Celebs Join #MyNameIs After GOP Senator Mocks Kamala Harris

published 18 October 2020

The hashtag #MyNameIs is trending on Twitter in response to a viral video featuring GOP Senator David Perdue mocking the pronunciation of vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris' name.
"Kamala or Kamala-mala-mala-mala, I don’t know. Whatever," Perdue says in the clip, which was filmed at a Trump rally in Georgia.
Several celebrities have joined in on the movement, taking to Twitter to share the origins and meanings behind their names in solidarity.

Celebrities are coming together to share the meanings and origins behind their names as part of the #MyNameIs hashtag on Twitter. The movement started after a video of GOP Senator David Perdue openly mocking vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ name went viral recently.

"Kamala or Kamala-mala-mala-mala, I don’t know. Whatever," Perdue says during the video, filmed at a Trump rally in Georgia.

Jon Ossoff, who is currently running against Perdue to represent Georgia in the Senate, took to Twitter to decry the comments.

"My opponent, GOP Sen. David Perdue of anti-Semitic attack ad infamy, just mocked Sen. Harris' name as 'Kamala-mala-mala-whatever' at a Trump rally," he tweeted along with a clip of the moment. "We are so much better than this."

My opponent, GOP Sen. David Perdue of anti-Semitic attack ad infamy, just mocked Sen. Harris' name as "Kamala-mala-mala-whatever" at a Trump rally.We are so much better than this. pic.twitter.com/9AvoQK4RdNOctober 16, 2020

In the wake of the video going viral, the #MyNameIs trend took off on Twitter as people shared the stories behind their own names in solidarity with Harris. Here are some of the celebrities who have joined in on the movement.

Daniel Dae Kim

#MyNameIs Daniel Dae Hyun Kim, or in Korean, 김대현. It means “great and powerful one.” My name is not “Macaca” or “Kung Flu.” And @sendavidperdue, her name is not “Kamala Mala Mala I Don’t Know Whatever.” #Respect. One more reason to vote for @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris.October 18, 2020

Kal Penn

#MyNameIs Kalpen. I started going by Kal Penn to help me get a job & am more than happy to give @SenDavidPerdue some tips on finding a new one of his own. https://t.co/Jeaizw4k2zOctober 18, 2020

Debra Messing

#MyNameIs Debra. My family comes from Poland and Russia. I stand with #Kamala.#Georgia #DavidPerdue is a DISGRACE. #Vote for @ossoff . https://t.co/q018A7vTtwOctober 17, 2020

Lea Thompson

.#MyNameIs Lea Thompson. It's pronounced LEE Ah. My mom spelled it that way because my dad was stationed in Pearl Harbor. It is a Hawaiian spelling she said. My mother had respect, not contempt for other cultures. So please join me in voting for #BidenHarris2020 #IWillVoteOctober 18, 2020

Michelle Kwan

#MyNameIs Michelle Wing Kwan & in Chinese pinyin it's pronounced Guan Ying Shan. It means beautiful, strong and smart. What's not beautiful, strong or smart is mocking ppl for their 'foreign sounding' names. Join me in voting for @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris instead #IwillvoteOctober 17, 2020

Patton Oswalt

#MyNameIs Patton. It’s an English name that means “fighter’s town,” which makes no sense. It can also mean “Son of Patrick.” My dad’s name is Larry.October 18, 2020

Billy Baldwin

#MyNameIs Billy… just Billy.I’m an Irish mutt who grew up on Long Island.Get ready for the Scranton knuckle sandwich that’s coming on Election Day @PerdueSenateYour allegiance to Trump is gonna cause a bloodbath at the ballot box that will be felt for generations to come.October 17, 2020

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

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