Totally Normal
Like Vice President Harris, I am a Black woman. Like her, I am a first generation American with a father from the Caribbean. Like her, I am multiracial. And have Christian and Jewish relatives. And have Asian ancestry. And am a Californian. I am thrilled for Harris to be VP because she’s a woman of color. But more importantly, I am ecstatic for Harris to be VP, because she’s a badass negotiator who will get things done.
My girls woke up just in time to snuggle with me on the couch, watch Lady Gaga own the national anthem, Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman remind us about America’s trauma and promise, and witness Biden and Harris take their oaths of office. While my tears flowed and the moment felt surreal, my five-year-old asked me if Elsa from Frozen is real. I was brought back down to earth, to my living room, to my two little girls. Yep, this is totally normal. Nothing extraordinary. Just another day in which a Black, South Asian woman starts to rule the world.
Yes, honey, Elsa is real. Women who lead their countries and save them from evil traitors are real.
I so wish my mom were alive today snuggling with us on the couch.
Marissa Gee is a freelance writer, lawyer, running coach and personal trainer living in Los Angeles with her family.