Kamala Harris has once again placed herself at the center of attention with her latest TikTok video showcasing her Thanksgiving cooking with her nieces. This year, however, the focus has shifted from her past peculiarities to her portrayal of making collard greens. The question arises: Is she hinting at another run for office?
In the video, Harris enthusiastically claims, “We are preparing collard greens!” This statement comes on the heels of her controversial remark from last year, where she recounted cleaning collard greens in a bathtub. That anecdote raised eyebrows and sparked criticism. Now, she appears to be leaning into the personal connection fans expect from their leaders while trying to appeal to her audience. But the authenticity of her narrative is questionable.
She goes on to detail her cooking process, sharing ingredients like bacon, garlic, chili peppers, and Tabasco sauce. Harris insists she learned this recipe from her grandmother, stating, “My grandma used to put bacon. She used to put garlic. I put white vinegar.” The casual nature of her presentation may seem relatable, but critics argue it feels more staged than genuine.
This isn’t the first time Harris has interpreted cooking as a means to connect with voters. Her efforts parallel those of Hillary Clinton, who previously crafted her own ethnic narrative while finding common ground with black voters. Harris’s claim of washing greens in the bathtub appears to mirror this approach, suggesting a trend where politicians try too hard to appear relatable, often coming off as disingenuous.
In this instance, social media scrutiny quickly followed. Critics have been vocal, with one user stating, “Kamala’s cooking is as authentic as her political career. Show’s over, folks.” Others have joined in the backlash, expressing concerns about the quality of her greens and the overall sincerity of her Thanksgiving tradition. “Those are some wilted collards. I won’t even feed greens that wilted to my bearded dragon,” wrote one critic, cutting straight to the heart of the issue.
Harris’s attempts at relatability through cooking continue to be met with skepticism. With a growing number of social media reactions dissecting her culinary claims, it seems she may need to rethink her strategy. Her appeal, once potentially inclusive, now appears marred by doubts about authenticity and sincerity.
As she takes to platforms like TikTok during significant cultural moments such as Thanksgiving, one wonders if these efforts will boost her image or invite further ridicule. In a world where authenticity matters, Harris’s culinary showcase seems to stray further from achieving true connection with her audience.
"*" indicates required fields
