Is Kamala Harris like Marge Simpson? Internet says it is a compliment because she's the 'Mother of America'
Anyone who has watched ‘The Simpsons’ will be familiar with the satirical and comical adventures of a dysfunctional, working-class family in the fictional city of Springfield. But it seems like the hugely popular cartoon demonstrates an alarming continuity in American politics ahead of 2020 elections. After the news of Kamala Harris being nominated as vice president pick by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden dropped on August 11, the Internet went crazy and started to compare Harris with the Simpson family matriarch Marge.
Physically Marge’s anatomy of a middle-aged wife with crude anatomy and distinctive blue beehive hairstyle might not relate to Harris’s classy, brown-haired and polished personality. But a closer look at Marge's behavior might change our opinion. Marge was created by cartoonist Matt Groening and voiced by Julie Kavner. Marge first appeared on television in ‘The Tracey Ullman Show’ short “Good Night” in April 1987. However, the meteoric rise of Marge’s character came to be when the ‘Simpson Family’ series got their own series on Fox that debuted in 1989. Marge's character resembles a supermom who manages everything seamlessly and is a doting mother to three children. Besides her, the series includes her husband Homer, an oafish unhealthy bear loving father and their 3 kids, Bart who is a 10-year-old proud underachiever, Lisa who is an unappreciated 8-year-old along with Maggie, their baby girl.
In the series, Marge is depicted as a moralistic force in the family who provides a discerning voice to the many matters surfacing in the Simpson household. She has the strength to keep up with the antics of her kids and husband though she sometimes feels overburdened with stress and whenever she opts for a break, her absence is met with restlessness and chaos in the family. As a mother she is overbearing, nurturing and understanding towards her kids and defends them on many occasions. She is also equally good in maintaining a social circle with her extended family that include her sisters and mother who often criticize Homer. Marge is shown as accepting constructive criticism but also gives befitting replies whenever someone speaks ill of her family. It is this strikingly moralistic, strong, dotting and wonder mom kind of aura that the Internet seems to have recognized in Harris as well.
Harris too is a powerful, resilient and loving personality. She claims herself to be the daughter of a mother who broke down all kinds of barriers. In personal life, Harris has a loving husband in lawyer Douglas C Emhoff who has never wasted an opportunity to heap praise on his wife’s accomplishments. He has been one of her biggest supporters throughout where their social media posts only prove what a great couple they make together. Professionally, Harris who was a county prosecutor, district attorney and state attorney general, has a history of being "tough on crime" which she is now trying to change by indulging in a more "progressive prosecutor" like role. She is fearless and principled which is evident from her interrogation of Trump's nominees during Senate hearings which include former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
The Internet believes that Marge is essentially the “mother” of America and has an unbreakable spirit and have drawn comparisons between the fictional character and Harris. “Marge, thankfully, has an unbreakable level spirit since she has to shoulder her husband, children, and even the general insanity of every day life in Springfield. Given how Homer is, that's no small feat at that,” one wrote.
Marge, thankfully, has aan unbreakable level spirit since she has to shoulder her husband, children, and even the general insanity of every day life in Springfield. Given how Homer is, that's no small feat at that.
— Rope of Sand (@rope_sand) August 12, 2020
“After hearing that someone tried to besmirch Marge Simpson... that lovely cartoon woman is a saint. She’s essentially the “mother” of America,” wrote another one praising Simpson.
After hearing that someone tried to besmirch Marge Simpson... that lovely cartoon woman is a saint. She’s essentially the “mother” of America. pic.twitter.com/BL2Mc4dydT
— teatime75 (@teatime75) August 12, 2020
Others do not find the comparison unhealthy or ill in any way and are complimenting Harris too. “People who know Marge Simpson know she’s level-headed, loyal, resilient, and hard-working, the heart of her family. You thought that was an insult.”
People who know Marge Simpson know she’s level-headed, loyal, resilient, and hard-working, the heart of her family.
— (((LG7))) (@Lechatbon) August 13, 2020
You thought that was an insult.
“Go ahead. Comparing Kamala Harris to Marge Simpson is actually a compliment because she’s one of the best TV moms ever. #momala
Case in point:”
Go ahead. Comparing Kamala Harris to Marge Simpson is actually a compliment because she’s one of the best TV moms ever. #momala
— jonah jill (@jonah_jill) August 12, 2020
Case in point: pic.twitter.com/6mVtjSuv0N
Others like legal advisors at the Trump campaign, Jenna Ellis might have said the same in a different way. “Kamala sounds like Marge Simpson.”
Some feel that it is futile to compare a cartoon character to real-life politics and find it tiring. “I’m tired of politics. It’s exhausting. I tapped on the trending topic too, thinking it’s actually about the show.”
I’m tired of politics. It’s exhausting. I tapped on the trending topic too, thinking it’s actually about the show.
— BRØBEΛNS (@KaizerAllen) August 12, 2020
With such comparisons, who knows what Harris be like when she will hold the office.