‘Why don’t any of the signs say Kamala?’ my 6-year-old daughter asked me

Kamala HarrisIndian namesracism
Written By Mieke Smith

By Raakhee Mirchandani for Market Watch

“Why don’t any of the signs say Kamala?” Satya, my 6-year-old daughter, asked me. She recently learned how to read, and these days there is no sign nor cereal box left unread.

Names are a connection point for Satya and the Democratic vice presidential hopeful, Sen. Kamala Harris. Besides sharing Indian first names, the duo share the same middle name, Devi, something my kid finds endlessly fascinating. 

I get it. I’ve watched others struggle with my name my whole life. 

Mieke Smith
Previous

At age 7, my daughter has a joy in her Brown skin that I still have to work for
Next

‘In this environment, laundry is my love language.’ What I want this Mother’s Day