The internet had a grand ole time during the vice presidential debate, falling in love with a fly and criticizing moderator Susan Page for allowing Vice President Mike Pence to repeatedly cut off and ramble over Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
One of the most notable parts of the debate ended up being Harris' facial expressions as Pence dodged questions or answered queries that were never even asked.
The two candidates went at it at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City as Page, the controversial Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today, peppered both with questions about abortion, climate change and other issues.
But despite the issues covered, most of the internet conversation centered on Harris' reactions to Pence.
Kamala's facial expressions deserve their own honorable mention #VPDebate
— Ameshia Cross (@AmeshiaCross) October 8, 2020
The range of reactions had most of Black Twitter reminded of themselves or their family.
VP Kamala Harris' face is every Black mom when she know you LYING
Pence in danger… pic.twitter.com/rRehnTf5Kn
— Megan Ming Francis (@meganfrancis) October 8, 2020
I’m an 8. Been seen doing 12. And I see my mama doing 3 or 6, the crazy Black lady smile, I know somebody is in danger. pic.twitter.com/W0ifDjvVK6
— Brittney Cooper (@ProfessorCrunk) October 8, 2020
Dozens of people noted that some of the faces Harris made reminded them of the women in their lives.
this is the hand clasp my mom used to do when she tried to help me with my math homework when I was a kid #VPDebate
pic.twitter.com/T2jFKVMu5P— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 8, 2020
— David Carlisle (@d_carlisle12) October 8, 2020
The range of reactions, from smiling to scowling, were the highlight of the evening.
Kamala's face—I am screaming right now pic.twitter.com/QiKbhdwUR3
— Stefan Smith (@TheStefanSmith) October 8, 2020
Many people hilariously compared the most remembered reaction to other commonly used memes.
same energy #VPDebate
pic.twitter.com/g7PinUZoHH— alex (@alex_abads) October 8, 2020
Tonight is about body language #VPDebate
https://t.co/E3GBnYDMoI
pic.twitter.com/VL5jAfadco— Luis Velarde (@luivelarde) October 8, 2020
The GIFs of Harris' reactions are sure to become widely used.
Kamala facial expressions are taking me OUT #VPDebate
pic.twitter.com/c53Hv5GOwH— Drebae (@Drebae_) October 8, 2020
Some of the best reactions were the comparisons of Harris reactions to other memes.
*Mike Pence speaks*
Kamala Harris:#VPDebate
pic.twitter.com/oMTdJxk5mm— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) October 8, 2020
An example of “my face will say it before my mouth do” #VPDebate
pic.twitter.com/o7PBeVwwrO— Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) October 8, 2020
KAMALA EXPRESSIONS
1 – Really Bitch?
2 – I Let You Speak!
3 – You Got One Mo Time!
4 – I Know You Ain’t Coming For Me!
5 – Are You Moderating Or What?
6 – I Said What I Said
7 – This Idiot Right Here!
8 – Who Gonna Check Me Boo?
9 – Ya’ll Finished Or Are Ya’ll Done? #imspeaking
pic.twitter.com/8NVhSPiwIw— ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? (@PharoahONYX) October 8, 2020
Kamala is giving strong muthafucka please vibes
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 8, 2020
????MR VICE PRESIDENT IM SPEAKING! IF YOU DONT MIND LETTING ME FINISH, WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION!!!
– signed by women everywhere #VPDebate
— Jessica Fyre????✨ (@TheJessieWoo) October 8, 2020
Harris was criticized for some of her answers and many on conservative news outlets slammed her for her facial expressions. President Donald Trump appeared on Fox News on Thursday morning and called her a "monster."
But thousands of women took to Twitter to note that Pence's insistence on cutting her off was emblematic of what they face on a daily basis with men in the workplace.
HuffPost's Marina Fang noted that the criticism Harris was facing for being "unlikeable" by a large segment of the press was something women, particularly Black women, constantly have to deal with.
"For many women and women of color, it was all too eerily familiar. Harris endured Pence’s gaslighting, interrupting and mansplaining, all while being hyperaware that her every move was being scrutinized," Fang wrote.
"She had to perform the impossible gymnastics of being assertive and direct — without seeming too 'aggressive' or 'bitchy' or 'unlikeable' — and showing emotion — without seeming too 'hysterical' or 'weak' or 'shrill,'" she added.
