How Vice President Kamala Harris became "brat"

Summary

The script discusses the viral 'brat' phenomenon linked to Kamala Harris, likely Democratic Presidential nominee, following her endorsement by singer Charlie XCX. The term, originating from Charlie XCX's album, has been embraced by Harris's campaign, resonating with young voters through social media. Academic Abigail Dnik explains the cultural significance of the 'brat' meme, drawing parallels to the previous 'Barbie' trend, and positions Harris as an underdog figure embodying authenticity and fearlessness.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The term 'brat' in reference to Kamala Harris originated from a post by singer-songwriter Charlie XCX, who used it to endorse Harris after her presidential nomination.
• 🔧 Harris's campaign quickly embraced the 'brat' label, rebranding social media sites to align with the theme, leveraging the cultural moment to connect with younger voters.
• 🎶 'Brat' is the title of Charlie XCX's recently released album, which has been widely popular on TikTok and social media, making it a recognizable and influential meme.
• 🌟 The 'brat' concept is seen as a cultural shift from the 'Barbie' meme, representing a more fearless, authentic, and flawed character that resonates with young people.
• 💬 The 'brat' girl is characterized by her honesty, bravery, and the willingness to own all aspects of herself, including imperfections, which is a powerful image for Harris's campaign.
• 🔄 The term 'brat' has been redefined in a positive light, similar to how 'bad' was embraced in African-American vernacular English, to signify strength and authenticity.
• 👵 The 'brat' meme's alignment with Kamala Harris's nomination as the Democratic Presidential nominee is seen as serendipitous, fitting her unexpected rise in the political scene.
• 📈 The adoption of the 'brat' meme by Harris's campaign is strategic, aiming to engage millions of young voters who are active on social media platforms.
• 📊 The cultural analysis of the 'brat' meme by Professor Abigail Dnik suggests that it embodies an underdog, unexpected winner spirit, which could be advantageous for Harris's image.
• 🎵 The integration of pop culture figures like Charlie XCX with political campaigns is not new, but the 'brat' phenomenon indicates a new level of cultural influence on politics.

Q & A

What is the context in which the term 'brat' is being used in relation to Kamala Harris?

The term 'brat' is being used in relation to Kamala Harris as part of a viral online campaign, where 'brat' is a reference to the title of a recently released album by singer-songwriter Charlie XCX. It is being embraced by Harris's campaign as a symbol of authenticity and courage.

How did the association between Kamala Harris and the term 'brat' begin?

The association began when Charlie XCX, a singer-songwriter, posted 'kamala is brat' on her social media account, which coincided with the endorsement of Kamala Harris by President Biden. Harris's campaign then rebranded its social media to adopt a 'brat' theme.

What is the significance of the 'brat' theme in Charlie XCX's album and its cultural impact?

The 'brat' theme in Charlie XCX's album represents a cultural moment that is characterized by authenticity, fearlessness, and the embracing of one's flaws. It has become a popular meme on social media platforms like TikTok, influencing young voters.

How does the 'brat' meme relate to Kamala Harris's campaign strategy?

The 'brat' meme is being used by Kamala Harris's campaign to appeal to young voters by associating her with a cultural phenomenon that represents authenticity, courage, and the willingness to be completely oneself.

What does the 'brat' girl represent according to the academic analysis provided in the script?

The 'brat' girl represents a transformation and sequel to the 'Barbie' memes, embodying a fearless, brave, and honest spirit that owns all parts of oneself, including flaws. It is an underdog, unexpected winner spirit that aligns with Kamala Harris's image as a presidential nominee.

How has the 'brat' meme been utilized by Kamala Harris's campaign?

Kamala Harris's campaign has utilized the 'brat' meme by rebranding its social media sites with a 'brat' theme, capitalizing on the support shown by Charlie XCX and the cultural relevance of the meme to connect with young voters.

What is the potential impact of the 'brat' meme on Kamala Harris's campaign according to the script?

The potential impact of the 'brat' meme on Kamala Harris's campaign is significant as it can associate her with one of the most electrifying cultural moments, potentially reaching and influencing millions of young voters.

How does the 'brat' meme differ from the previous 'Barbie' memes as explained in the script?

The 'brat' meme differs from the 'Barbie' memes in that while 'Barbie' represents a put-together, respectable image, the 'brat' represents a more authentic, flawed, and endearing character that is brave enough to be completely honest and own all parts of herself.

What is the connection between the 'brat' meme and the idea of authenticity as discussed in the script?

The 'brat' meme is connected to the idea of authenticity through its representation of a character that is honest, owns all aspects of herself, including flaws, and is brave enough to stand in her power, which is seen as a form of authenticity.

How does the script suggest that the use of the 'brat' meme can be beneficial for a political campaign?

The script suggests that the use of the 'brat' meme can be beneficial for a political campaign by creating a connection with young voters through a cultural phenomenon that represents authenticity, courage, and the embracing of one's flaws.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 'Kamla is a BRAT': The Viral Campaign and Cultural Impact

The paragraph discusses the viral sensation surrounding Kamla Harris being referred to as a 'brat', a term popularized by singer Charlie XCX's recent album. The term has been embraced by Harris's campaign, which has rebranded its social media with a 'brat' theme. The paragraph highlights how this association with a cultural moment can influence young voters and discusses the concept of 'brat' as an empowering term symbolizing authenticity and fearlessness. Abigail dnik, an associate professor, explains the impact of online culture on the campaign and how the 'brat' meme aligns with Harris's image as an underdog and unexpected nominee.

05:00

🎶 Music and Politics: Charlie XCX's Influence on Harris's Campaign

This paragraph continues the discussion on the intersection of music and politics, specifically focusing on how Charlie XCX's support for Kamla Harris has influenced her campaign. It mentions past instances where musicians have supported political figures and draws a parallel to the current situation with Charlie XCX and Harris. The paragraph concludes with a thank you to Abigail dnik for her insights on the cultural significance of the 'brat' phenomenon and its role in the campaign.

Keywords

💡Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is the Vice President of the United States and the likely Democratic Presidential nominee. In the context of the video, she is embraced by the 'brat' theme, which is a cultural phenomenon associated with her campaign. The term 'brat' is used to describe her in a light-hearted and endearing way, suggesting a candid and relatable image that contrasts with traditional political figures. The video suggests that this association with the 'brat' theme could help her campaign connect with younger voters.

💡Brat

Brat, in the context of the video, refers to both the cultural phenomenon and the album by singer Charli XCX. It symbolizes a carefree, bold, and unapologetically authentic attitude. The video explains how the 'brat' theme has been adopted by Kamala Harris's campaign to appeal to younger voters and create a cultural moment around her nomination. It also contrasts the 'brat' image with the 'Barbie' meme, suggesting a shift in cultural trends and a new way of expressing empowerment and authenticity.

💡Charlie XCX

Charli XCX is an English singer, songwriter, and musician who has recently released an album titled 'Brat'. In the video, she is credited with doing a favor for Kamala Harris's campaign by associating her with the 'brat' theme, which has become a viral sensation. Charli XCX's music and the 'brat' theme are seen as electrifying and culturally significant, particularly among young voters.

💡Viral Sensation

A viral sensation refers to content that spreads rapidly and widely across the internet, becoming popular and widely recognized. In the video, the term is used to describe the unexpected association between Kamala Harris and the 'brat' theme, which has led to a surge of related memes and messages online. This virality is seen as a powerful tool for political campaigns to engage with the public, especially younger demographics.

💡Meme

A meme is a concept, video, or image that spreads rapidly on the internet, often with slight variations, and typically for humorous or satirical purposes. In the video, memes are discussed as a significant part of online culture and a tool for political campaigns to connect with voters. The 'brat' theme associated with Kamala Harris has spawned numerous memes, contributing to her campaign's visibility and appeal.

💡Cultural Moment

A cultural moment refers to a period during which a particular trend, idea, or theme becomes prominent in society, influencing public discourse and behavior. The video discusses how the 'brat' theme has become a cultural moment, with Kamala Harris's campaign capitalizing on this to create a sense of excitement and relevance among voters.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity, in the context of the video, refers to the perceived genuineness or realness of a person or idea. The 'brat' theme is associated with authenticity because it embraces flaws and honesty, which resonates with younger voters who value sincerity in their political figures. The video suggests that Kamala Harris's association with the 'brat' theme is an attempt to convey authenticity.

💡Presidential Campaign

A presidential campaign refers to the efforts made by individuals running for the office of the President. In the video, the focus is on how Kamala Harris's campaign is leveraging the 'brat' theme and online culture to engage with voters, particularly the younger demographic, in a way that is innovative for a political campaign.

💡Social Media

Social media refers to online platforms that allow users to create and share content or participate in social networking. The video highlights the importance of social media in modern political campaigns, as it is a key platform for spreading memes, viral content, and engaging with younger voters. The 'brat' theme's popularity on social media is seen as a strategic move by Kamala Harris's campaign.

Highlights

Viral video referring to Kamala Harris as a 'brat' sparks discussion online.

Harris's campaign embraces the 'brat' label, rebranding its social media with a 'brat' theme.

The viral 'brat' trend began when singer-songwriter Charlie XCX posted 'Kamala is brat' on her X account.

Charlie XCX's new album 'Brat' released last month and has become a social media sensation.

The 'brat' meme has been widely shared on TikTok and other social platforms, associating Harris with this cultural moment.

Berkeley Professor Abigail DeKosnik explains that the 'brat' persona aligns with an underdog, bold, and authentic image.

Professor DeKosnik notes that Harris, unexpectedly rising as the Presidential nominee, fits the 'brat' persona.

The 'brat' meme is seen as a transformation from last summer's 'Barbie' meme, with 'brat' being more daring and less perfect.

The 'brat' girl, according to Charlie XCX, is unapologetic, making rude jokes, and embracing her flaws.

The 'brat' meme is significant for Harris's campaign as it represents authenticity and fearlessness.

Professor DeKosnik compares the redefinition of 'brat' to African-American Vernacular English turning 'bad' into 'good.'

'Brat' is now seen as brave, bold, and unafraid to be flawed, which aligns with Harris's public persona.

The campaign's use of the 'brat' meme signals Harris's willingness to embrace both her strengths and imperfections.

The 'brat' meme is expected to resonate with younger voters, given its cultural impact on social media.

Professor DeKosnik concludes that the 'brat' label is a positive and empowering statement, rather than a criticism of Harris.

Transcripts

you think you just fell out of a coconut

tree you insist in the context of all in

which you live and what came before you

that is one of many videos posted online

over the last few days referring to

likely Democratic Presidential nominee

kamla Harris it refers to her as a quote

brat so how did this viral sensation

begin and why is her campaign embracing

it let's explain shortly after President

Biden endorsed his vice president on

Sunday singer songwriter Charlie XCX

appeared to do the same she posted quote

kamla is brat on her ex account brat

being the name of her new newly released

album just last month not long after

that Harris's campaign sought to

capitalize upon the show of support from

the Superstar rebranding its social

media sites to adopt a brat theme since

then bratty messages and memes have been

flooding the internet Abigail dnik is

here to explain all of this she is an

associate professor for the Berkeley

Center for New Media at the University

of Califoria

Berkeley uh great to have you with us

Professor what is the power and the

impact of having this online culture

especially especially the brat idea from

Charlie XCX come into a presidential

campaign well I think Charlie XCX did

the Harris campaign a tremendous favor

by um making the meme of the summer and

the fall uh the same night that Harris

was essentially promoted to the

presidential nominee um Charlie XX brat

is an incredible album um released last

month it is uh all over Tik Tok uh it

has swept through social media platforms

young people are using it as the

backdrop as the soundtrack for a lot of

different memes but now it is kamla

Harris's meme now that campaign owns the

brat Meme and that's great for that

campaign um because millions or tens of

millions or hundred hundreds of millions

of young voters are going to um

associate kamla Harris with um one of

the most electrifying cultural moments

that's happening right now which is

brat so why is brat so influential this

summer as a cultural idea uh and how is

it breaking through in ways you've

detected as an

academic well you know um I think brat

is possibly a great uh transformation

and sequel to the Barbie memes that took

over last summer brat is green Barbie

was pink and Barbie is kind of a very

respectable uh very put together woman

um the Barbie figure is um you know un

is unquestionable in her beauty her um

appropriateness and the brat girl is

totally different than that the brat

girl as Charlie XCX has said is sort of

you know falling down at the party

making the rude comment um cracking the

bad jokes not all the way put together

but there's something about the brat

girl that is endearing because of that

and that's fearless and the brat girl is

brave enough to say what she thinks is

honest owns uh all the parts of herself

including all her flaws and there's

something about that come from behind

underdog unexpect winner spirit that is

the BRAT girl and I think that kamla

Harris coming into the Presidential

nominee a bit unexpectedly um feeling

sort of almost last minut because the

convention is so soon is a great match

for the brat girl image and finally when

I first heard about this I'd heard about

Charlie XCX and her album but I hesitate

as a reporter to call any political

figure a brat because knowing the

definition of the word but it seems

based on your academic analysis that

this is actually a reference and an

illusion to perceived authenticity

versus any kind of statement about the

character of the political

figure exactly it's a

transformation um just as um you know uh

African-American vernacular English

turned the word bad into good um

similarly brat means brave brat means

out there and claiming it brat means

standing in your power um brat also

means importantly for the haris campaign

um yes I'm flawed yes I'm um I've got

parts of me that are not beautiful that

are not correct that are not all the way

put together um and go ahead and come

for me I'm ready for it I can take it so

it's that outspokenness it's that

courage it's that willingness to be

completely yourself that is brat and

that is uh k

Harris President Jimmy Carter once stood

arm in-arm with the Almond Brothers Band

and political figures like the Grateful

Dead have been there for President

Clinton and others in the past now we

have Charlie XCX with vice president

Harris Abigail dnik thank you for your

time we appreciate it