Those who turned out for Mamdani, shook off the fear of voting for a democratic socialist, and engaged with him about affordability and the right to be. The citizens and Mamdani witnessed neighbors dragged out of their homes, places of employment, and cars by men in masks. Both Mamdani and his would-be-constituents said no to troops and ICE in neighborhoods where their children are afraid to play on streets. Where parents fear deportation.
Khong! Seko! Naa! Non!
The residents of New York City shouted back to Mamdani that it matters that neighbors care. It matters that we turn from cruel policies. On the day the former VP Dick Chaney died, Mamdani proclaimed a new day in America, one in which the dark side would be replaced with hope.
We chose hope togetherhope over tyranny, hope over big money and small ideas, hope over despair. New York and this politician want to see a city working class people can love and live in again. Light of the forgotten will shine, overwhelming the dark side that has continued to resurface as backlash to progressive steps toward freedom.
This was a moment for me, a Black woman, an American citizen, hoping that this is the moment weve been waiting for. The American people want freedom from the supremacy of a myth of whiteness that always had at its core the violence of a cruel ruler and the brutal submission of the majority.
For a brief moment, when Mamdani arrived at the podium to deliver his acceptance speech, I thought I saw a glimpse of Dr. Martin L. King, just behind the young man, to his right.
Dr. King was smiling.
And why not? Something has awakened in the poor and the working class, Blacks, Latino/as, Indigenous, Asian, Muslim. What is it if not the spirit of resistance to a would-be-dictator and his cronies.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Post Article Comment and Rate This Article
