Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a rousing message to young Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders at a recent health forum, urging them to shatter barriers and push for progress.
In a moment of unscripted candor, Harris declared, “Sometimes people will open the door for you and leave it open. Sometimes they won’t, and then you need to kick that fucking door down.”
This unapologetic call to action resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom face obstacles in their pursuit of justice and equality.
VP Kamala Harris Drops F-Bomb in Rousing Speech to Young Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Leaders
Harris’s remarks were part of a broader discussion on the importance of breaking down barriers and pioneering new paths. She drew on her own experiences, including her parents’ meeting at a civil rights march, to illustrate the power of determination and resilience.
“Breaking down barriers doesn’t mean you start on one side and end up on another,” she emphasized. “There’s breaking involved. And when you break things, you get cut, and you may bleed. And it is worth it every time.”
While Harris’s use of profanity may have raised some eyebrows, it’s not unprecedented in politics. From Harry Truman’s colorful descriptions of General Douglas MacArthur to Joe Biden’s recent characterizations of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, presidents and vice presidents have occasionally employed strong language to make a point or express frustration.
As Lyndon Johnson once lamented, “I don’t know what the fuck to do about Vietnam.” Harris’s remarks, however, were known for their emphasis on empowerment and action rather than mere frustration or anger.
