O n 22 August 1964, a Black activist called Fannie Lou Hamer gave an iconic speech at the Democratic national convention (DNC), taking the party to task for its failure to support equal voting rights. Hamer did not get what she wanted that particular night in Atlantic City, but she helped pave the way for a new generation of American leaders. On the 60th anniversary of that historic address, Kamala Harris stood centre stage at the DNC in Chicago as the Democratic party’s candidate for president and gave the most important speech of her life.
The buildup to Thursday night was intense; Harris had been prepping furiously for this pivotal moment, reportedly workshopping her speech “ nearly line by line ”. If the weight of history, and the pressure of the present, hung heavy on Harris’s shoulders she did not let it show. Ever since Joe Biden passed her the baton a month ago Harris has been a changed woman.
Gone is the uncertain vice-president who didn’t seem quite at ease in her role. Gone is the often-awkward orator. Harris is in her element now and it shows.
She’s spent the last month radiating joy. Electric and effervescent, she did not so much speak last night as sing. While joy has been a major theme of the DNC, Harris’s speech made clear she wasn’t just about good vibes, she was ready to get to work.
“OK, let’s get to business,” she said repeatedly as an exuberant crowd greeted her entrance with seemingly endless applause and chants of “USA”. A key .