Vice President Kamala Harris was criticized on social media after she gave a confusing and repetitive answer to a question about culture at a music festival in New Orleans last week.
Harris was participating in a “moderated conversation” at the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture, where she addressed topics ranging from abortion to maternal health. The event is described by its vice president, Hakeem Holmes, as a “crown jewel of Black culture” that “plays a pivotal role in the amplification and celebration of the contributions of the Black community through business, music and more,” according to the Associated Press.
One of the moderators asked Harris how people should channel their energy to “very intentional ways” in order to affect change and how important she thinks culture is in affecting this change.
“Culture is — it is a reflection of our moment and our time. Right? And present culture is the way we express how we’re feeling about the moment, and we should always find times to express how we feel about the moment. That is a reflection of joy. Because, you know … it comes in the morning,” Harris said with a laugh.
“We have to find ways to also express the way we feel about the moment in terms of just having language and a connection to how people are experiencing life,” the vice president continued. “And I think about it in that way, too.”
She then moved on to the next part of the question, talking about how leaders should be conscious about how their words affect others without any further clarification on her remarks on culture.
The answer was met with confusion and mockery on social media, with many bashing her remarks as being without substance or meaning.
“This is the emptiest human being alive. Sincerely. Empty. Vapid. Nonsense,” radio and podcast host Chris Stigall tweeted.
“Kamala tried to define the word ‘culture’ today … And it went about as well as if a 9-year-old had to give a speech on quantum physics,” another user wrote.
