Maryland Democratic gubernatorial primary candidate Krish Vignarajah has already made waves by becoming one of the first to breastfeed in a campaign ad. Now she's highlighting the challenges of running for office as a woman of color, with a video of herself reading mean tweets directed at her.
Then she dives in. "Go back to India where you belong" reads one tweet, to which she responds, "First of all, I was born in Sri Lanka, I grew up in Baltimore, neither of which are India. And second of all, this is exactly why I support investing in civics education and social studies. Maps, use them!"
Another one reads, "I should vote #vagina Why?" Vignarajah fires back, "Did you ask, 'should I vote #penis' every time you voted in the past?"
Is it good strategy to shine a spotlight on hatred and hostility? As the only woman running in a crowded field, Vignarajah and her political consultants may be calculating that emphasizing her gender, and her willingness to face down any misogyny and racism that come her way, can only help her break out of the pack.
What Did Krish Vignarajah Say When Told to "Go Back to India"?
She begins the video noting that "social media can be both a wonderful and a terrible place for a woman running for office," and the campaign receives feedback that "run from overtly racist and sexist, to subtly racist and sexist."Then she dives in. "Go back to India where you belong" reads one tweet, to which she responds, "First of all, I was born in Sri Lanka, I grew up in Baltimore, neither of which are India. And second of all, this is exactly why I support investing in civics education and social studies. Maps, use them!"
Another one reads, "I should vote #vagina Why?" Vignarajah fires back, "Did you ask, 'should I vote #penis' every time you voted in the past?"
Krish Vignarajah's Baby Gives a Repeat Performance
She closes by noting that several commenters have scolded her to "stop using your baby as a prop." She then holds up her baby to the camera and deadpans: "I have no idea what you're talking about."Is it good strategy to shine a spotlight on hatred and hostility? As the only woman running in a crowded field, Vignarajah and her political consultants may be calculating that emphasizing her gender, and her willingness to face down any misogyny and racism that come her way, can only help her break out of the pack.