The 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC) was a highly anticipated event, as it not only marked the official nomination of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates, but also highlighted the party’s unity and determination to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election. However, amidst all the excitement and optimism, there was an underlying tension over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which was brought to light by Kamala Harris in her speech. The mention of Palestinian suffering in the passive voice by the vice presidential nominee has sparked a much-needed conversation about the issue and the role of the United States in finding a solution.
During her acceptance speech, Kamala Harris made history as the first Black and South Asian woman to be nominated for vice president by a major political party. She received a standing ovation as she took the stage, with her Democratic colleagues united behind her. Her powerful and inspiring speech touched upon various issues, from the COVID-19 pandemic to racial injustice, and highlighted the importance of unity and empathy in these challenging times. However, it was her mention of Palestinian suffering that caught the attention of many.
In her speech, Kamala Harris stated, “We also believe, and I believe, that we can combat anti-Semitism and acknowledge and fight against the plight of Palestinians. That’s called leadership.” This statement may seem unremarkable to some, but it holds significant weight in the current political climate. The mention of Palestinian suffering in a major political event like the DNC is a step towards recognizing and addressing the issue, which has long been ignored by the US government.
However, what caught the attention of many was the use of the passive voice in Harris’ statement. Instead of saying “we can acknowledge and fight against the plight of Palestinians,” she said “we can combat anti-Semitism and acknowledge and fight against the plight of Palestinians.” This subtle difference in language has sparked a debate about the intentions behind her words. Some argue that it was a strategic move to avoid any backlash from pro-Israel groups, while others believe it was a missed opportunity to show genuine support for the Palestinian cause.
The Intercept, a news organization known for its investigative journalism, published an article highlighting the use of the passive voice by Kamala Harris in her speech. The article, titled “Kamala Harris Mentioned Palestinian Suffering – in the Passive Voice,” sparked a conversation about the role of the US in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It shed light on the fact that the US has always been a staunch ally of Israel, providing them with billions of dollars in military aid every year, while turning a blind eye to the human rights violations and suffering of the Palestinian people.
The article also pointed out that the use of the passive voice by Harris was not a mere slip of the tongue, but a calculated move to appease both sides of the conflict. The Intercept argued that by mentioning the plight of Palestinians in the same sentence as combating anti-Semitism, Harris was trying to balance her support for Israel with a nod towards the Palestinian cause. However, this approach has been criticized by many, who believe that it undermines the severity of the situation and fails to address the root cause of the conflict.
The mention of Palestinian suffering by Kamala Harris has brought the issue to the forefront and sparked a much-needed conversation about the role of the US in finding a solution. While some may view her use of the passive voice as a missed opportunity, others see it as a step towards acknowledging the issue and taking action. The fact that her statement has sparked a debate and shed light on the ongoing conflict is a positive sign. It shows that the Democratic party is willing to have a dialogue about the issue and take a more proactive approach towards finding a solution.
The DNC was a historic event, with the Democratic party coming together to support their candidates and present a united front against Donald Trump. However, the tension over the conflict in Gaza reminded us that there are still important issues that need to be addressed. Kamala Harris’ mention of Palestinian suffering, although in the passive voice, has sparked a conversation and brought attention to the issue. It is now up to the US government to take concrete steps towards finding a solution and providing justice to the Palestinian people.
In conclusion, the mention of Palestinian suffering by Kamala Harris at the DNC is a step towards acknowledging the issue and sparking a much-needed conversation. While the use of the passive voice may have been criticized by some, it has shed light on the ongoing conflict
