MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Kamala Harris's niece Meena called 'racist' for saying US founded by 'white supremacists'

An Internet troll called Meena Harris 'a racist swamp creature' after WaPo published her article on how parents could teach 'anti-racism' at home

After previously defending teaching critical race theory in schools, Vice President Kamala Harris's author niece Meena has is offering advice to parents for teaching "anti-racism" to their kids at home. In an opinion piece published by the Washington Post, Meena Harris accused Republican state legislatures of prohibiting educators from "discussing racism, equity and justice in classrooms". She further alleged that Democrat-controlled states too have schools that don't have "explicit plans to discuss anti-racism with an audience ready (and eager!) to learn about it."

Harris wrote America was stolen from Indigenous people and founded by "white supremacists". She wrote children need to be taught about all this and more as well as the fact that racism continues to shape American society to this day. She provided book recommendations saying parents should introduce these to their kids. She also recommended the original 'The 1619 Project' for parents saying it would help them unlearn their own set biases. Harris's op-ed has garnered harsh reactions from people on social media where she's being called a "racist" amongst other things. 

READ MORE 

Who is Meena Harris? Kamala Harris' niece slams 'little insecure men' who trolled Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff

Kamala Harris's niece Meena mocked for asking LGBTQ community to support Palestine, where homosexuality is illegal

White kids should be anti-racist allies outside and inside the classroom

"It's time all American families start taking time at home to discuss the injustices that shaped our nation's past, the work still to be done in our present, and the values that should define our future," she wrote in the WaPo article. Harris also plugged in her own book club, Phenomenal Books "which spotlights the work of underrepresented authors, particularly women of color." She wrote, "Titles that teach kids to value — not just tolerate — each other's differences are certainly important. But with many of our schools failing to offer a curriculum or environment that combats racism, simply reading representative books to our kids isn't enough.

"Parents need to share narratives with their children that are historically accurate and anti-racist," Harris further explained. "They need to tell stories that say what politicians are afraid to, and what so many teachers now can't: that this country was stolen from Indigenous people, founded by white supremacists, and built on the backs of enslaved people — and that racism shapes our society to this day," wrote the mother of two daughters Amara and Leela. The purpose of this article, Harris says, is to teach tolerance to kids if schools won't. 

"Over the last year-and-a-half, as the coronavirus pandemic triggered school closures, haphazard virtual learning setups, and confusing safety guidelines, parents of school-age children have been driven to the brink — juggling their jobs with a full-time commitment to ensuring their kids are getting a safe, quality education. For parents of color, including myself, that health crisis has been compounded by a racial justice crisis," she continued. "While we navigated both crises, Republican lawmakers in 28 states have sought to bar educators from discussing racism, equity and justice in classrooms," Harris penned. 

Harris's article hasn't been received well by a certain section on the Internet who labeled her a "racist." A tweet read, "Meena Harris is a racist swamp creature." Another wrote, "What a race-hustling hatemongering twat Meena Harris is." A third tweeted, "Homeschooling racism? No thanks." A fourth wrote, "And why should anyone give a rat's ass what this obvious Racist wants." Another wrote, "I have NO Idea who this woman is or more importantly why her opinion matters but The VERY meaning of CRT is racism. Why are you pushing segregation and racism? I base my opinion of people on their character, not their skin color."