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Kamala Harris slammed for backing minority-owned businesses, months after seeking funds to bail jailed protesters

Harris tweeted: 'Small businesses, especially Black and minority-owned businesses, urgently need relief to survive the effects of coronavirus this winter'

Vice-president-elect Kamala Harris has faced flak after tweeting in support of small businesses that have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic that has affected more than 13.5 million people and killed nearly 268,000. She did it months after seeking donations to bail out jailed protesters who put stores on fire on fire.

On Saturday, November 29, Harris tweeted: “Small businesses, especially Black and minority-owned businesses, urgently need relief to survive the effects of coronavirus this winter.” “@JoeBiden and I are committed to helping these businesses during this pandemic and get them the support they need to thrive in years to come,” she added.

But the well-intentioned tweet soon found itself at odds with one which Harris, a woman of color, posted earlier in 2020 where she sought donations for the protesters’ bail payment even though several thousands of them inflicting damages on small businesses in the rioting that followed the brutal death of George Floyd at the hands of a cop in Minneapolis on May 25.

In her controversial tweet posted on June 1, the 56-year-old, who represented California as a senator since 2017, said along with a link for donating to Minnesota Freedom Fund: “If you're able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota.” She condemned the riots later but only to get ripped for her flip flops.

In Minnesota alone, more than 360 businesses in the Twin Cities were terribly vandalized and looted. Some of them were turned into rubble and at least 66 were gutted, according to a report in the Minnesota Star Tribune. Even though the protests began against racist injustice and police brutality, they soon turned into a massive law and order problem, prompting President Donald Trump citing an old controversial saying: “When looting starts, shooting starts.” The president was heavily criticized for his words.

Harris, who will take office as the country’s first woman vice-president on January 20, was on a visit to small businesses in Washington DC last weekend in observance of Small Business Saturday. During her trip in which she was accompanied by her husband Dough Emhoff and DC’s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, the VP elect emphasized on helping small businesses in the difficult times, saying they are “an essential part of the lifeblood of a community”.

Bowser later tweeted a photo of the VP elect and her husband to thank their support for the small businesses.

Harris faces criticism for her words

Harris’s latest tweet led to a barrage of criticism from the Twitterati with some accusing her of being biased towards the community of color. “Can you just help Americans without color coding everything?” asked on Twitter user.

“This is a disappointing statement. ALL small businesses not "especially black or minority" need help. If we want our citizens to be equal, you need to stop dividing us, please,” said another.

Rob Wood, another user, slammed Harris saying: “Soooo last summer (July) you Tweeted to support the rioters and bail them out in Minnesota and now your supporting the small businesses they destroyed.  Pick a side !  Or maybe your still supporting rioters in Minnesota and small business everywhere else.”

Another said: “All small businesses are suffering. Not just black & minority. A small business is just that doesn't matter. I'm a supporter but that's very biased to say in this pandemic.”