How and why South Florida’s Caribbean voters are supporting the Kamala Harris campaign

Activist Dr. Flore Lindor Latortue, speaks during a gathering before the departure of a caravan led by Haitian organizers to show support for the Harris campaign that began at the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami and traveled to the North Miami Library, on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

Climate Change

Another caravan participant spoke on the needs of Caribbean countries not being prioritized despite their close proximity to the United States. Chief among these needs include addressing the effects of climate change, according to leaders of the grassroots movement.

“The causes of climate change don’t start in the Caribbean, but the impact of climate change disproportionately impacts us,” Andre said in an interview with the Herald. “Where people go to play, right? That’s where our families live, and they’re the ones that are being devastated as the ocean waters warm up and we’re dealing with all manner of hurricanes and tropical storms in an increased fashion and increased intensity.”

READ MORE: No debate anymore: Climate change makes extreme weather worse, federal scientists say

Harris’ record as vice-president — particularly her historic visit to the Bahamas last summer and her meeting with the 15-member Caribbean Community bloc known as CARICOM — demonstrates her commitment to addressing the region’s climate crisis, according to D’Shawna Bernard, one of the planning committee members for the Caribbean Americans for Harris national call that took place on Aug. 1.

Bernard, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, stressed that the Haitian and Jamaican electorate represents a significant voting block in parts of South Florida.

One member of this voting block, Carmen Morris, is launching a “Caribbean and African Sisters for Kamala” caucus. Morris told the Herald that the idea was inspired, in part, by the work done by “Win with Black Women” — an organization that raised $1.6 million dollars for the Harris campaign in three hours during a zoom meeting.

Still in the planning process, Morris intends for this to be a call to action for the community to contribute to the campaign in any way they can.

“You can give financially. You can give through the works of your hands by volunteering. You can organize. You can call others on the phone,” Morris said.

She wants to organize a call where people of Caribbean and African descent, including elected officials and entertainers, can commune and learn more about Harris’ background — with an emphasis on how she shattered glass ceilings as a woman of color.

In addition, Morris plans to play the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which she hasn’t heard played on calls orchestrated by other groups. This song has local significance, Morris noted, as it was composed at Florida Memorial University — an historically Black college in Miami Gardens.

Nancy Metayer Bowen (left), Director of the Florida Caribbean Vote and Sandy Dorsainvil, Director Route 1804, get ready before the departure of a caravan led by Haitian organizers to show support for the Harris campaign that began at the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami and traveled to the North Miami Library, on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

‘A fresh perspective’

Harris is also finding support among younger Caribbeans who believe that she represents a new generation of leadership.

Christel Louidor, the founder of the nonprofit Gen Z Pou Ayiti (Gen Z for Haiti), appreciates Harris’ non-traditional approach to voter outreach. The 19-year-old Broward College student said that Harris is popular with Gen Z voters because she knows where to find them — Tik Tok.

“She’s making a historical significance, and she’s doing it through the way where she can impact us the most and she knows exactly where to do it,” Loudior said.

Harris joined the Tik Tok app on July 25 and has 4.4 million followers.

She hopes that Harris, if elected, will build upon the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration reform policies that created more pathways to citizenship.

Louidor is working phone banks, attending community events, and speaking at her mother’s church, Grace Church in Deerfield Beach — sometimes in Creole — to rally support for Harris within South Florida’s Caribbean community.

The first-time voter says that Gen Z is largely skeptical of politicians but many feel inspired by Harris’ charismatic personality and progressive policies.

“I believe that our generation is most excited about this nominee because it’s more of a fresh perspective.”

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Publish date : 2024-08-15 22:30:00

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