President Joe Biden's recent announcement that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris has set off a flurry of activity within the Democratic Party.
This unexpected decision has not only reshaped the political landscape and left out nation in uncharted waters... but it has also sparked a resurgence of memes about coconut trees.
Yes, they don't make presidential elections like they used to.
Following Biden's announcement, social media has been flooded with hundreds of "coconut tree" memes in relation to Kamala Harris possibly becoming the next presidential nominee for the Democrat party.
Here are some of our favorites:
So, what is the Kamala Harris Coconut Tree meme all about?
The origins of the coconut tree meme trace all the way back to May 10, 2023.
On that day, Vice President Harris gave a speech at a swearing-in ceremony for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics.
During her address, Harris emphasized the importance of recognizing the broader context in which individuals operate, arguing that true equity goes beyond mere equality.
Harris articulated this point by sharing a personal anecdote from her mother. "None of us just live in a silo. Everything is in context," Harris said. "My mother used to — she would give us a hard time sometimes — and she would say to us, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?’"
This vivid metaphor was meant to underscore that individuals are shaped by their backgrounds and environments, which significantly impact their opportunities and experiences.
"You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you," Harris added.
The coconut tree reference was initially delivered with humor but carried a profound message.
Harris used it to illustrate that equity requires a deep understanding of the varying starting points of different people. "If you're giving everybody an equal amount but they're starting out on different bases, are they really going to have the opportunity to compete and achieve?” she asked.
Nevertheless, although we're sure Harris wanted the quote to be revered like those of famous philosophers, it was quickly turned into a cheeky soundbite and used in more than 18,000 TikTok videos.
It was yet another of Harris' lines that resonated with her younger supporters (who have now become known as the "KHive").
The meme’s reemergence coincides with Harris’s new position as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming election, providing a humorous backdrop to her evolving campaign.
In response to Biden’s endorsement, Harris's campaign has embraced the meme, using it to highlight their message of providing context and understanding the complexities of individuals' circumstances.
The campaign’s official rapid response X page - Kamala HQ - now includes a nod to the meme, emphasizing the importance of context in their political strategy.
The White House has also been proactive in addressing educational and economic disparities, particularly for Latino communities.
Last week, a fact sheet was released detailing new measures to advance educational equity and economic opportunity, including the establishment of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
You've got to feel sorry for all those presidential elections that didn't have memes. What a time to be alive!
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