Kamala Harris Critiqued for Surprising Accent at Major Event

Kamala Harris speaking with an American flag in background.

Kamala Harris is under fire for using what critics call a “new accent” during her speech at the recent Congressional Black Caucus Foundation dinner.

At a Glance

Kamala Harris faced online backlash for alleged accent change at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation dinner.
Critics accuse her of altering her speech to pander to different audiences.
The White House dismissed the criticisms and emphasized more pressing national issues.
Harris continues her outreach to Black voters through planned future events.

Kamala Harris’s Accent at Congressional Black Caucus Event

During the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C., Kamala Harris greeted the audience using phrases such as “Hello to all of my Divine Nine brothers and sisters!” and “And to all my HBCU brothers and sisters.” Critics swiftly took to social media, accusing her of adopting a “new accent” to resonate with the predominantly Black audience.

Observers on social media platforms, including X, lambasted Harris for putting on a fake accent to pander to voters, referring to past instances where she used Southern drawls in Florida in 2020 and Atlanta, Georgia in July. Linguists explain that public figures sometimes naturally shift their tone and vocabulary depending on context, a phenomenon known as “code-switching,” though not all agree.

It's absolutely incredible that this woman is being considered for president. What is she going to do when she meets with world leaders, take on their foreign accents and break out into that laugh during serious conversations? https://t.co/NwwycO5HgZ

— Jules 😎 (@003Jules) September 15, 2024

Criticism and Accusations

Right-wing commentators, including Donald Trump, have accused Harris of using her racial identity to her advantage. GOP figures suggested that the recent accent change was tailored to appeal to the audience, calling it evidence of inauthenticity. Conservative pundits compared her to past Democratic politicians like Hillary Clinton, who were also criticized for modifying their speech.

“Kamala Harris is whatever you want her to be, depending on which audience she is talking to, but I give her credit for being able to change her accent for so many audiences!” said one observer on X.

Harris has often been noted for using different accents depending on her campaign location, including a French accent while visiting the Pasteur Institute in Paris in 2021 and a Detroit accent while speaking to teachers in Michigan. Critics on X loaded their comments with derision, with some calling the accent “incredibly insulting to black people.”

'SHAME ON KAMALA': VP Harris mocked for breaking out another "new accent" critics argue was "insulting to Black people." See the harsh reaction to the viral clip from the Congressional Black Caucus awards event. https://t.co/1XZfV4OW3S pic.twitter.com/2l5Su3qp9X

— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 15, 2024

White House Response

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed accusations of Kamala Harris using different accents as “insane,” emphasizing that Americans are more concerned about critical issues like the economy, healthcare, and lowering costs. Jean-Pierre urged the public to focus on more urgent matters affecting the country instead of engaging in speculation over Harris’s speech patterns.

Kamala Harris remains popular among older Black voters, though skepticism persists among younger Black voters. She is set to continue her outreach to Black voters, with future engagements including a meeting with the National Association of Black Journalists and a rally with Oprah Winfrey. President Biden praised Harris at the dinner, expressing hope that she will become the first woman president.