In one of the most historic presidential campaigns of our time, Kamala Harris’s candidacy stands out for its inherent feminist essence, despite her careful avoidance of the "f-word." Harris’s approach starkly contrasts Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, where symbolic gestures like the suffragist-white pantsuit symbolized a bold feminist statement. At the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Clinton made a rare nod to Harris’s groundbreaking position as the potential first female president. Yet, the narrative focuses less on breaking the glass ceiling and more on policies with feminist undertones, leaving the explicit term "feminism" conspicuously absent.
Though Harris sidesteps direct discussion of her status as a woman of color in the presidential race, her campaign continues to champion policies historically aligned with feminist goals. Her platform remains committed to reproductive rights, child care reform, and economic policies geared toward family support. While she may not label her campaign as “feminist,” by definition—advocating for political, economic, and social equality—her actions speak volumes.
Political commentators see this subtlety as a pragmatic choice. Many recall the backlash Clinton faced for openly embracing feminism, leading some to believe Harris’s approach is strategic, informed by the cultural shift that places feminism in a different light than it enjoyed in 2016.
The Feminist “Vibe Shift”: Why the Word Feels Out of Place
Today, feminist policies retain popularity, but the “feminist” label is now viewed as polarizing, even passé. Mainstream feminism has seemingly lost the cultural spark it held in the early 2010s, when public figures like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift proudly declared their feminist identities, helping to define the movement as accessible and fashionable. Yet, over the past decade, feminism has evolved from a bold social stance into a mainstream concept, often co-opted by corporations and consumer culture, rendering it less edgy and, ironically, less effective in galvanizing the left.
Movements like Pantsuit Nation, once emblematic of grassroots feminist support, have lost their resonance. Symbols like the pink “pussy hat” faced backlash for being racially and culturally insensitive. Meanwhile, as the feminist movement continued to permeate media and politics, its commercialization dulled its impact, and the ideals it once embodied became diluted. For the younger generation, the commodification of feminism has transformed its image from a revolutionary stance to something corporate and lackluster.
Gender Solidarity vs. Class Solidarity: The Left’s Dilemma
Within leftist circles, a recurring critique has emerged, particularly during past Democratic primaries. Some leftist activists criticized support for female candidates like Clinton in 2016 and Elizabeth Warren in 2020, suggesting that prioritizing gender over class concerns was superficial. This dialogue, often reinforced by the rhetoric of Bernie Sanders supporters, reflected a growing belief that identity politics, while symbolically significant, took a backseat to economic and class-based issues. When Sanders remarked, “It is not good enough for somebody to say, ‘I’m a woman, vote for me,’” he was subtly reinforcing this sentiment.
This critique of feminism as a “symbol over substance” issue now haunts Harris’s campaign, with some detractors dismissing her as a “gaslight gatekeep girlboss” who pursues image over policy. For Harris, steering away from a feminist identity might offer strategic advantages in an era when the public demands more than symbolic representation.
The Right’s Rejection of Feminism and the Gen Z Gender Divide
On the other side, the right rejects feminism not as uninspiring, but as radical. Conservative values endorse traditional gender roles, drawing a sharp line against Democratic policies promoting gender equality. This divide also resonates with younger voters: while young women increasingly align with progressive values, a growing number of young men identify as conservative. According to a 2021 survey by the Survey Center on American Life, 44% of young women identified as liberal compared to just 25% of young men. Further data suggests that while 52% of millennial men viewed themselves as feminists, this percentage drops among Gen Z males.
In part, Gen Z men’s opposition to feminism can be traced to a perceived sense of displacement. The New York Times reports that many young men feel alienated by changing gender norms and, rather than embracing feminist principles, view figures like Donald Trump as champions of “traditional manhood.” For some, feminism no longer symbolizes gender equality but appears as a critique against men, intensifying their reluctance toward progressive gender policies.
Feminism and Popular Culture: The Cycle of Overexposure
Feminism’s recent trajectory mirrors that of pop culture icons. Much like a rising celebrity who enjoys initial adoration before becoming overhyped and overexposed, feminism’s mainstream adoption led to its dilution. Following the regressive misogyny of the early 2000s, feminism surged as the nation embraced Obama-era progressivism. However, by the mid-2010s, feminist slogans and symbols—often co-opted by corporate interests—lost their rebellious edge. The “pussy hat,” once a symbol of resistance, appeared on fashion runways and magazine covers, losing its potency with each iteration.
The result is a decade-long cultural shift that turned feminism from a radical stance into an accessible, consumer-friendly slogan. Corporate-friendly feminism became useful to marketers and political campaigners but simultaneously eroded its appeal, leaving it “defanged and boring.” For today’s electorate, what feels passé is not feminism’s ideals but the commoditized symbols that once represented it.
Harris’s Calculated Silence and the Future of Feminism in Politics
Kamala Harris’s campaign exemplifies feminism’s nuanced role in contemporary politics. Her platform advocates for gender equity without the overt symbolism that marked Clinton’s 2016 run. Harris’s cautious approach raises the question: has feminism’s label become a liability? For Democrats, who need to appeal to both women and young voters, embracing gender politics remains essential, though increasingly complex.
Yet, the 2024 election holds significant stakes for feminism’s place in America. If Harris wins without explicitly embracing a feminist label, it may signal a pragmatic shift in how feminist principles are implemented in politics. However, should she lose to a candidate who actively opposes progressive gender ideals, it may reveal that America’s ambivalence toward female leadership and feminist ideals persists, regardless of whether those ideals are named or implied.
In the end, Harris’s journey reflects a broader societal shift: feminism’s core values remain vital, but its symbols and labels are undergoing transformation. As the political and cultural landscape evolves, feminism may need to redefine itself—not through labels, but through policies that speak louder than any slogan or signifier ever could.