In a speech commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, US vice president Kamala Harris urged the nation to reflect on its historical truths, particularly the devastation wrought by European explorers. Harris highlighted the need to confront the uncomfortable aspects of America’s past, saying, “European explorers ushered in a wave of devastation, violence, stealing land, and widespread disease.”
As part of the annual October observance, which began in 1934 to recognise the voyage of Europeans to America, Harris pointed out that this narrative is far from complete.She emphasised the impact of colonisation on native communities, saying, “We must not shy away from this shameful past, and we must shed light on it and do everything we can to address the impact of the past on native communities today.”
Harris’ remarks, intended to reshape the national narrative around Columbus Day, sparked reactions from senator JD Vance, a prominent Republican, who took to X to criticise the Vice President’s comments and the Democratic Party‘s approach to voters.
“20 percent of Latinos and 26 percent of Black voters rate the economy good or excellent, but the Democrats go around hectoring them that anyone who doesn’t vote for Kamala is a sexist,” Vance posted on X. He went on to assert that former President Donald Trump is gaining traction because “he’s listening to voters instead of lecturing them.”
The Trump campaign further criticised Harris for supporting efforts to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, accusing her of wanting to “cancel American traditions”, as per the New York Post. Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that Harris aims to erase the nation’s history, contrasting it with Donald Trump’s pledge to honour Christopher Columbus’ legacy. The criticism stems from Harris’ 2019 comments in New Hampshire, where she expressed support for renaming the holiday and emphasised the need for honesty about the country’s history, including its treatment of slavery and Indigenous communities.
