Eric Adams was elected Mayor of New York City to replace Bill DiBlasio. He came to the position with high hopes of the people of the Big Apple and around the country. The hope was that Adams was the man to bring the city back to its status as the hub of the universe.
He is two months into his four-year term, and some have buyer’s remorse. It appears to be a short honeymoon.
Adams served as an officer in the New York City Transit Police and then the New York City Police Department for over 20 years, retiring at the rank of captain. He served in the New York State Senate from 2006 to 2013, representing the 20th Senate district in Brooklyn. In November 2013, Adams was elected Brooklyn Borough President. He was reelected in November 2017 and was the first African American to hold the position.
That resume earned Adams the support of the voters of New York City. Nepotism, unfortunately, crept into his administration early as he hired his brother, also a former officer, as his protection detail. His brother will make $210,000 a year in his new position. “I need someone that I trust around me during these times for my security,” Adams said. “And I trust my brother deeply.”
He was blasted late last week for choosing Philip Banks III as deputy mayor for public safety. Banks, a former New York Police Department chief, was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal bribery probe. These are not the moves of someone who wants to show a clean administration to serve the city’s people.
Adams uses a Vegan diet and believes he should work to convert as many as possible to the lifestyle. He did not endear many as he mandated school meals on Fridays in the city’s public schools would be Vegan. Many question whether this is the role of a Mayor.
This week, Adams showed his frustration on reporting his performance by the media. Unfortunately, his criticism was not so much with the content of the writings but the color of the reporters. The Mayor pulled the Race Card early and sounded very shallow when he went down that road during a press conference. This scene was almost identical to that of Mayor Lightfoot of Chicago when she said she would only answer questions from reporters of color.
What is amazing about both of them is that the people of their respective cities elected them. People of all colors, races, religions cast their votes to put a Black man and woman in charge of their city only to yell racism when hit with criticism. Instead of listening to the critique, learning from it if warranted, they both call foul. They both act as if they are infallible. Their performance on the job tells a different story.
We have made such incredible strides to heal the racial divide in this country. Men and women are in prominent positions, including members of Congress, our current Vice President, and a former President, but it is not enough. People like Adams and Lightfoot feel a need to use the charge of racism to their advantage when it is a detriment to their stature.
The shame is when people get a chance, fall short and blame racism.
This tactic is lazy and shallow. Get the opportunity, seize the moment, succeed, or resign and move on. Please don’t blame it on others. Take personal responsibility and if you cannot produce, then get out of the way and make room for those more qualified.
Ray Also Writes at The Liberty Loft.com (lightly edited for GraniteGrok.com)
