How perfect does Kamala Harris have to be? By Kelly Lamon

 In my experience, woman in leadership must work harder and be more skilled in order to raise to the same level as their male counter parts.  It’s not to say that all the men leaders I’ve worked for aren’t skilled or that all women I’ve worked with have been exceptional.  But when I assess them overall, many of the men who raised to leadership could not have reached their role if they had been a woman.  And if the women had the same level of skill the men had, they would not have reached their leadership role. 

This trend is not just true in ministry and education (my fields); it’s also in business, nonprofits, and yes, in politics.  For women, this dynamic is incredibly frustrating. 

During this campaign season, we’ve all been watching how exceptional Harris has had to be and how ill-equipped Trump appears to be.  Yet this race is tight. 

Harris is one of the most qualified candidates for president in history, working in all three branches of government.  Yet she is accused of being unqualified.  But Trump’s multiple bankruptcies make him qualified?

Harris is clearly smart.  Her abilities to memorize content, weed through a lot of information at once, and leverage strategy with nuance is on the world stage. Yet she is literally being accused of being “stupid” and “incompetent.”  But Trump apparently is so smart because he can repeat women, man, camera, TV?

Harris is articulate and discipled in her language.  Her debate performance was just one example, but overall, she fluently mixes inspiration, with a repeated message, and policy.  Yet she is accused of “word salad.”  But Trump’s ramblings are so clear?

Harris understands the constitution and worked in law.  Nothing in her history indicates she will undermine the government for her own benefit.  Yet Trump calls her a fascist regularly, and she is being criticize by Republicans for answering a question about whether she thinks Trump is one.  Why the double standard?

I could go on and on but no need. It doesn’t matter how smart, articulate, and experienced Harris is, she will never be given the same pass, automatic trust, or benefit of doubt that Trump gets. 

This reality is so frustrating for women.  We look around and ask, “How did this man get into this position?  Or why are all the women that work for this person smarter than him?  Or why was this woman passed up for a man?”  For Harris, I can imagine she is thinking to herself, “Seriously? I’m actually being compared to Trump?” 

Women mostly keep these thoughts quiet, because if we dare point out these realities, we get accused of being whiney.  But I decided to just name it.  Call me whiney.