Kamala Harris's trip to Africa, at turns eliciting deep reflection from the historic US vice president, offered a chance for her to reconnect with Black Americans whose support is crucial for her and President Joe Biden's looming reelection bid.
At the Cape Coast Castle, a former slave-trading post in Ghana, Harris delivered an emotional address about the painful history of slavery and her own ties to Africa. As she toured the site, she was seen wiping away tears and shaking her head.
Harris' weeklong tour to three countries carried geopolitical aims, as the US looks to bolster African relations and counter Chinese influence.
But just as important is the political and cultural impact of the tour by the first Black and woman vice president, one which was loaded with references and imagery intended to send a strong signal to Black voters at home and the broader African diaspora.
Harris spoke at sites of symbolic importance such as Black Star Square, which commemorates Ghana's independence, and referenced iconic civil-rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis. In Accra, Ghana, Harris stood for a photo in front of a yellow wall decorated with the names of prominent Black creators, including the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh and musician Kendrick Lamar.
"It's so meaningful for a number of reasons, not the least of which is, as she said, it represents the journey of Black Americans," said Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist and former Hillary Clinton aide.
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