Kamala Harris delivered the most significant speech of her political career Thursday night, but one key family member was noticeably absent.
During her acceptance speech for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, Harris barely mentioned her estranged father, Donald Harris, whose absence from the audience sparked discussion about their distant relationship, as the New York Post reports.
Among those present were Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff, his children Cole and Ella, her sister Maya Harris, and Maya's family. Conspicuously missing from the family seating arrangement was her father, who turned 86 the following day. His absence and her limited mention of him during the speech have drawn attention to the strained ties between father and daughter.
Kamala Harris' speech painted a loving picture of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, emphasizing her pivotal role in raising Kamala and her sister, Maya, following the parents’ divorce when Kamala was eight years old. The vice-presidential nominee highlighted that their mother took on most of the responsibilities after the separation, leading to her father's diminished role in her upbringing.
Despite his absence, Donald Harris has made significant contributions in his own right. A retired professor of economics at Stanford University, Donald was a prominent figure in his field, known for his Marxist views. His political leanings, however, have reportedly distanced him from his daughter's political journey.
The rift between Kamala and Donald Harris was further underscored by her omission of any mention of her stepmother, Carol Kirlew, a former World Bank executive. The couple resides in Washington, DC, but whether Donald was invited to the Democratic National Convention or chose to remain absent is unclear.
The estrangement between Kamala Harris and her father is not new. After her parents' split, Kamala and Maya were primarily raised by their mother, with the support of a trusted network of friends, rather than close family members. This narrative has been central to Harris' life story, often sidelining her father’s influence.
Donald Harris, originally from Brown's Town, Jamaica, pursued his education at the University of the West Indies and the University of London, completing his PhD at UC Berkeley. He met Kamala's mother in 1962, married her in 1963, but the marriage ended in 1971. The custody battle that followed was contentious, with Donald expressing dissatisfaction with the court's decisions. Nevertheless, he remained committed to his daughters.
Throughout Kamala's rise in politics, Donald has maintained a low profile, opting to stay out of the public eye. In 2019, he stated his intention to avoid the media and the "political hullabaloo," reflecting his desire to keep his distance from his daughter’s political life.
Despite their personal estrangement, Kamala and Donald Harris share some overlapping views, particularly on economic issues. Donald's academic career and economic theories, often associated with Marxist principles, have influenced Kamala, particularly on topics like wealth distribution and the advancement of people of African descent.
However, their political differences have caused tension, most notably when Donald publicly criticized Kamala in 2019. He was displeased with her comments linking their Jamaican heritage to marijuana use, a statement he found damaging to their family’s reputation.
Donald Harris has continued to make his mark independently of his daughter’s political career. In October 2021, he was honored with Jamaica’s Order of Merit, an acknowledgment of his academic and professional contributions. He expressed being “honored and humbled” by the recognition, a rare public statement from a man who has chosen to stay largely out of the spotlight.
Kamala Harris’ speech at the Democratic National Convention was a historic moment, yet it also highlighted the complexities of her personal life. Her father's absence, both physically and in her narrative, speaks to the strained relationship that has defined much of her public and private persona.
