Indian Americans are celebrating the historic win of Kamala Harris as the first female, first Black and first vice president of South Asian descent after major news outlets called the winners on Saturday.
thinking about Shyamala and all the Indian moms out there feeling the emotions my mom is feeling right now; to vote for, and elect, someone who was raised around the same food, the same discipline, the same culture. pic.twitter.com/g7wp0D3Qs1
Thrilled for this early Deepavali present (festival is next weeknd). Throwback to the Deepavali party hosted by @JoeBiden@DrBiden at their home 4 years ago now. Excited to finally have a woman of color – of Black and South-Asian heritage – as Veep – many congrats @KamalaHarrispic.twitter.com/fNJQfADLL0
Nothing but respect for my President (-Elect), Joseph R. Biden. Proud of America for choosing hope and decency and integrity. pic.twitter.com/nT0V6PP7rv
Kamala is by no means perfect. But I did not grow up in a country where it ever seemed possible to be a women of color and a Vice President much less a Black and Indian woman VP. It is hard to put into words what it means to know that the future generations of my family will.
Meanwhile, people from Harris’ ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in the town of Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu in India also celebrated her win out on the streets by dancing, cheering and lighting firecrackers.
Thousands of miles away from Washington DC, the Indian village where Kamala Harris’ maternal grandfather was born is celebrating the new US vice-president-elect #Election2020pic.twitter.com/vi6UwPZx8K
Illinois Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi described Harris’ win as “a transformative, meaningful moment for our country” in a statement via National Public Radio.
“As an Indian American, I’m very grateful that my children will see Kamala Harris, along with Joe Biden, as a role model when she enters office,” Krishnamoorthi, who was born in India, said. “I know she’ll work to further progress the United States has made in representation and equality, and countless people will be inspired by her example.”
The U.S.-India Business Council and U.S. India Political Action Committee also congratulated Harris and Biden for winning the election on Sunday.
Before the election, 65% of Indian Americans chose to vote for Biden, while 28% said they would vote for Trump in the election, according to a survey conducted by AAPI Data.
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