Harris Hold Atlanta Rally
It seems Vice President Kamala Harris is making headlines again, but this time it’s not for her policies or campaign promises. During a recent rally in Georgia, Harris appeared to adopt a new accent, sparking plenty of chatter and comparisons to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s well-known foray into Southern drawl territory.
As Harris addressed the crowd, she said, “And, you all helped us win in 2020, and we gon do it again in 2024,” her words delivered in what some have interpreted as a Southern accent. This change in tone didn’t go unnoticed, with social media lighting up with reactions ranging from amusement to confusion.
Kamala unveils a new accent in Atlanta:
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 30, 2024
One person on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “Not sure what accent she was going for but that’s not how anyone in Atlanta sounds,” pointing out the disconnect between Harris’s speech and the local dialect. Another quipped, “New accent just dropped,” highlighting the sudden and unexpected shift in her speaking style.
Not sure what accent she was going for but that’s not how anyone in Atlanta sounds. https://t.co/qWvaOrsonB
— William Orr (@williamorr2110) July 30, 2024
Political commentator Matt Walsh also weighed in, comparing Harris’s accent to the infamous moments when Hillary Clinton adopted a Southern twang during her campaign stops in the South. Walsh jokingly referred to it as “Sudden Onset Urban Accent,” a condition that he suggests also affected Clinton during her 2008 presidential campaign.
“We gon’ do it agin in twunny twunny fo!”
Kamala seems to have developed Sudden Onset Urban Accent. A condition that the last female presidential candidate famously suffered from.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 30, 2024
For those who remember, Hillary Clinton’s accent adjustments were widely discussed back in the day. In one notable instance during a rally in Memphis, Tennessee, Clinton spoke with a distinct Southern drawl, and again in Selma, Alabama, where she quoted the Rev. James Cleveland’s hymn “I Don’t Feel Noways Tired” with a similar accent. These moments were met with mixed reactions, with some viewing them as attempts to connect with local audiences and others seeing them as inauthentic.
Harris’s recent accent switch seems to have triggered similar reactions. While it’s not uncommon for politicians to modify their speaking styles to resonate with different audiences, it can be a risky move. When done effectively, it can create a sense of connection and relatability. But when it feels forced or out of place, it can backfire, leading to criticism and even mockery, as we’re seeing with Harris.