US Vice President Kamala Harris’s Father Donald J. Harris, Embraces a Multicultural Ethnicity
Economist and professor Donald J. Harris rose from a diverse ethnic background, showcasing his rich cultural roots. His Jamaican and African heritage significantly shapes the identity of his daughter, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Donald J. Harris is a Stanford University professor emeritus who specializes in economic theories addressing development issues in Jamaica. His expertise and critical approach have significantly influenced the field of economics.
His 1978 work, Capital Accumulation, and Income Distribution underscores his critique of mainstream economic models. Harris has concentrated on Jamaican economic policies and challenged conventional practices.
Through his academic insights, Donald J. Harris has earned respect as an economist, shaping discussions on economic development and policy.
Economist and Professor Donald J. Harris Embraces His Jamaican-American Ethnicity
Donald J. Harris, born on August 23, 1938, is of Jamaican descent. He is the son of Afro-Jamaican parents, Oscar Joseph Harris and Beryl Christie Harris.
Harris’s paternal grandfather, Joseph Alexander Harris, owned land. His grandmother, meanwhile, claimed descent from Irish-born Hamilton-Brown, the founder of the local Anglican Church.
Growing up in Orange Hill, Saint Ann Parish, Harris draws from his African heritage and Jamaican roots to shape his identity
In the early 1960s, Donald traveled from Jamaica to the United States to pursue advanced studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
Here, he met Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian immigrant determined to break barriers in biochemistry. They connected during a study group for Black students, sharing a passion for civil rights.
Despite their different backgrounds, their bond was undeniable. That leads to their marriage and the birth of their daughters, Kamala and Maya.
Their diverse cultural backgrounds profoundly influenced their children. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris became the first Black and South Asian-American Vice President who embodies her parents’ rich heritage.
Her father’s Jamaican and African roots, combined with her mother’s Indian heritage, shape Kamala Harris’s unique identity. These diverse backgrounds contribute to her groundbreaking achievements in U.S. history.
Additional Information
- In 1966, Donald J. Harris received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
- Harris has specialized in economic analysis and policy concerning the economy of his home country of Jamaica throughout his professional life.
- Harris taught as an assistant professor at Northwestern University in 1967 and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1966 and 1967, respectively.
