Emily Clarke

Kamala Harris' South Asian Roots

Kamala Harris' appointment as vice president of the United States is historic. Not only is she the first woman to take the role, but she's also the first African American and the first person of Southeast Asian heritage.

Many news outlets and Indian op eds are praising this momentous occasion. But what exactly are Kamala Harris' South Asian roots?

Indian Roots

Kamala Harris' family is no stranger to politics. Her grandfather, P.V. Gopalan, was an influential Indian diplomat who played a big part in resettling East Pakistani refugees in India during 1971. While her grandfather died in 1998, he instilled a sense of resolve and independence into his daughter.

Shyamala Gopalan earned an opportunity to pursue graduate studies in 1958 at the tender age of 19. While P.V. Gopalan only learned of the opportunity after it was offered, he blessed his daughter's choice.

A Quest for Independence

Shyamala Gopalan only had a year of financial support from her father. P.V. Gopalan was adamant about his children pursuing their own success. It was something Shyamala took to heart and passed on to her daughters later in life.

Shyamala attended the University of California Berkeley campus during the early 1960s. It was a precarious time in the civil rights movement, and the young Indian immigrant jumped right in. She seeped herself into an activist culture, a pursuit that would follow her for the rest of her life.

The Birth of Kamala

Just five years after Shyamala Gopalan arrived in America, she married Donald Harris. Harris was a Jamaican graduate student. The two were an unconventional match, merging two distinct religions and cultures. But despite the odds against them, the two flouted boundaries and started a family.

Kamala Harris was born a year after the marriage, starting a life of activism and political strength that would take her directly to the White House.

Indian op eds continue to sing the praises of Kamala Harris, and the vice president isn't quick to forget her roots. She frequently touches upon her background, attributing the diversity of her background to the success she is today.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes for various magazines and news portals giving breaking news, South Asian stories & entertainment news. You can find her thoughts at global news blog.