The real story behind the Kamala Harris 'Wave meme' is utterly heartbreaking

The true story behind the meme of Kamala Harris waving has been revealed, and it's heartbreaking.

In a series of text messages exchanged with Buzzfeed reporter Ben Smith, Harris explained the true story behind the photograph of her waving, which quickly became a meme.

In the meme, Harris can be seen raising her right hand as she waves at an apparent gathered crowd. However, the motivation for the wave is far from positive, and it was actually inspired by a heartbreaking moment.

In a text message, Smith asked Harris:

Can you give some context on what you were thinking and feeling in that moment?

In response, Harris said:

It's been sort of strange to see it become a meme because of how heartbreaking that actual moment was. 

I was standing on a ladder outside the Homestead juvenile immigrant detention centre outside Miami, looking over the fence, and I saw children lined up like prisoners. 

They had been separated from their families and put in this private detention facility. It was horrible. 

I was there with other members of senate and congress, and we were actually denied access to the facility. 

I sit on the Homeland Security committee, and they wouldn't let me see this facility where children were being detained. 

There were parents outside the fence with me who were crying because they can't get to their children who were inside. 

It was awful and I was just heartbroken to see it all. 

What this administration is doing is a human rights abuse. 

Smith then responded:

Thanks for taking the time, Senator.

Alongside other Democratic presidential candidates, Harris had spent the last few days campaigning at the Iowa State fair. At the time of her interview with Buzzfeed, Harris was on the move, heading to a roundtable near Burlington, Iowa.

AHT Buzzfeed

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