Zohran Mamdani, a mayoral candidate in New York, has faced backlash from some Black residents for identifying as African American on his college application despite being of Asian Indian descent. Critics, including an 86-year-old Harlem resident, have called him a "trickster" and a "fraud," highlighting dissatisfaction with his attempts to gain support from the Black community. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a US citizen in 2018, stated he does not identify as black. The controversy revolves around authenticity and the implications of identity in political representation.
An 86-year-old Harlem resident expressed her strong disapproval of Zohran Mamdani, a socialist claiming African American identity, asserting "you can look at him and see he's not black." She characterized him as a "trickster" and criticized his attempt to appeal to black voters, emphasizing her distrust and dissatisfaction with his candidacy.
Another local resident called Mamdani a "fraud" due to his foreign origins, stating, "He's a foreigner. He ain't no African American". This sentiment reflects a broader concern among some black residents regarding authenticity in political representation and identity.
Joshua from the Bronx voiced his disapproval with bluntness, labeling Mamdani a "liar" and rejecting his claims of black identity to win votes, stating, "We black. We ain't stupid." Such sentiments underline a call for more genuine representation from elected officials.
Mamdani checked the 'black or African American' box on his college application but clarified he does not identify as black or African American, describing himself instead as "an American who was born in Africa." His application sparked controversy about identity and intentions in seeking admissions benefits.
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