Overcoming Erasure: Harris and the Canaanite Woman
Kamala Harris’s presence on the national stage has been more than historic; it has transformed visibility for Black women in America. Amid a persistent political climate, Harris has not only championed policy but has also demonstrated an unyielding refusal to let society render her invisible. For Black women who frequently encounter dismissal, condescension, and exclusion, Harris’s determination resonates profoundly.
During a recent Fox News interview with Bret Baier, Harris was interrupted repeatedly. Calmly but assertively, she reminded him, “I’m answering your question, but you won’t allow me to finish.” With these words, Harris reclaimed her place in the conversation, exposing Baier’s apparent disregard for her responses. For countless Black women, this assertiveness goes beyond politics, symbolizing a necessary stand against invisibility in spaces designed to ignore their voices.
How often have we, as Black women, experienced being overlooked in seminars or group discussions, our voices obscured by others who assume greater importance? Such erasure echoes beyond mere inconvenience; it reinforces longstanding structures of dehumanization and marginalization. Harris’s bold stance, demanding space and recognition, embodies a courageous representation that speaks to the aspirations of Black women everywhere.
Representation Matters: Kamala Harris’s Advocacy and Visibility
Representation is a powerful form of advocacy. Kamala Harris, as the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as US Vice President, brings new visibility to Black women’s voices, challenging entrenched biases in male-dominated fields. Many of us, too, are familiar with the feeling of being interrupted mid-sentence by men who disregard our contributions. For Black women, this invisibility is not just frustrating but reinforces historical patterns of erasure.
Throughout her campaign, Harris faced hostile attempts to silence her, including disruptions from individuals believed to be supporters of her opponents. Her response, “I’m speaking,” modeled the defiant spirit so many of us long to express. Her presence reminds us that we deserve to demand space and acknowledgment, even in arenas traditionally closed to us. This representation is not only momentous in its own right but also offers Black women a template for self-assertion and resilience.
The Canaanite Woman’s Persistent Plea
The biblical story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 offers another profound example of persistent advocacy. The woman—a “Canaanite” foreigner—approaches Jesus, pleading for her daughter’s healing. Although her status as an outsider suggests she is unwelcome, it is worth noting that Jesus has entered her territory. The text tells us:
"Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly’” (Matthew 15:21-22, NIV).
This encounter reveals that Jesus stepped into her domain, yet, when she asks for help, he initially ignores her. Meanwhile, his disciples, viewing her as an irritant, urge Jesus to “Send her away, she keeps crying after us” (v. 23). Despite their attempts to silence her, she persists, defying expectations. Her determination forces Jesus to engage, and her persistence leads to her daughter’s healing.
This woman’s advocacy challenges social norms, suggesting her voice is indeed valuable despite her outsider status. Her resilience parallels Harris’s own: faced with disregard and dismissal, both women stand firm. Rather than waiting for permission, they assert their right to be seen and heard.
A Womanist Ethic of Advocacy
The concept of an ethic of advocacy encompasses more than just speaking up—it reflects a commitment to a cause greater than oneself. Rooted in womanist traditions, this ethic prioritizes care, justice, and a commitment to equity. the enemy within Harris’s advocacy is aligned with this tradition, reflected in her work on issues such as healthcare access, affordable housing, and racial justice. Her approach to leadership exemplifies advocacy that is not only vocal but impactful, grounded in empathy and a desire to uplift marginalized communities.
For Black women, advocacy often emerges from lived experiences with injustice and exclusion. Like the Canaanite woman, we persist in our advocacy because it is rooted in a love that transcends self-interest. The Canaanite woman’s desire to heal her daughter compels her to confront the silence and disregard she encounters. Likewise, Harris’s advocacy emerges from a sense of responsibility to elevate those on the margins. Her empathy-driven leadership underscores that meaningful advocacy requires not just words but actions aimed at change.
Empathy and the Power of Persistence
Empathy is central to effective advocacy. The Canaanite woman’s persistence is fueled by her love for her daughter, a relationship that empowers her to resist dismissal. In a similar manner, Harris’s empathy for Black women and all Americans facing systemic inequalities drives her advocacy. Despite the challenges she faces, she embodies a commitment to giving voice to those silenced by structural injustice.
Harris’s approach to advocacy reminds us that empathy requires listening. Her response in the Fox News interview—firm yet respectful—illustrates that advocacy includes both asserting one’s voice and listening to others. Empathy is not a passive virtue; it motivates us to speak truth to power, even when our voices are ignored. This combination—empathy paired with resolve—enables Black women to maintain space in environments intended to erase them.
Overcoming Erasure in Leadership
The story of the Canaanite woman offers a framework for overcoming erasure. Though initially disregarded, she remains steadfast, ultimately achieving her goal of healing for her daughter. The disciples, in their attempt to silence her, inadvertently facilitate her encounter with Jesus, the one person who can grant her request. This irony—patriarchal figures trying to suppress her only to become instruments of her success—resonates with Harris’s own journey. Her very presence in American political life challenges the silence imposed on Black women, illustrating that even in spaces where we are unseen, our voices have immense power.
For Black women leaders today, overcoming erasure demands resilience. Whether in politics, the workplace, or community spaces, we must continue to disrupt norms that dismiss our voices. Harris’s legacy is not confined to the policies she champions; it also includes her example of courage and consistency in the face of systemic invisibility.
Conclusion: A Call to Speak Up and Hold Space
The ethic of advocacy exemplified by the Canaanite woman and Kamala Harris resonates because it underscores our collective strength. Harris’s work as a public servant and her insistence on being heard echo this ethic. Her leadership demonstrates the power of advocacy rooted in empathy and determination—qualities that Black women across generations have embodied.
As we continue in our own advocacy, let us honor the legacy of Harris and the Canaanite woman by insisting on our voices, advocating for justice, and creating space for those who come after us. This transformation happens not only in grand acts but in small, everyday moments where we insist that our voices have value.
Rather than stand quietly as others speak over us, we can also boldly declare, “I’m speaking now.”
References
Lorde, Audre. Sister Outsider. Crossing Press, 1984.
Nash, CL. “She is in Bitter Distress: a Womanist Ethic of Advocacy,” in Mutuality Magazine, CBE International, Sept. 2020
Walker-Barnes, Chanequa. Too Heavy a Yoke: Black Women and the Burden of Strength. Cascade Books, 2014.
Womanist interpretations of biblical texts in The Womanist Reader, edited by Layli Maparyan.
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