What Kamala win means to black women

When Kamala Harris was declared vice president-elect, many women of colour found it hard to hide their joy. They understood clearly what her win – at a distinctively high political position –means.

There are many layers to the strenuous journeys that women of colour endure for just one win – these have been spoken and written about. But because the world’s backbone is held together by systems that work tirelessly to dismiss black women, let me remind you what this win means.

Foremost, black women understand the burden of their own excellence. Being excellent while black and female are all different struggles.

We see this in the way excellent black females from a young age are constantly doubted and reminded to be less of themselves. Condescending comments like “don’t ask too many questions” or “don’t be too competitive” are often thrown at them.

As an adult, a myriad unsolicited ideals about where a black woman fits in societies that demand patriarchal minimalism of women hover over her. A woman then has to garner the strength to win herself back from all the impossible demands of the world. This is never easy.

Injustice

Secondly, black women know not only the value of time but also the injustice of it. The black woman is positioned at the bottom of the hierarchy. This means they do all the labour, make all the sacrifices, have access to the least of resources, attend to everyone’s needs while being expected to deliver at optimum level. This is why black women finish last despite doing initial groundbreaking work.

Furthermore, they have to consistently spend their time fighting systems that uphold gender and racial biases. The labour, time and resources required in earning back black women’s time is why it takes longer for them to achieve what seems easily achievable to others.

Thirdly, black women understand the weight that comes with being visible, being black and being female as these existences never yield rest for them. Hyper visible black women are up against monumental challenges, making rest a luxury that very few of them can afford. Additionally, the cost of visibility for women is so high and dreary that seeing a black woman in a position of utmost visibility and power is a validation.

Visible women

Powerful and visible women are thus the seeds that challenge narratives against black women in leadership and demand collective effort in shifting old norms and biased structures. My grandmother often said for just one woman to win, entire generations of women had to shift because a woman winning is no ordinary task.

 There are many more important issues that make this moment special and necessary for black women. However, the most critical of all is that this is a portal of hope. So, as many black women bask in gratitude and joy, may we all get fired up for this new beginning.

 The journey of someone set to be the US’s first black female vice-president and the immense possibilities it creates.

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