Please excuse the ignorance of a non-USA.

In all other USA elections, I’ve noticed that the candidates are referred to by their last names. Harris, however, is referred to as Kamala by both the opposing party (which make sense, if the idea was to disrespect) as well as by her own party (which confounds me). Why is Harris different?

Am I the one being disrespectful by referring to her by her last name (am I the one in the wrong)? If so, I’ll start (kind of late, I’m gathering) referring to her by her first name.

It’s been bothering me each time I see something about “Trump vs. Kamala”. I finally broke down and asked.

Edit: thanks everyone! I’m glad I wasn’t offensive :) and your explanations make sense. I will continue to use last names, since I find it more respectful, (but still don’t hold first name usage against anyone who chooses to haha) until asked otherwise.

  • tal@lemmy.todayEnglish
    2·
    17 days ago

    I called Hillary “Hillary”, but that’s to distinguish her from Bill Clinton, who I called “Clinton”.

    Honestly, you have to be a very commonly-used name before I’m going to use a single name for general purposes at all rather than a full name, so the set of people who have the chance to get into the “one name club” is very small.