Kamala Harris: Why is her new job so important?

Do you know who Kamala Harris is? Watch the video to find out about this very special woman and her new job.

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Kamala Harris: And what a testament it is to Joe's character that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exists in our country and select a woman as his vice president.

Not only is she the first female in that position but Kamala is also the first non-white American vice president. But why is this so significant? Well, there's a long history behind it all.

Women weren't allowed to vote in the US until 1920. And black people weren't officially allowed to vote until 1965. The country has come a long way since then. And now, the second most senior person in politics in America is both black and a woman, which is a huge step. However, Kamala isn't the only black woman to want the top job in the White House.

Meet Shirley Chisholm. She was the first black woman elected to Congress in 1968 and was also the first to run for president in the US in 1972. 

Shirley Chisholm: I am the candidate of the people of America. 

Whilst campaigning she faced a lot of discrimination because of the colour of her skin. She was even blocked from joining TV debates. Shirley didn't win; however, her fight for power in politics has helped Kamala Harris get to where she is today.

And Kamala's new role isn't just a historical moment for black people in America. She's also half Indian, and it's a part of her that she's very proud of. Kamala's father is from Jamaica and her mother was from India. And when speaking about her mother during her victory speech, Kamala said, 'She maybe didn't quite imagine this moment, but she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible.'

In addition to her Jamaican and Indian heritage, Kamala describes herself as an American too. 

Different people have referred to the new vice president as Asian American, African American, black, of colour, and South Asian. But it's important to know what Kamala thinks.

Kamala Harris: Well, I'm black, and I'm proud of being black. And I was born black, I will die black. 

And now this black woman will be America's vice president. 

© BBC

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