Societal Narratives
Black women like Harris, who are visible in their success, become a lightning rod for these feelings because their achievements are seen as challenging the status quo. Rather than directing anger toward the oppressive systems themselves, it is redirected toward someone who appears to have navigated those systems successfully, seemingly without suffering the same constraints. This shifting of anger is easier than challenging bigger, more powerful systems, but it ends up creating divisions within the community and keeps in place the same barriers that hold everyone back from moving forward together.
The knee-jerk reaction of anger is also rooted in societal narratives that historically devalue Black women’s accomplishments. When a Black woman steps into a position of power, she challenges these narratives, demanding recognition for her talents and leadership.
This challenge can be unsettling for those who have grown up absorbing messages about the limitations based on race or gender. The reaction is not just a response to Harris’ individual achievements but a rejection of what her success suggests about the boundaries of possibility for others.
Understanding the Path Forward
Kamala Harris’ journey may be complicated, but it also holds the potential to be a catalyst for reflection, growth, and ultimately, a reimagining of what progress looks like for the Black community as a whole.
This complex interplay of historical roles, internalized oppression, societal expectations, and feelings of exclusion reflects a broader discomfort with the disruption of traditional norms and a struggle to reconcile self-actualizing within the collective experience of systemic oppression.
While the reaction may seem to target the individual, it is ultimately about the struggle with one’s sense of identity within a world where the rules and expectations are constantly shifting. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for fostering empathy, addressing internalized beliefs, and creating a space where Black progress is seen as a win for the entire community, not a target for division. By confronting these deep-seated feelings and embracing a broader vision of possibility, the Black community can move forward.
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