WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday that former President Donald Trump’s were the 鈥渟ame old show” as she emphasized the need for Black women to organize for his defeat this November.
Addressing the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. 鈥� one of “Divine Nine” historically Black fraternities and sororities 鈥� in Houston, Harris told the crowd, “When I look out at everyone here, I see family.鈥�
She drew knowing chuckles from the audience as she mentioned Trump鈥檚 comments earlier in the day at the annual meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists. Trump said Harris, , had in the past promoted only her Indian heritage.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I don鈥檛 know, is she Indian or is she Black?鈥� Trump said while .
Harris responded briefly during her address to the sorority, saying Trump’s display was “the same old show: the divisiveness and the disrespect.鈥�
She added: 鈥淎nd let me just say, the American people deserve better. The American people deserve better.鈥�
鈥淥ur differences do not divide us, they are an essential source of our strength,鈥� Harris said.
Referencing the combative tone of Trump’s interview at the NABJ convention, she said, 鈥淭he American people deserve a leader who tells the truth, a leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts.鈥�
Harris is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, both immigrants to the U.S. As an undergraduate, Harris attended Howard University, one of the nation鈥檚 most prominent historically Black colleges and universities, where she also pledged the historically Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. As a U.S. senator, Harris was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Speaking to Sigma Gamma Rho members, Harris said, 鈥淥ur nation is counting on you” to register people to vote and ensure they go to the polls. 鈥淲hen we organize, mountains move,” she said.
Black Greek life is often seen as a lifelong involvement, leading many members to return to regular gatherings 鈥� or 鈥渂oul茅s鈥� in the organizations鈥� phrasing 鈥� that gather tens of thousands of members each. Harris has attended three such events in the last month, including the boul茅 for her own sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
The Divine Nine organizations, which are officially apolitical, emphasize public service as a mission and have deep networks in politics, business and media.
June Penny, 66, of Georgia, an attendee at Harris’ speech in Houston, said Trump鈥檚 comments about Harris鈥� race reminded her of how he tried to discredit then-President Barack Obama.
鈥淚鈥檓 not surprised he would try to find something like that,鈥� Penny said.
She said Trump鈥檚 views don鈥檛 reflect the reality of race in the country, noting, 鈥淚 have biracial grandchildren鈥� — her son-in-law is white — 鈥渁nd the world views them as black.鈥�
More than 30 members of Congress are affiliated with a Black Greek letter organization. Close advisers to President Joe Biden, including Stephen Benjamin, Cedric Richmond and Keisha Lance Bottoms, are members of Divine Nine organizations. Harris has welcomed such connections to staff her operation and build her own network in Washington.
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Associated Press writer Matt Brown in Chicago contributed.
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