Researchers at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications performed a study that examined how the then-Vice President nominee (now Vice President) utilized a platform that was at the time known as Twitter (now "X"). This study "created a lens through which future researchers and the public may better understand the redefinition of Black women in both social media and politics" (Grant, Burden & Cheek, 2021). The study collected Harris's tweets and organized them into a narrative to analyze their themes.
The first theme was "Change". Harris emphasized throughout her tweets that change is possible and community involvement is the root of change. She consistently emphasized this message of "we" over "I," which is to say that the community ultimately trumps the individual. She discussed many topics that revolve around this theme of change, including gun violence/reform, COVID-19 regulations, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The second theme was "Access". Harris utilized Twitter in hopes of breaking down barriers that marginalized communities face. One of these barriers is the access to exercise their right to vote. She frequently tweeted about creating opportunities and resources for these communities. She also utilized Twitter to call out "systems of power that disenfranchise marginalized communities" (Grant, Burden & Cheek, 2021). Her tweets discuss how the problem of oppression and discrimination is a systematic and institutional issue.
The last theme was "Community". Kamala could have made the focus be on herself and her achievements, but her tweets show that "she draws the focus to community-building of others through her own achievements" (Grant, Burden & Cheek, 2021). She frequently emphasized black feminism by sharing her heritage and achievements. By doing this, Kamala has created space for the black community in politics and activism.
Overall, this study shows us how Kamala Harris has empowered people, specifically black women, through her social media work. Through her work on social media, she has effectively created online space for political discourse among marginalized communities.
Source:
Grant, R., Burden, R., Cheek, S. (2021). "I Am Speaking." 2020 VP Nominee Kamala Harris' Impact of Black Feminism as Social Influences on Twitter. UF College of Journalism and Communications. https://www.jou.ufl.edu/insights/i-am-speaking-2020-vp-nominee-kamala-harris-impact-of-black-feminism-as-social-influencers-on-twitter/
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