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Vice President Kamala Harris Descends from Notorious Jamaican Slave Owner

Recent revelations have surfaced regarding Kamala Harris’ ancestral ties to slavery, specifically linking her to an Irish slave owner in Jamaica. This connection centers around her paternal great-grandmother, Christiana Brown, who is believed to be a descendant of Hamilton Brown, a prominent figure in Jamaica’s history.

Hamilton Brown: The Ancestral Link

Hamilton Brown, born in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, in 1776, moved to Jamaica as a teenager. He became a sugar plantation owner and was known for his opposition to the abolition of slavery. Historical records indicate that he owned at least 124 slaves in 1817 and 121 in 1826. His legacy includes founding Brown’s Town in Jamaica, a detail noted by Harris’ father, Donald Harris, in a 2019 article for the Jamaica Globe.

Historian Stephen McCracken described Hamilton Brown as a “notorious figure,” emphasizing his active role in protesting against the abolition of slavery. He was compensated £24,144 under the Slave Compensation Act of 1837, a payment made to slave owners following the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

Public Response and Harris’ Silence

Despite the emergence of these historical connections, Kamala Harris has not publicly addressed her family’s links to Hamilton Brown. This silence comes amidst her political career, where she has been a vocal advocate for social justice and equality. The implications of her ancestry have sparked discussions about the complexities of heritage and the legacies of slavery in contemporary politics.

As the first female Vice President of the United States and a candidate for re-election in 2024, Harris’ background is scrutinized in the context of her policies and public statements regarding race and justice. The revelations about her ancestry add a layer of complexity to her narrative as a leader committed to addressing historical injustices.

The discovery of Kamala Harris’ ancestral ties to an Irish slave owner raises important questions about heritage, accountability, and the historical context of slavery. As discussions continue, the focus remains on how these revelations will influence her political journey and the broader conversation about race and justice in America.

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