Media

Progressives cite racism, sexism in Harris exit: Women of color ‘get twice the scrutiny’

by Joe Concha - 12/03/19 4:52 PM ET

Sen. Kamala Harris’s (D-Calif.) abrupt exit from the 2020 presidential race prompted cries of racism on social media, with several verified Twitter members noting that only white candidates will be on stage for the next Democratic debate later this month.

The outcry comes after the California lawmaker suspended her campaign on Tuesday.

Once considered a top contender for the Democratic bid, Harris had dropped to 3.4 percent in the RealClearPolitics index of polls after holding a second-place spot in July with 16.2 percent after the first Democratic debate.

“I’ve taken stock and looked at this from every angle, and over the last few days have come to one of the hardest decisions of my life. My campaign for president simply doesn’t have the financial resources we need to continue,” Harris wrote to her 3.3 million followers on Twitter. “I’m not a billionaire. I can’t fund my own campaign. And as the campaign has gone on, it’s become harder and harder to raise the money we need to compete.”

Some reaction on the news of Harris dropping out has largely centered on race and gender.

Kamala Harris dropping out of the race while only white candidates qualify for the next presidential debate shows that white privilege and white supremacy cut across party lines. It’s not just Trump. We have a racism problem in all of the United States of America, and it sucks.

— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) December 3, 2019

Kamala Harris was the only black woman running – her presence on the debate stage led to frank conversations abt race at a nat’l level. With her out, so far no other candidates of color will be on the debate stage in Dec. in LA, a MAJORITY-MINORITY city.https://t.co/HOVFWjafyO

— Melissa Gomez (@MelissaGomez004) December 3, 2019

I feel for Kamala. Female in politics ain’t easy – double it if you’re a woman of color. White men rule and win.

— Elmira Bayrasli (@endeavoringE) December 3, 2019

Kamala Harris didn’t even make it to Iowa, and frankly it’s an indictment of this country the candidates of color in a supposedly pluralistic Democratic Party can’t even gain front runner traction. I’m disgusted by this country’s willingness to hold on so tight to its demons.

— (@exavierpope) December 3, 2019

Kamala dropped out. She wasn’t my candidate, but having women run and especially a woman of color run, was and is important. I wish Biden and other white men would drop out instead. That is all.

— Pris Blossom (@PrisBlossom) December 3, 2019

Kamala Harris’ withdrawal underlines—
Candidates of color, especially women, get twice the scrutiny, have to scramble for fundraising, & don’t have the networks of wealthy, white donors who launch & maintain a campaign https://t.co/dd5QruC2AR

— Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) December 3, 2019

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro blamed media coverage of the Harris campaign, alleging a “double standard.”

“The way the media has treated @KamalaHarris has been something else. The way they’ve held her to a different standard, a double standard has been grossly unfair and unfortunate,” Castro said Tuesday.

Sec. @JulianCastro responds to @KamalaHarris’s treatment by media:

“The way the media has treated @KamalaHarris has been something else. The way they’ve held her to a different standard, a double standard has been grossly unfair and unfortunate.” #KHive pic.twitter.com/TIpowCAQLI

— Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) December 3, 2019