You may have seen Kamala Harris’s campaign on social media and wondered what coconuts, a palm tree, and a lime green square with the word “brat” have in common.
Whether you are familiar with these internet trends or have no idea what they’re about, this article will explain about this iconic campaign strategy!
Politics Meets Pop Culture: Kamala Harris’s Campaign Strategy
You might also have heard about one of Kamala’s most criticized moments, where she quoted a phrase that quickly went viral during the swearing-in ceremony of commissioners for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics.
“My mother used to — she would give us a hard time sometimes, and she would say to us, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?’” Harris laughed. “You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you,” she added.
It seems this peculiar comparison went viral, and the campaign quickly incorporated it into her image.
These emojis now not only represent a cool girl summer but also the potential new President of the United States. With memes and emojis, thousands of celebrities have shown their support for Harris, which brings us to the next point.
Kamala Goes Brat
“Kamala IS brat” is the tweet that started it all.
kamala IS brat
— Charli (@charli_xcx) July 22, 2024
Singer Charli XCX used the concept of her latest album ‘Brat’ to shout out to Harris, supporting her campaign.
‘Brat’ has become a trend on social media, especially on TikTok, keeping Harris and the ongoing conversation about ‘brat’ in the news. Even Kamala HQ, the official X page for her campaign, updated its cover photo to reflect the color and style of the ‘Brat’ album cover.
This clearly shows the integration of politics with the younger generation, ensuring that new campaigns and public images are up-to-date. It also reflects a visible attempt to engage young people in politics, as in normalizing it, talking about it, and eventually voting.
why did I stay up till 3am making a von dutch brat coconut tree edit featuring kamala harris and why can’t I stop watching it on repeat pic.twitter.com/hqcmerD1Pb
— ryan (@ryanlong03) July 3, 2024
We can’t be sure if young people are actively participating in this trend through reflection or if simply associating Harris with a young artist who has iconically rebranded herself as a ‘cheeky and spoiled’ brat is just a coincidence.
However, it is important to note that after Joe Biden officially withdrew his candidacy, everything is now in the hands of Trump, Harris, and society. These two candidates have shown us that charisma and civic engagement do matter when it comes to becoming president.
Next Stop, the White House?
With Joe Biden’s departure confirmed, delegates are free to vote for the candidate of their choice, and as already noted, Kamala Harris would have a clear path to face Donald Trump on November 5.
“Tonight, I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s candidate, and as a daughter of California, I am proud that my home state’s delegation helped our campaign reach the top. I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon,” Harris said upon hearing the news.
The Democratic Party wants the nominee to be official before the National Convention, which will take place during the third week of August at the United Center in Chicago. Therefore, the key date for the voting process seems to be August 7.
I personally think It’s a really good strategy. What do you think?
