On Thursday, actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry delivered a powerful analogy on stage during Vice President Kamala Harris’ rally in Atlanta, Georgia, comparing the visions of America held by Harris and former President Donald Trump to a “quilt” and a “sheet.” Perry’s speech, a heartfelt reflection on unity and diversity, underscored his support for Harris’ message of inclusivity in a packed stadium where attendees also heard from former President Barack Obama and rock legend Bruce Springsteen, who performed “Land of Hope and Dreams.”
Perry, drawing from a personal memory, shared a story about a quilt his grandmother had once given him. “I just want to talk about that quilt that I used to wrap up in my car, the quilt that my grandmother gave me,” Perry began. Describing the quilt as a patchwork of “beautiful pieces,” he explained how he initially overlooked its value. “I didn’t think it was worth anything, because she had made it from all of these stitches and gave it to me as a gift,” he said.
Years later, however, he saw a similar quilt displayed in an antique shop and realized the significance each piece held. “Each patch in that quilt was worth this, and meant this, because of the woman who made it,” he shared. Perry’s analogy then extended to his view of America, which he likened to his grandmother’s quilt. “When I think about America, I think about my grandmother’s quilt,” he explained told NBC News.
“We are all shapes, sizes, and colors, but we are one.” His voice resonated across the stadium as he emphasized his support for Harris’ vision of an America that celebrates unity in diversity. “It was so important for me to stand with a candidate who understands that we as Americans, are a quilt. And I could never stand with a candidate who wants America to be a sheet,” Perry said, drawing a clear distinction between the values represented by Harris and Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump held a rally in Tempe, Arizona, promoting a starkly different message to his supporters. Echoing anti-immigrant rhetoric, he depicted America as a “dumping ground” overrun with migrants. “They unleashed an army of migrant gangs waging a campaign of violence,” Trump stated. “We’re a dumping ground. We’re like a garbage can for the world.” His message, in contrast to Perry’s inclusive analogy, underscored his views on immigration as a major point of concern for his campaign.
Perry’s quilt metaphor highlighted the contrasting visions for America that both Harris and Trump represent, drawing a vivid picture of an inclusive, diverse nation versus a more divided and insular outlook. The rally, infused with celebrity appearances and messages of hope and unity, presented Harris’ campaign as one aiming to bridge divisions through diversity. The rally’s star-studded line-up, including Obama’s and Springsteen’s performances, emphasized the campaign’s commitment to a vision of America where differences are valued as strengths rather than sources of conflict.
As the election season intensifies, Perry’s heartfelt comparison of America to his grandmother’s quilt left a lasting impression on the rally’s attendees, reinforcing a vision of unity that has become central to Harris’ campaign. His closing words and the symbolism of a quilt stitched together by varied, unique pieces reflect a vision of a country strengthened by its diversity—a vision he believes is essential for America’s future.