Don't get it twisted: 'Chucks and Pearls' don't validate VP Kamala Harris

OPINION BY MONA AUSTIN 

Madam Vice President.  These words would never have been spoken before the 20th of January, 2021.  On that day, Kamala Harris, a former California Senator became the first woman to be inaugurated as a Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS).  Harris fulfilling the role that was occupied by men for hundreds of years, disrupted the pathology of patriarchy and serves as a a source of pride for women everywhere.  Having a woman   serve in the second-highest position in the country, powerfully symbolizes that she is next in line to be the Commander-in-chief if needed.  

Women across the world gleefully posted pictures of themselves wearing Chucks and pearls throughout social media on Inauguration Day to honor Harris. Many women refused to participate in the proud occasion. Some critics online posted their opinions against the show of unity contorting it into a politicized moment about her views and values. The point of the act of unity is that a woman made history and that achievement was a cause to celebrate.

I did not wear my Chucks and pearls in a cavalier manner, but to stand in solidarity with women thrilled by the barrier-breaking progress that was made when Pres. Joe Biden chose Harris. There is more to this movement of support than "dressing cute" in VP Harris' signature casual attire. I support the big picture. For me it was not about her being a member of a Black sorority, a graduate of an HBCU or being a racial minority. She is a woman and that was enough.

As the mother of two daughters, I am proud to see a woman in the White House in my/their lifetime. Harris represents that progress that I have worked for and it pleased me deeply to see the manifestation of my work and millions of other women before her who have toiled to push through class ceilings. Such progress will lead to wage equity, leveling reproduction rights,

Whether you are Democrat or Republican, if you are a woman in America, this is a win for women's equality, a win for you. How you exercise YOUR equality is a personal choice, regardless of public policy. That is the beauty of this Republic. We are free to make our own decisions. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's mine: Celebrate this accomplishment in the moment and hold all leaders accountable to do the work they were sent to Washington to do.

For those of us who understand the size of this accomplishment, she won't get a pass just because she is a woman.