When it comes to the realities of race in America, things get more twisted than a pretzel on sale at a county fair. Recently, the pop superstar Janet Jackson found herself in hot water after mentioning that Vice President Kamala Harris isn’t really “black.” This may sound like the opening act of an increasingly bizarre political circus, but make no mistake – this is the main event. Because when it comes to leveraging identity politics, folks, that’s as American as apple pie (and hot dogs, if we’re being honest).
Now, before you grab your pitchforks, let’s unpack this. Jackson—who isn’t exactly your average backyard philosopher—dared to suggest that Harris’s heritage might not fit neatly into the “black or white” box that many are desperate to shove her into. Instead, Jackson labeled Harris “Afro-Indian,” leading to all sorts of people throwing their popcorn in the air, acting as if this was somehow a plot twist everyone should have seen coming. Because in the world of politics, identity isn’t just about who someone is; it’s about who they can convince you they are to get your vote.
But here’s the kicker: Janet’s comments have stirred up a ruckus not merely because they seemed, shall we say, “unfiltered,” but also because they invoke that devil of a concept known as “identity politics.” It’s like a high-stakes game show where the prize is your vote, and the gimmick is: All you need is a drop of something special to secure that golden ticket. Never mind that Harris identifies as black; some folks are out here claiming that all you need is a familial connection back to the motherland—or a head of wild hair—to score entry into that exclusive club. And if you mix that with just a pinch of Indian history, well, congratulations! You’ve got what some might call a political smoothie.
Of course, all of this talk led to Jackson’s publicist dropping the ball with an apology that seemed to glide onto the scene as awkwardly as a kid learning to skateboard. That publicist was promptly fired—because who needs a shield when you’ve got a superstar who can hold her own in the arena of public opinion? But what does this drama teach us? It’s about as clear as mud!
The truth is, political allegiances often walk hand in hand with identity. The Democrats have been hustling hard in their game of inclusion, but when it comes to defining who gets to claim ‘blackness’ in America, it appears the rule book is changing faster than a political debate response. If Harris’s identity offers her leverage in the electoral battlefield, then her background is up for interpretation and debate, just like a contestant’s biography on a reality show. Meanwhile, commentators struggle to piece together the puzzle that is Harris’s identity, almost as if they’re trying to assemble IKEA furniture with a blindfold on.
In the end, it’s clear that “who’s black?” may just be a clever ruse in the ongoing struggle for power—and just like every good soap opera, there’s plenty of drama for everyone to weigh in on. While folks like Jackson might throw shade on the notion of Harris’s blackness, others furiously defend her place in the narrative. Because at the end of the day, everyone’s got something to gain or lose in this wild political contest that’s more unpredictable than a cat at a dog show. Buckle up; we’re in for a wild ride!
