As the crowd cheered and the balloons fell on the last night of the Democratic National Convention, it became harder to deny that the energy around Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign is unlike anything this country has seen in a long time.
But as many of the convention speakers reminded us, those who aren’t ready or willing to accept the nation’s first Black female president are going to do everything they can to reject her – including mispronouncing her name. Enter actress Kerry Washington, who showed the crowd at the United Center on Thursday night, that even a kid can get it right.
Suggested Reading
During an appearance before the convention crowd, the “Scandal” star called out those who have called the Vice President any and everything but the name her parents gave her. And with the help of Vice President Harris’ adorable grandnieces, Washington gave the people with problems some much-needed help.
“It’s come to my attention that there are some folks who struggle, or pretend to struggle, with the proper pronunciation of our future president’s name,” Washington said. “So hear me out: Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not.”
Washington then brought Amara (8) and Leela (6) Ajagu to the stage. The two are the daughters of Meena Harris, who is VP Harris’ sister Maya’s only child. The girls are extremely close to their “auntie” and love spending time with her. They were spotted with Harris at Tyra Banks’ new Smize and Dream ice cream shop in Washington D.C. in July.
Amara explained, “First you say comma, like a comma in a sentence.” Leela added, “Then you say la, like ‘la, la, la, la, la.’” Washington and the girls then put it all together and got the crowd to chant “Ka-ma-la” enthusiastically along with them.
Pretty simple, right? Let’s just hope the Republicans were listening.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.