The heat of the US presidential election is now being felt through the statements of the candidates. Republican Party candidate and former President Donald Trump has intensified his verbal attacks on his opponent Kamala Harris. Known for his outspokenness, Trump questioned Kamala Harris' racial identity in his latest statement. Trump said whether Harris is Indian or black… He alleged that Kamala Harris is using her black identity for electoral advantage, when until a few days ago Kamala Harris was of Indian origin.
Although Kamala Harris has given a jaw-dropping response to Trump's statement, his statement can reverse the victory in the election. Both Indian and black Americans may be offended by Donald Trump's comments.
Ethnic identity is an emotional issue for anyone. Racial discrimination in America has often been questioned, in such a situation such a comment made by a presidential candidate could prove to be a big mistake in the election.
What is the real identity of Kamala Harris?
US Vice President Kamala Harris's mother Shyamala Gopalan is of Indian origin, she was a resident of Tamil Nadu. Harris' father, Donald J. Harris was Jamaican. Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland, California. Although her parents separated from each other about 7 years after Kamala's birth, Kamala Harris was raised by her mother. So, Kamala Harris is highly influenced by her mother. In such a situation, his identity is linked to both blackness and Indianness.
Trump may have to pay a heavy price
According to PEW Research, there are about 35 million black American voters in America, which is 14 percent of the total electorate. Whereas, the number of Asian voters is about 1.5 crore, of which the maximum number is about 21 lakh Indian American voters. The issue of racism is very important for black Americans, if we talk about the voting pattern, about 84 percent of black American voters are considered supporters of the Democratic Party, while only 11 percent of black American voters are supporters of the Republican Party.
The population of Indians in America has grown rapidly in the last few years. The Indian American population here is about 44 lakh, which is about 1.5 percent of the total American population. Among the Asian groups present in America, Indian Americans have the largest population. In which there are more than 21 lakh Indian voters. Not only this, Indian American voters participated enthusiastically in the elections in 2020 with 71 percent of Indian Americans casting their votes.
Leaning in favor of the Democratic Party
Joe Biden received about 65 percent of the Indian American vote in the 2020 presidential election. The weak economy and the issue of the Israel-Gaza conflict have seen a decline in recent times, but support for Kamala Harris is expected to increase now that Biden is no longer in the race.
As for the Republican Party, in 2020 Trump received the support of only 28 percent of Indian American voters, which does not show any significant increase now. According to a research, currently only 29 percent of Indian Americans are supporting Trump. This clearly shows that the right candidate can bring Indian Americans back to the Democrats.
Kamala Harris's Indian identity may push such voters to go in her favor. The power of Indian Americans in America can be gauged from the fact that, in Washington alone, Indian Americans constitute only 2 percent of the state's population, but Indian Americans in politics and administration account for more than 4 percent.
The statement will only add to Trump's troubles
If Indian American and Black voters in the US begin to associate themselves with Trump's comments regarding Kamala Harris's racial identity, it is possible that it could be damaging for Trump. However, large populations of both these groups are considered loyal voters of the Democratic Party. But his support seemed to be waning because of Joe Biden. But Trump's attack on Kamala Harris' candidacy and her racial identity could unite both of these voters in favor of the Democratic Party.