In a 2019 essay, Kamala Harris’ father, Donald Harris, made a candid revelation about their family’s roots, linking them to a Jamaican plantation owner.
Donald Harris, an emeritus professor of economics at Stanford University, wrote in Jamaica Global about his ancestral ties, tracing them back to his paternal grandmother, Christiana Brown, whom he described as a descendant of Hamilton Brown. Hamilton Brown is a known historical figure in Jamaica, recognized as a plantation and slave owner in the 19th century and the founder of Brown’s Town.
In the essay, Donald Harris stated, “My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (née Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Brown’s Town).” This revelation stirred conversations about the complexity of lineage, particularly for a political figure like Kamala Harris, who has often emphasized her identity as the daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father.
Hamilton Brown is documented as owning plantations in Jamaica and being a prominent figure in the establishment of Brown’s Town. His history as a plantation owner and his involvement in slavery add a layer of complexity to the Harris family narrative, given Kamala Harris’ role as the first Black and South Asian woman Vice President of the United States. Kamala Harris has not directly addressed her father’s comments or this aspect of her ancestry.
Donald Harris’ essay didn’t intend to focus solely on this lineage, but his words sparked discussions online and within media circles about the legacies of colonialism and the intersections of history in modern-day identities. The revelation offers a nuanced look into Kamala Harris’ background, reflecting the complicated histories that often shape today’s public figures.