A GOP Congressman Labels Kamala Harris as a ‘DEI Hire’
In recent political developments, Republican Congressman Tim Burchett of Tennessee has made a controversial comment about Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling her as a ‘DEI hire.’ The acronym DEI refers to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Burchett’s statement implies that Harris was selected as Vice President Joe Biden’s running mate due to her being a woman of color, not based on her qualifications or experience. These comments have attracted considerable attention, with some political analysts foreseeing them as an indication of aggressive racial tactics that may emerge in the lead up to the 2024 presidential elections.
A Familiar Strategy
The remarks made by Burchett have reminded many of the tactics employed by the Republican party during the 2008 elections, when they spread conspiracies around President Barack Obama’s birthplace. Keith Boykin, a Democratic strategist, compared these recent tactics to the Republican “Southern Strategy” of the 1960s, which was characterized by playing on racial grievances to attract white voters. He stated, “White men were considered regardless of their competence. Meritocracy became a topic only when Black people, women, people of color, and queer people started entering the workforce and public sphere.”
Although Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson responded to these comments, underlining that the current election should center on “policies, not personalities”, Burchett’s comments led to a backlash. It was emphasized that these allegations exploit familiar racist themes about women of color, particularly Black women in the workspace.
Kamala Harris: Highly Qualified and Experienced
Kamala Harris carries an extensive list of qualifications and experience. She holds an elaborate career as a prosecutor, has served as San Francisco’s district attorney, later as California’s attorney general, and then won California’s 2016 US Senate race. In 2020, she became the first Black and South Asian Vice President in the history of the United States.
Bakari Sellers, a former South Carolina Democratic state representative, believes that Burchett’s comments “have turned the value of diversity into a slur”. He cautioned that people might not be fully prepared for the kind of campaign strategies Republicans might employ to tarnish Harris’s reputation.
Impact on the Election
According to Glynda Carr, president of Higher Heights for America, which encourages political involvement of Black women in politics, attacks on Harris’ race or gender could actually backfire on the Republicans. In fact, such strategies appear to be rallying Black women and men across the country in support of her candidacy. Carr pointed out that these remarks are “energizing the very voters that Vice President Kamala Harris needs to win”.
“Harris’s record speaks for itself and any suggestion that she’s a ‘DEI hire’ is a distraction,” observed Boykin. He concluded by asking, “How does attacking Kamala Harris as a ‘DEI hire’ help create a single job? How does it tackle inflation? It’s this divide and conquer mentality that they are using to prevent us from coming together.”
In response to these comments, Harris remained focused on her presidential campaign, proudly putting forth her record and experience during her first campaign rally.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
NOVI STAFF WRITER The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
