Nigel Farage’s recent comments on Kamala Harris’s heritage have ignited a fierce backlash, with accusations of racism and controversy swirling around his remarks. Here’s the full story.
Persistent Racism Accusations
Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, a staunch ally of former President and convicted felon Donald Trump and, ostensibly, the MP for Clacton, though he has spent more time talking about American than UK politics recently, has sparked controversy and accusations of racism following his comments about Vice President Kamala Harris.
Biden Backs Harris
Kamala Harris, who received President Biden’s full backing shortly after his shock announcement that he would not be seeking reelection, has now been catapulted into the limelight, with Democrats lining up behind her candidacy.
Unifying Figure
Many see her as a unifying figure capable of continuing the administration’s policies and addressing the nation’s critical issues. Harris’s campaign has quickly secured endorsements from most delegates, positioning her as a strong contender for the Democratic nomination.
Farage Comments
In an interview with LBC following Biden’s endorsement of Harris, Farage stated, “I have to say, I think Donald Trump will be delighted that she is the opponent, because I cannot see – there is a possibility that at their convention in a few weeks’ time, there is a big fight and somebody comes through – but I cannot see the Democrat Party getting rid of a Black African woman, I just cannot see it.”
Immediate Outcry
Farage’s comments were met with an immediate outcry as, as is often the way with racist statements, Farage managed to get Harris’s heritage wrong.
Diverse Heritage
Kamala Harris, the first woman, Black American and South Asian American to serve as Vice President of the United States, has a diverse heritage. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was of Tamil Indian origin, and her father, Donald J. Harris, is Jamaican American. Neither India nor Jamaica are located on the African continent.
Born in Oakland
Similarly, Harris is not African. She was born in Oakland, California and is, therefore, an American, despite what some online conspiracy theories, similar to the “birther” lies spread about former President Barack Obama, would have people believe.
Political Career
Harris’s political career has included serving as a US Senator from California and as California’s Attorney General before she became Vice President.
Divisive Figure
Farage, who has long been a divisive figure in British politics, also criticised Harris for the issue on which he has staked his entire political career: illegal migration.
Border Criticism
Farage stated, “She, as vice-president, was put in charge of the border. She didn’t even bother to visit for a couple of years.”
Failed Campaigns
He added, “She had a go herself at running for the presidential nomination, she dropped out herself, before the New Hampshire primary, which is very early in the process.”
Throwing Stones
Farage would do well to remember not to throw stones in glass houses. He himself only recently got elected to Parliament on his eighth attempt, with the previous seven attempts having ended in dismal failure.
Celebrity Support
Despite Farage’s comments, in the wake of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 race and endorse Harris, numerous celebrities with considerable public profiles and far greater reach than the Reform UK leader have voiced their support for her candidacy.
Actors and Musicians Back Harris
Notable actors like George Takei, Mark Hamill, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Mark Ruffalo have publicly backed Harris and urged others to do the same. Similarly, musicians from diverse genres, including Cardi B, Charlie XCX, and Barbra Streisand, have encouraged their followers to vote for Harris in the upcoming election.
Previous Outcry
This is not the first time Farage’s comments over the US election have caused an outcry. Following the attempted assassination of Trump, Farage, speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, stated, “The narrative that is put out there about Trump by these liberals that oppose him is so nasty, so unpleasant, and I think it almost encourages this type of behaviour.”
Media Bias Accusations
Despite Farage blaming the media for being “very one-sided,” Farage’s frequent appearances in the media have recently come under scrutiny. Critics argue that platforms like the BBC give him undue visibility, especially given his controversial statements and past threats of violence.
Research on Bias
According to Cardiff University researchers, the BBC disproportionately platformed right-wing media personalities, such as Farage, on Question Time over the past decade. The researchers analysed 352 programmes and found a right-wing bias among media guests despite balanced representation from the main political parties.
Igniting Criticism
Nigel Farage’s remarks about Kamala Harris have ignited a firestorm of criticism. Without much prior knowledge, he waded into the complexities of race and identity in US politics, and the backlash has been significant.
UK Attitudes Uncertain
While Farage’s comments have been widely condemned as racist and inaccurate, it remains to be seen if his comments will affect UK attitudes towards the presumptive Democratic nominee as the political battle lines are drawn for the 2024 US election.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Aidan Calderbank.
Grant Gallacher is a seasoned writer with expertise in politics and impactful daily news. His work, deeply rooted in addressing issues that resonate with a wide audience, showcases an unwavering commitment to bringing forth the stories that matter. He is also known for satirical writing and stand up comedy.