SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Jaime Harrison staunchly defended his party’s commitment to racial equity Thursday, drawing on his own identity as a black man to forcefully push back against critics who say Democrats need to abandon “identity politics.”
People of color need to see Democrats fighting for them, and that “cannot be an excuse to justify our victory or defeat.” Harrison said in an impassioned speech to Democratic state chairs gathered in Arizona.
“When I wake up in the morning, when I look in the mirror, when I walk out the door, I can’t erase this,” he said, waving his hand in front of his face. “This is who I am. This is how the world perceives me.
“It’s my identity,” he continued. “And it’s not politics. It’s my life. And the people I need in the party, who I need to defend myself, need to recognize that. You can’t run away from this.
Harrison’s four-year term will end early next year. He twice suggested he had other grievances he was eager to air, saying “the muzzle is coming off” the day after his replacement was elected on February 1. He has no plans to approve a replacement.
“That’s it for all of you,” Harrison said later as he finished his speech. “Because I’m saving the rest for my book.” And I give names.
Democrats are having a fierce debate over why Vice President Kamala Harris lost decisively to President-elect Donald Trump and the path forward for a party that will be locked out of the White House and congressional majorities. Some argued that the party had become too politically correct and focused too much on appealing to voters based on their identity.
Harris would have been the first woman, first black woman, and first person of Southeast Asian descent to be elected president of the United States. But she didn’t point it out race or gender in his presidential campaign.
Trump, however, spoke at length about Harris’ race even as many of his allies have pleaded with him to avoid stoking racial animosity.