News Brief
"It's Kamala": US Vice President's Grand Nieces Explain To Americans How To Pronounce Her Name
Kamala Harris' grand-nieces Amara and Leela
Hollywood Actress Kerry Washington took to the stage on Thursday (22 August) at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to clarify the correct pronunciation of Vice President Kamala Harris’ name with the help of Harris’ grand-nieces.
Addressing the common mispronunciations of Kamala Harris’ name, Washington remarked, “Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not. So tonight, we are going to help everyone get it right.”
Amara and Leela, Kamala Harris’ great-nieces, then joined Washington on stage.
Amara began by breaking down the pronunciation, “First you say ‘Kama,’ like a comma in a sentence".
Leela, the younger sister, joined in, saying, “Then you say ‘La,’ like ‘la-la-la-la-la,’” repeating the sound melodically.
“Put it together,” Washington said, “And it’s Kamala!”
She spoke of her mother, grandmother, and aunt, noting how they taught her the value of service, especially her auntie Kamala who balanced fighting for justice with cooking Sunday dinner.
This comes as Former President Trump has often mispronounced Harris’ name, even stating at a rally in July, “I couldn’t care less if I mispronounce it. I couldn’t care less.”
Kamala Harris on Thursday (22 August) formally accepted the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential nomination to fight against her Republican rival Donald Trump.
Harris, who is of Indian heritage, secured the Democratic nomination following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race last month. If successful, she will make history as the first woman to be elected US president.
