Kamala Harris and the American presidential elections: An Object-Oriented Ontology of political objecthood

In contemporary American politics, representation by the underrepresented has become both a marker of progress and a site of contention, particularly when intersecting with race and gender. This study critically examines Kamala Harris as a political object through which broader societal tensions surrounding power, identity and legitimacy manifest. Drawing from Object-Oriented Ontology (OOO) and critical political communication, the article interrogates how Harris’s political trajectory reflects the structural biases that continue to shape perceptions of leadership and authority. As the first female, Black and South Asian Democrat Presidential candidate, Harris occupies a paradoxical position – her historic election to the office of the Vice President initially signified progress, yet the racialized and gendered scrutiny she faced during the 2024 presidential election campaigns illustrates the enduring barriers to true political equity. Through an analysis of media discourse and historical case studies, this study reveals how Harris’s struggles on the fronts of colour and gender disrupt, yet simultaneously reinforce, dominant power structures. Her presidential pursuit highlights the limitations of symbolic representation, exposing how race and gender continue to dictate the terms of political legitimacy. By situating Harris within the broader struggles of marginalized politicians, this study advances critical discussions on political representation, structural inequities and the ongoing tensions between diversity and power in American democracy.