Armor bearers: Black women in Congress mobilize to boost Harris
The group, which includes Reps. Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters, Sen. Cory Booker and vice president-elect’s sister, has yet to schedule its first session, in part because last week’s riots, but members have been talking individually since the holidays. It is not yet clear whether Harris plans to take a direct hand in organizing or simply delegate tasks to her supporters, but members say the group will play a vital role. No Cabinet nominee’s confirmation hearing is more relevant. None requires a more diverse Cabinet. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have said for months the president-elect’s Cabinet will “look like America.”
Waters, Lee, and Pressley have gone as far as to say they will not vote for nominees lacking a history of advancing civil rights, diversity, and inclusion. Not all members agree on policy; there are progressives and moderates. Marcia Fudge, former head of the Congressional Black Caucus, claims there is overwhelming support for diversity, including among white members.
Reps. Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams are members, a sign that the group includes younger and more senior figures. The members share a sense of duty to ensure that America continues an open dialogue on race, inequality and the need for real bipartisan change. They believe in multilateralism and peacebuilding to meet the challenges from authoritarianism.
Although some say the group will be limited by political divisions, members believe they can rise above the current polarization and toxic political divisions. It is an effort to rid our nation of the apathy that can come from divisive labeling.
