Kamala's mom

by liberal japonicus

Folks who have been here awhile might now that I've written a few times about my parents, and how people are formed by their parents is something that I take a great interest in. Here's probably the post that is closest to this (with some links to other things I wrote in the post). So I find this deep dive article about Kamala's mom. Just a few pull grafs.

She arrived in the United States at the very vanguard of a profound shift — a shift, ongoing and unabated, that stokes many of the most contentious debates within this bitter political time. She is, yes, an avatar of a widely relatable struggle to make ends meet, but she also was much more than some minimal symbol. By making the choices she made, by raising her daughters the ways she did, she changed the country. It might sound like a stretch. She was, admittedly, just one woman. If, though, Kamala Harris is a sort of quintessential 21st-century American — multiracial, multiethnic, the next-generation progeny of a pioneer of an immigrant — it’s also not totally wrong. Shyamala Gopalan helped shape the mindset and makeup of modern America.

and

And yet last week in a speech her campaign billed as an immigration speech, in Douglas, Arizona, southeast of Tucson and down by the border with Mexico, she said “there are consequential issues at stake in this election, and one is the security of our border.” She said there are “rules.” She said as attorney general of California she “prosecuted transnational criminal organizations.” She said she “brought a bipartisan group of American attorneys general and led that group to travel to Mexico City to meet with Mexican attorneys general to address this issue.” She said immigrants “who cross our borders unlawfully will be apprehended and removed and barred from reentering for five years.” She also said we “need clear, legal pathways for people seeking to coming into our country.” She said we are “a nation of immigrants.” And the woman about whom some not small portion of the population say they still need to know more said “the United States has been enriched by generations of people who have come from every corner of the world to contribute to our country and to become part of the American story.”

She did not mention her mother.

Some might take this as a fundamental urge to deceive. If she doesn't mention her mother, the question might go, was she really that important? Yet for me, I can understand that this is what she has to do. And I also understand why this is why I would never be a politician. As the article notes earlier

But short of the color of her skin and the country from which she came, I said the other day on the phone with Madrid, Shyamala Gopalan is precisely what those even way to the right on the spectrum of the most stringent immigration debate point to as the model. She was one of a small number of people coming in — low and slow. She was high-achieving. She started a family. She endeavored to assimilate. She contributed to this country — didn’t just “take” from it. “She,” I said to Madrid, “is what they say they want.”

“That’s easy to say when you’re 90-percent white. When you’re not, do we still say that? Well, no — half of us are saying, ‘Fuck no.’ It’s the primary political glue that’s holding one of our political parties together,” he said.

“My mother … came and changed America?” said Madrid. “That ain’t gonna play in Erie County.” (links from the article)

What precisely will play in Erie county is the question...

Comments

[Michael Cain]

I remember Harris being asked about favorite food some years back and she said she always looked forward to her mom's Thanksgiving enchiladas. I thought at the time "A Tamil mom making Thanksgiving enchiladas plays pretty well anywhere in the West. The rest of the country, maybe not so much."

Of course, I'm in the group that thinks the most important reason to have turkey at Thanksgiving is to make enchiladas with the leftovers.

[Cheez Whiz]

What Harris is saying is supposed to play in Erie County. It has the virtue of her believing what she says, though the phrase "secure borders" has vastly different meanings for the 2 parties. I'd be willing to bet you couldn't field a basball team with every government employee who believes in "open borders" in the literal definition Republicans use. The corruptiin of language is part of the plan.

[Snarki, child of Loki]

Michael: I always go with turkey burritos, but that's just because they're less work.

I read that the turkey consumed in the US is actually native to Mexico, because "NORTH american turkey" is much skinnier; certainly wild turkeys are skinnier.

So turkey enchiladas and burritos is perfectly consistent.

[JanieM]

When my kids were in college, they often brought friends home for holidays, especially Thanksgiving. One year we had nine college students from three continents and all corners of the US, and several of them made their favorite ethnic dishes on top of the "traditional" T-day fare of my and my ex's families.

One of young people, a freshman from Texas whom no one knew very well but who had finagled his way into an invitation somehow, didn't make any food but talked about how much he was missing his grandma's tamales.

After dinner they had a big friendly argument about what the American South really consisted of. (I think this was related to an argument about where the best and "realest" barbecued ribs were made. ;-) )

[nous]

Snarki - A good middle ground would be Santa Fé style enchiladas, with the tortillas layered in with the filling like it's a lasagna. Save's a ton of time and doesn't unroll.

Combine with a New Mexico apple pie for dessert - cheese in crust, hatch chili in the filling, piñon nuts in the streusel.

I don't trust anyone who would be scared off from Harris due to her food choices. Life is just better with enchiladas and curry.

[liberal japonicus]

What Harris is saying is supposed to play in Erie County.

It is supposed to, but one wonders what actually plays there. I hope we aren't here in December discussing what actually would have played there.

The side question about food choices and what they mean is really interesting. I remember when Kerry was dinged for not asking for the 'correct' cheese on a cheese steak

https://www.vice.com/en/article/tbt-how-a-philly-cheesesteak-destroyed-america/

Of course, Walz is using a similar tactic,

https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/tim-walzs-runza-moment-compared-to-jd-vances-donut-shop-visit-choice-is-clear-article-112752148

Any other examples of election related food issues?

[JanieM]

Any other examples of election related food issues?

Has its own wiki:

The phrase "taco trucks on every corner" was used by American activist Marco Gutierrez, the co-founder of Latinos for Trump, on September 1, 2016 which received widespread attention during that year's presidential election. During an interview with MSNBC, Gutierrez referred to emigration from Mexico, stating that "My culture is a very dominant culture, and it's imposing and it's causing problems. If you don't do something about it, you're going to have taco trucks on every corner."

[CharlesWT]

Any other examples of election related food issues?

Since you asked...

"Throughout U.S. history, food has played an interesting role in several presidential and vice-presidential campaigns. Sometimes food became a symbol of a candidate’s personality, while at other times it was used to highlight perceived disconnects between a candidate and the public. Here are some notable instances:"
Food Issues

[wj]

She did not mention her mother.

Some might take this as a fundamental urge to deceive. If she doesn't mention her mother, the question might go, was she really that important?

A "fundamental urge to deceive" isn't really compatible with the fact that she has talked about her mother repeatedly. No reason she has to repeat that in every speech. And since her mother came here legally (as did her father), she isn't particularly relevant to a discussion of repercussions for those who come illegally.

[Snarki, child of Loki]

The business of Kerry's choice of cheese on a cheesesteak made NO SENSE. Provolone/swiss/american/Wiz: all good.

The main problem was going to Pats/Ginos: according to a long-time Philly native friend, you need to go to a lunch truck. Run buy an old guy that looks like he has several communicable diseases. THAT'S where you get the best, and authentic, Philly cheesesteaks.

It's true. I've tested it.