Between Representation and Resistance: The Kamala Harris Dilemma

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When I see the potential for Kamala Harris to become the first Black woman president in my lifetime, I feel the weight of history. As someone deeply rooted in the struggles of my people, fighting for our humanity and our right to political power, her nomination is profound. The symbolism of a Black woman shattering that ceiling is undeniable. But as an activist who knows this country is built on colonialism, systemic violence, and white supremacy, I understand that representation, while powerful, is not the same as liberation.

My fight is with this country. And when Kamala Harris becomes president, my fight will be with her, just as with Barack Obama. I flew out and celebrated Obama’s inauguration in DC and witnessed the triumph of a Black man ascending to the highest office in a nation built on our ancestors' oppression. But once the confetti was swept up, we had to get back to the work. Obama, after all, was responsible for killing more Brown people around the world than any president before him. The same may even happen with Kamala Harris. Her historic victory won’t shield her from our criticism, but it shouldn’t take away the joy and pride of seeing a Black woman in that position either.

Questioning Harris

Many in the activist community accuse Kamala Harris of supporting U.S. complicity in the genocide of Palestinians, and they’re not wrong to question her role in these policies. As vice president under Joe Biden, Harris is part of an administration that continues to send billions in military aid to Israel while war crimes are openly committed against Palestinians. While Biden did call for a ceasefire, his actions, such as funding Israel's ongoing bombardment, render those words hollow. Harris, in line with Biden's broader policy, has voiced support for a ceasefire and addressed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. While her tone has been notably more forceful than Biden’s, especially in meetings with Israeli leaders, the substance of her stance remains aligned mainly with the administration’s approach. Words alone won’t end the violence, but I hope that if Harris becomes president, she’ll push for more significant shifts in policy—not just on Israel-Palestine, but on many other critical issues of systemic violence and injustice.

Activists are right to question her involvement in these policies. She’s part of the system, and her words, while encouraging, are just words for now. I’m cautiously optimistic that, if given full power, she might push for real changes. However, I’m also clear that my support for her doesn’t continue automatically after casting a vote—it will take organizing and pressure to hold her accountable. Still, I know that if Donald Trump wins, the situation for Palestinians will likely be far worse. During his presidency, Trump backed some of the most egregious Israeli actions, including legitimizing illegal settlements in the West Bank and cutting critical aid to Palestinians. He dismissed the two-state solution and greenlit Israeli annexation plans that would permanently displace Palestinians.

Trump’s rhetoric has often encouraged Israel to “finish what they started,” pushing for swift military victories with little regard for Palestinian lives. If he returns to office, we can expect even more dangerous policies that further entrench Israeli dominance and erase any hope for Palestinian sovereignty. While Biden’s policies are harmful, Trump would escalate the violence even further, making it essential to fight for a better alternative.

We must acknowledge that the fight doesn’t end with casting a ballot. Malcolm X said, "by any means necessary," and voting is one means. But no colonial power will ever let you vote away oppression, and no capitalist class will allow you to vote away their wealth. Real change takes political and social organizing beyond the ballot box. And that’s where our work continues.

Divisions

I worry deeply about the divisions among colonized people when faced with a candidate like Kamala Harris. Our struggles are not monolithic, and judging each other’s choices harshly is easy when our needs feel different. These divisions are rooted in historical wounds—be it from the Black community, Indigenous people, or Palestinian solidarity movements. Some see Harris as a symbol of progress, while others, particularly from Arab and Muslim communities, view her as part of an oppressive U.S. system that has continuously funded the colonization and genocide of Palestinians. These internal conflicts weaken our collective power to challenge a shared enemy: white supremacy and imperialism.

Harris may represent something monumental for Black people if she becomes president, but make no mistake—she’ll also be an adversary in the fight to dismantle the very colonial system she will lead. As activists, we must strike a balance between recognizing the significance of her ascent while refusing to allow her position to silence our demands for justice. Her presidency must not fracture our solidarity across colonized communities.

We can’t afford to settle for symbolic victories. Yes, we will celebrate the representation Kamala Harris brings, but we will hold her feet to the fire every step of the way. The same system of colonialism, genocide, and white supremacy she inherits is the one we will dismantle—with or without her. Solidarity among colonized people isn’t about uniformity but aligning in the fight for liberation. My hope is not passive; it’s a call to action. We will organize, resist, and tear down the system that thrives on our oppression. Twice for this black woman if I could.

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