Black New Yorkers are upset about Mamdani’s ‘African American’ statement.

Reactions to Zoran Mamdani’s Identity Claims

Residents in New York City, particularly in predominantly Black neighborhoods, are expressing skepticism regarding mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani’s assertions about his racial identity. On Friday, many voiced their concerns over his claims of being African-American, labeling him a “fraud” and a “trickster.”

An 86-year-old resident from Harlem remarked, “He’s just trying to get by.” This sentiment reflects a broader atmosphere of distrust. Mamdani, who identifies as Asian Indian and is a socialist, attempted to connect with the community but faced backlash.

“You can look at him and know he’s not,” she added bluntly. “I’ve never liked him. You can see he’s a trickster.” Despite his recent primary success, Mamdani struggled to resonate with Black voters.

Another local, who wished to remain anonymous, stated candidly, “He’s a scam. He’s not African-American.” Born in Uganda and naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2018, people are questioning his eligibility to claim that identity.

Joshua from the Bronx said, “He’s a liar. Point blank. We don’t need a mayor who lies about his race just to win votes.” Acknowledging that the community is not deceived, he stressed, “We are Black. We’re not stupid.”

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, previously identified himself as both “Black or African American” and “Asian” on his Columbia University application, which has raised eyebrows. The university’s affirmative action policies apparently influenced his decision. While he did not gain admission, he later told The Times he does not see himself as African-American, but rather as “an American born in Africa.”

When asked by a street performer about his identity, he acknowledged that claiming to be African-American was indeed “misleading.”

Many Bronx residents expressed their disappointment, with 37-year-old Maria R. saying, “I always sensed something was off. Why claim something that isn’t yours? That could take opportunities away from others.”

“He can look in the mirror and see he’s not Black,” another local emphasized.

Tiffany Francis, 31, who relocated to Harlem from Brooklyn, echoed this sentiment. She asserted, “People should just be truthful. Don’t lie to maneuver through life.”

In contrast, some residents, like 22-year-old Temisan Baznu from Nigeria, voiced support for Mamdani, saying, “I think it’s great he’s from Uganda. If he wins, he could be a great mayor.”

Baznu added that he doesn’t view Mamdani as dishonest. Michelle Hart, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, shared her understanding of Mamdani’s choices on the application, suggesting that individuals often face similar dilemmas when filling out forms.