Kamala Harris Sparks Debate with ‘Mysterious Accent’ at Congressional Black Caucus Dinner
Vice President Kamala Harris has once again drawn attention for altering her accent during a speech, this time at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual Phoenix Awards Dinner. Harris, 59, briefly shifted her tone during her introduction, addressing the audience of dignitaries and Black fraternity and sorority members by saying, “Hello to all my Divine Nine brothers and sisters,” a reference to historically Black colleges’ prominent Greek organizations. Harris, an alumna of Howard University’s Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, shared the greeting with a laugh, sparking discussions online.
Throughout her address, Harris mostly reverted to her typical speaking style but was observed to change her tone during particularly animated moments. While the speech was aimed at celebrating the event and honoring President Joe Biden, who received a lifetime achievement award, it was her perceived accent switch that caught the attention of many observers.
Criticism and Accusations of Pandering
As has occurred in the past, Harris’s speech was met with criticism from some conservatives, who accused her of pandering by adopting a different accent when speaking to Black audiences. Prominent figures took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their views, with some suggesting that Harris has a history of altering her speech pattern depending on her audience. Conservative commentator Benny Johnson and others pointed out that this was not the first time Harris had been accused of using a “fake accent.”
Online commentators also referenced other instances where Harris has been perceived as shifting her accent, including a Southern drawl during a rally in Atlanta in July and a French accent in 2021 while in France.
Online Backlash
Criticism quickly spread online, with users on X sharing their reactions. “Kamala Harris brings out her new accent at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 2024 Phoenix Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C.,” wrote Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics. Other users, including the Trump campaign’s War Room account, echoed similar sentiments, accusing Harris of adjusting her speech for specific audiences.
A conservative influencer, Steve Guest, posted a montage of Harris’ various speech styles over the years, captioning it with, “Kamala Harris is whatever you want her to be, depending on which audience she is talking to.” This comment aligns with previous accusations that Harris alters her persona to suit different events.
A Pattern of Shifting Accents?
This isn’t the first time Harris has been accused of adopting different accents in public speeches. Earlier this month, she was called out for using a different tone while addressing a teacher’s union in Michigan. Despite a background rooted in California and Montreal, Harris has been seen using various accents, leading some critics to question her authenticity when engaging with diverse audiences.
The controversy has added yet another layer of scrutiny to Harris’s public image, as she continues to balance her role as vice president and navigate a complex political landscape ahead of the 2024 election. Whether this accent switch will have a lasting impact on her reputation remains to be seen, but it has certainly sparked conversation across both social and political spheres.