Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Delivers a Victory Speech That Captivates Diverse Audiences [AdverTimes]
This column is a full English translation of the article contributed to AdverTimes on November 18th, 2020.
Kamala Harris has become known as the woman who shattered the glass ceiling, becoming the first female, first Black, and first Asian-American Vice President-elect of the United States. Her victory speech on November 7 overflowed with messages to her predecessors, her long-held aspirations, and her vision for the future.
Let's delve into the points that made her presence unforgettable: her effective visualization of her message and story, her captivating speaking style, and the impactful keywords in her speech.
On November 7, 2020, U.S. time, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were confirmed as the winners of the U.S. presidential election.
The moment was met with cheers, applause, and honking horns in NYC. That night, Kamala Harris, the first female, Black, and Asian-American Vice President-elect, gave her victory speech ahead of Biden.
She appeared in a striking all-white outfit, wearing an ivory-white suit and a glossy white silk bow-tie blouse. Standing on a large stage against a deep blue backdrop, symbolic of the Democratic Party, her all-white attire made her presence even more commanding.
The White as a Homage to the Suffragettes
In her previous public appearances, Harris often wore dark-colored outfits, always in pantsuits, avoiding sweetness and opting for plain and traditional styles. She often paired her looks with Converse sneakers, adding a sporty touch.
However, for this night, she chose an all-white pantsuit. The ivory-white shade of her suit complemented her warm brown skin tone, emphasizing her elegance. The suit, with its straight lines and high-quality tailoring, was from the New York-based brand Carolina Herrera. The matching ivory-white silk bow-tie blouse highlighted her features and soft contours, making a stunning combination.
Her all-white ensemble carried significant meaning. It was an homage to the suffragettes, who wore white dresses during their marches. White universally symbolizes purity and light, and is the color with the highest brightness, representing light itself. It is also notable that women gained the right to vote in the United States in 1920, exactly 100 years ago.
As the first female and first person of color (Black and Asian) to be Vice President-elect, Harris likely considered the possibility of criticism for any move she made. With meticulous attention, she avoided overly fashionable or feminine trends, demonstrating her dignity and pride as a woman.
Her Calm, Deep Voice and Rhythmic Speech
Harris’s voice was calm, deep, and powerful. Her slightly nasal tone softened the potentially rigid nature of such speeches. Her rhythm, intonation, and coordinated body movements captivated the audience.
Her speech was characterized by three notable elements: speed, word choice, and pauses. These aspects showed her intent to convey her message to as many Americans as possible.
Her victory speech was notably slow, with 946 words in about 10 minutes, translating to fewer than 100 words per minute. Generally, English speeches range from 120 to 150 words per minute, with 120 words being considered slow. Harris spoke even slower than this, using simple language and taking ample pauses between sentences, ensuring each word resonated deeply.
In a diverse country like the U.S., where many people are immigrants and English is not their first language, speaking too quickly and using complex words can significantly reduce message clarity. Continuous speech without pauses also hinders understanding.
In such a grand setting, many speakers might become excited or rushed, resulting in rapid speech and uninterrupted sentences. Taking long pauses can seem awkward and requires courage, yet Harris did so without appearing unnatural. She skillfully engaged the audience, pausing at the right moments and resuming her speech with solemnity.
This approach reflected her desire to convey her message to as many people as possible, including minorities, immigrants, and children who represent America's future.
Carrying Forward Hillary Clinton’s Dream with Her Message
Harris likely wanted to particularly address "little girls." This is evident from the memorable part of her victory speech:
"But while I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities."
When I heard Harris's speech, I immediately thought of a poignant speech by Hillary Clinton, who conceded to Trump in the 2016 presidential election:
"And to all the women, and especially the young women, who put their faith in this campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion. Now, I — I know — I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but some day someone will and hopefully sooner than we might think right now. And — and to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams."
Harris’s speech responded to Clinton’s hope, fulfilling the long-held dream of breaking the glass ceiling.
The Light of Hope as the First Female, Black, and Asian Vice President
An episode related to Harris’s speech reflects the conscience and hope embedded in American society. A friend’s daughter, who attended an all-girls school in New York, was eagerly anticipating the election of the first female president in 2016. When that didn't happen, she learned about the "glass ceiling" for the first time. The school’s principal sent an email to parents, pledging to support the students' dreams and confidence. Following Harris's victory speech, the school posted excerpts from her speech on Facebook and Instagram, aligning them with the school’s mission statement. Middle school students were also tasked with writing letters to their future selves, inspired by Harris’s speech.
This episode illustrates how Harris’s election and words served as a beacon of hope, especially during challenging times, and underscored the importance of presence and strong messages in shaping lives.
Harris’s presence and speech, especially for women, minorities, and young girls with dreams and hopes, healed wounds and inspired many. Her big smile and all-white attire will continue to be a source of inspiration and a goal for many. The election of the first female Vice President of the United States brings hope not just to America but to people worldwide.