The Conversation (0)
Joanna Taylor
Oct 19, 2020
Bryan Bedder / Scott Olson / Getty Images
People are sharing the meaning behind their names in solidarity with Kamala Harris after a Republican senator referred to her as a "Kamala-mala-mala".
David Perdue, who is running for re-election in Georgia, mocked the vice president nominee's name at a Trump rally in the state. His Democrat opponent, Jon Ossoff, shared a video of the incident, commenting "we are so much better than this".
My opponent, GOP Sen. David Perdue of anti-Semitic attack ad infamy, just mocked Sen. Harris' name as "Kamala-mala-… https://t.co/v39sXpRCZ1— Jon Ossoff (@Jon Ossoff) 1602887328
He also referred to an antisemitic ad Perdue's campaign team published on Facebook in which Ossoff's nose was digitally enlarged. (Perdue pulled the ad and blamed an "outside vendor" for the "unintentional error" after it sparked a backlash.)
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Ossoff raised $2m after his tweet went viral.
He also inspired people of colour to share what their name means in solidarity with Harris.
#MyNameIs Daniel Dae Hyun Kim, or in Korean, 김대현. It means “great and powerful one.” My name is not “Macaca” or “Ku… https://t.co/s8tDiBHMbY— Daniel Dae Kim (@Daniel Dae Kim) 1602983663
#MyNameIs Michelle Wing Kwan & in Chinese pinyin it's pronounced Guan Ying Shan. It means beautiful, strong and sma… https://t.co/VSFo0RzzOj— Michelle Kwan (@Michelle Kwan) 1602969206
My great grandmother’s name was Kamala. Not “Kamala-mala-mala, I don’t know, whatever.” #MyNameIs Gautam. It means… https://t.co/JWGkRRSpmT— Gautam Raghavan (@Gautam Raghavan) 1602952672
Celebrities and Democrat politicians from all backgrounds joined in with the trend.
#MyNameIs Ilham, I prefer Ilhan. I never liked the M sound 😜. It means “Inspiration” in Arabic. My father named me… https://t.co/5rUJoaONP9— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1602975329
.#MyNameIs Lea Thompson. It's pronounced LEE Ah. My mom spelled it that way because my dad was stationed in Pearl H… https://t.co/31vEVP09E8— Lea Thompson (@Lea Thompson) 1603000298
#MyNameIs Meenakshi. I'm named after the Hindu goddess, as well as my great great grandmother. I come from a long l… https://t.co/2wCQmrboKv— Meena Harris (@Meena Harris) 1602957223
Perdue, meanwhile, was widely condemned for his racist jibe.
disgusting racist appeal from David Perdue https://t.co/deYRKoYK6i— John Harwood (@John Harwood) 1602890832
David Perdue has served with Kamala Harris in the Senate for four years. He knows how to properly pronounce her nam… https://t.co/kc4Xp6D1BF— Philip Rucker (@Philip Rucker) 1602891090
His offensive comment, made while introducing the president, completely backfired, resulting in a boost for Democrat funding and support.
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