The term “brat” has been in the news lately, courtesy of pop star Charli XCX and her endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. But what does it mean to be a ‘brat’?
The meaning of ‘Brat’
By definition, Merriam-Webster defines ‘brat’ as a derogatory term for a child, meaning either an “ill-mannered annoying child” or “an ill-mannered immature person.” Cambridge defines it as “a child who behaves badly or one you do not like”.
However, Charli XCX has lent a new meaning to this term with her brand-new album “Brat” and the lifestyle that comes along with it, “brat summer.” As she explained, to her, a “brat” could be someone who might be “a bit messy and loves to party and might say some silly things occasionally,” but who also can have fun and cry when appropriate.
Charli XCX’s endorsement of Kamala Harris
Charli XCX has joined a slew of celebrities and institutions in endorsing the current VP Kamala Harris, who has now become the front-runner for the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden announced he would not run for reelection.
In a tweet, Charli XCX proclaimed, “Kamala IS brat”, meaning her album and all of the fun, reckless behavior that comes with it. Harris’s campaign latched onto the endorsement, changing its header to match Charli’s signature lime green branding.
Though it’s difficult to picture 59-year-old Harris taking on the careless, fun-loving “brat” personality, the endorsement could speak volumes to the young voters who have been jamming to Charli’s album and truly embracing their “brat summer”.
What the endorsement really means
An endorsement from Charli XCX for Kamala Harris comes at just the time Harris and possibly the Democratic Party needs it. Though President Biden is no longer in the presidential race, Harris has the challenge of securing the party nomination and, before Election Day, building momentum towards toward her presidential candidacy.
So now, an endorsement from Charli comes in very handy for Harris. She connects with the young voters who are disillusioned by the policies and decisions taken by Biden. The “brat” meme also overlaps with another viral moment of Harris asking, “You think you fell out of a coconut tree?”, adding to the relatability factor.
If Harris takes the nomination, it’s very easy to see how the “brat summer” movement evolves into a “brat autumn”, with the campaign continuing to embrace the meme culture and lifestyle attached to Charli’s album.
