Why was Kamala Harris wearing a purple coat?

This Wednesday, January 21, Joe Biden was sworn in in Washington, in front of the Capitol, in an unprecedented ceremony due to security measures and the Covid-19 pandemic. Alongside her, Kamala Harris became the first female vice president of the United States, and the first black woman of Indian descent to hold the post. For the occasion, the former prosecutor wore a purple coat designed by African-American and queer designer Christopher John Rogers. A color choice that was nothing trivial!

Purple, a strong symbol

So yesterday, Kamala Harris chose to dress in purple to take the oath. And inevitably, this color is far from being anecdotal. If some say that purple is the color of bipartisanship in the United States, red for Republicans and blue for Democrats, it is especially heavy with meaning for the feminist cause. Purple is indeed the traditional and official color of feminists. It was also the color of suffragettes from the beginning of the 19th century. The latter wore colorful ribbons during their demonstrations to demand the right to vote.

A tribute to Shirley Chisholm

But the purple would also be a tribute to Shirley Chisholm, an American politician. Indeed, according to Abby Phillips, reporter for CNN, “Kamala Harris has often worn this color during her presidential campaign as a nod to Shirley Chisholm, who was the first black woman to run for president in 1972, for the Democratic Party, and the first black woman elected to Congress. the United States. Chisholm had used the color purple on his campaign flyers ”.

Purple therefore appears to be a meaningful color, a symbol of both power and unity that American female politicians appreciate for its many meanings. Besides, Kamala Harris was not the only one wearing purple when Joe Biden was inaugurated. Hillary Clinton, who was accompanied by her husband Bill Clinton, was also dressed entirely in purple.

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Video by Juliette Le Peillet