Opinion | The double standard for Harris and Trump has reached a breaking point – One candidate can rant about gibberish while the other has to be perfect.

The double standard for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has reached a breaking point in the political landscape that we can no longer ignore. It is absolutely infuriating to witness how one candidate can spout nonsense with impunity while the other is scrutinized at every turn. We live in a world where Trump can ramble about gibberish, make outlandish statements, and yet somehow evade any real consequences, while Harris sits in the crosshairs of a media narrative that insists she must be flawless.

I’ve become exhausted by this constant comparison, as if we are living in two parallel universes. Trump has built his entire political persona on being lawless and flouting norms, and yet he is celebrated by a segment of the population that seems to thrive on chaos and absurdity. It’s as if there is an unwritten rule that he gets a free pass for his myriad of offenses, while Harris, who has the credentials and experience, must defend every syllable that leaves her mouth. For Harris, it’s not just about performing well; it feels like she has to be perfect to even be considered worthy of her position. This is downright embarrassing.

The scrutiny placed on Harris is unlike what any of her male, especially white male, counterparts would ever face. Numerous narratives have been pushed: that she is unlikable, unqualified, and lacks depth in her policy proposals. Each time those narratives are debunked, a new one emerges, while Trump stumbles through incoherent thoughts, leaving behind a trail of nonsensical comments that distract from real issues, and yet his supporters eat it up. His supporters find meaning in the garbled proclamations about potatoes, cow emissions, and high-profile criminals, while they disregard the comprehensive policy discussions that Harris attempts to present. We are confronted with people who are more enchanted by absurdity than by clarity and substance.

Harris’s accomplishments are extensive; she is a well-educated public servant and vice president. Yet, instead of being celebrated for her qualifications, she is continuously met with skepticism. This double standard is not merely a political issue; it’s one steeped in systemic racism and misogyny. The pressure on a woman of color to be twice as good as her white male counterparts is a narrative that is all too familiar. It exemplifies the notion of “Silent Privilege,” where standards change dramatically based on race and gender. This is why, despite the incompetence displayed by Trump—who is a convicted felon and often speaks like a caricature of himself—there are still voices in media and politics that downplay his behavior and amplify any perceived mistakes made by Harris.

Even the media has to take a long, hard look at its role in this narrative. Reports are often slanted with a “both sides” approach, treating Trump’s outrageousness as entertainment while Harris is held to an impossible standard. There is a glaring hypocrisy here, as Trump can dance around controversial figures and express extremist views without facing the same backlash that Harris would experience if she mispronounced a word or faltered in an interview. It is exasperating to see how narratives are shaped to benefit one over the other, based solely on race and gender.

This discrepancy is evident in how the media covers each candidate. Harris’s policy proposals are sidelined or criticized for lacking detail, while Trump’s ramblings about military action and past scandals get brushed off as antics that he will eventually “make right.” The inherent racism and sexism at play are undeniable, creating an environment where voters feel justified in dismissing a capable candidate based on trivialities while glorifying a walking disaster.

I am continually frustrated by a system that allows this double standard to persist. It seems we are far from overcoming the biases that have plagued our political landscape for too long. Harris, while attempting to present herself in the best light possible, is constantly met with derision for minor stumbles. Meanwhile, Trump’s destructive behavior and poor leadership are often excused with flair, creating an imbalance that is infuriating to witness.

This moment should serve as a wake-up call to all of us. If Harris loses in the upcoming election, it won’t just be a defeat; it will be a testament to how far we have yet to go in addressing the ingrained prejudices that dictate the rules of political engagement. We cannot allow these double standards to define our political landscape any longer. It’s time to confront the absurdity and advocate for a system where all candidates are held to the same standard, based on their merits rather than their identities. It’s past time for this to change.