US Vice President Kamala Harris sparked outrage among netizens and conservative political analysts following her statement, claiming that the federal Hurricane Ian relief program would prioritize people of color.
In a speech Harris made during the Democratic National Committee’s Women’s Leadership Forum, Harris told Indian actress Priyanka Chopra that people of color as well as the low-income earners are most likely to face the consequences of natural disasters like Hurricane Ian.
The vice president also claimed that the federal relief programs will be using the system of “equity” as its basis where people from certain races will get the most relief. Harris also added the people of color are impacted by issues not created by them.
Vice President Kamala Harris received sharp criticism, according to the New York Post, after suggesting that aid for Hurricane Ian would be “based on equity” and hinting that “communities of color” would be the first to receive aid.https://t.co/m88NGR4FJA
— Newsmax (@newsmax) October 1, 2022
In addition, Harris also told Chopra that not every individual started from the same place, so even if the country is fighting for equality, it is important to treat people based on equity and even insisted that treating people based on equity is “useful for ending long-lasting discrimination that remained prevalent in almost every sector of America for a long time.”
The vice president’s statement comes after the dreadful hurricane in Florida where she also claimed that the “rebuilding of the infrastructure will be decided by giving resources based on equity” and by directing funds to “communities of color.”
“We have to address this in a way that is about giving resources based on equity, understanding that we fight for equality, but we also need to fight for equity. If we want people to be in an equal place, sometimes we need to take into account those disparities and do that work,” Harris claimed.
Kamala’s statement became controversial and sparked sharp criticism from a number of people on social media.
Christina Pushaw, the rapid response director for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted Harris saying, “this is false. @VP’s rhetoric is causing undue panic and must be clarified. FEMA Individual Assistance is already available to all Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian, regardless of race or background.”
Elon Musk also blasted Harris, claiming that resource allocation “should be according to greatest need, not race or anything else.”
