'I’m Speaking': Kamala Harris’ Viral Debate Moment

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Morning Banter

It was the phrase heard ‘round the Twittersphere: “I’m speaking.”

California Senator Kamala Harris garnered praise on social media Wednesday night after repeatedly reminding Vice President Mike Pence to stop interrupting her during the vice presidential debate.

“Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking. I’m speaking,” Harris said early in the night as she discussed the Trump administration’s failure to provide the American public with critical information about the pandemic.

Later in the evening, she again stated, “Excuse me, I’m still speaking.”

By the end of the debate, “I’m speaking” was trending on Twitter with women sharing their experiences with mansplaining—the explanation of something by a man, typically to a woman, in a patronizing manner—and dealing with male colleagues who talk over them.

“In mixed gender groups, men almost always talk and butt in significantly more, then accuse women of filibustering and interrupting,” tweeted attorney Lisa Bloom. 

“I’d like to shout out my fellow women in male-dominated fields. You know what it’s like to say 'I’m speaking' when a man interrupts you,” tweeted Philadelphia sports anchor Alexa Ross.

Pence interrupted Harris twice as many times as she did him, according to a CBS News tally of the debate, sparking criticism from women who have dealt with similar experiences in the office.

As one Twitter user wrote: “Kamala Harris is currently harnessing the collective energy of every woman who's ever been talked over, or talked down to, in a meeting.”

Send me an email at rumoh@forbes.com.

Quiz Yourself

Pence spoke for 38 minutes at the 2020 vice presidential debate. Harris spoke for __ minutes.

A) 20
B) 25
C) 30
D) 35

(Answer located at the bottom of this newsletter.)

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Quiz Answer: (D) Pence spoke 38 minutes to Harris' 35 minutes at the vice presidential debate, according to a CBS News tally.