The NYT's shameful smear of Zohran Mamdani and whitewashing of a racist, eugenicist source is the latest example of the establishment's nervous breakdown over the next mayor of NYC.
And also I think because the Times is a corporation owned by huge corporations, they’re freaked out that a socialist might make them pay another couple thousand dollars in taxes. I don’t understand why the rich are so obsessed with not paying taxes. It’s not going to affect their luxury lifestyles. I’ve heard widely disparate numbers for how much the highest bracket will save under the BBB, but it’s usually like $12k. Seriously? They desperately need that money to make ends meet on their multimillions?
It was never about the money up front; it was always about power to hurt people as desired on a whim, to effectively own the populace as a slave/livestock pool. The ultimate ends for the plutocratic in right is to get away with treating everyone who isn't wealthy like machines valued only for their capacity to make them money... and to make them feel powerful. Humanity and empathy aren't even on their map.
What is with our nation that we focus SO MUCH on smearing people's ethnicity and identity while missing the core of who they are and what they stand for? I grew up in a neighborhood like this many years ago. If the KKKlan had taken root in that northern city, it would have been in my neighborhood. My mother told me to open my eyes and ears and decide for myself whether their behavior was "right or wrong." I remember asking, when I was a preteen, about the slurs that neighbors used. Even as a child, I could not understand why my neighbors felt like they had to say generalizing, hateful, racist things about other people, solely based on skin color and place of birth. Over the years, I saw general improvements (at least forward moment) of acceptance, or at the very least, tolerance for others, with some steps forward and steps back...until now. We are time-warping backwards to the 1800s. MY "lily white" family lived out its beliefs and values, because our family now includes Black, Latino and Asian family members. We are ALL PEOPLE, HUMANS, GOD'S CHILDREN! Many people love rainbows, because of the diversity of color. WHY do we allow differences in the color of our skin to divide us? For the life of me, I will NEVER understand.
This country's vast economic success was built on the exploitation of Indigenous people's land and African people's enslaved labor. White supremacist bigotry goes hand in hand with garnering and protecting economic advantages based upon race. Racism is not merely having negative individual attitudes toward people of color. It is systemic and integral to how every facet of this country's political economy functions.
Thank you Wajat and Qasim for this excellent live and the reminder to fight for democracy locally. Sorry, I follow you but can no longer be a paid subscriber - I'm supporting independent journalists here in Canada. I respect your intelligent and courageous (and humorous!) voices for justice and truth. Keep up the great work.
I went to a protest at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, and there was hardly anyone there. When talking to one of the Supreme Court police, they told me and my husband the building was open for visitors. Great educational exhibits and a lecture by a sharp, witty docent in the court itself. In the friezes around the top of the court chambers, carved sculptures of famous people. You know who’s up there besides the others? Mohammad and Confucius looking down on every session. We better not tell Stephen Miller. Thanks Waj and Qasim. I like these impromptu talks!
I ditched them simultaneously. I watched them get worse even under Trump's first term. The final straw was when Bezos refused to back a Presidential candidate.
Does the NYT have a reputation left that can be tarnished? From the obscene pandering to Trump to the failure to follow up on the decent investigative reporting it did after 10/7 about the failures of the Israeli government to this and too much more.
It’s the law. You can legally check every box that applies to you. Oh great! Now I just looked up Jorden Lasker and read he is associated with Texas Tech. That is my home territory. He does not represent the best of us. Do you know how hard it is to rear descent children when some of academia hold such ignorant views?
Speak to the fields of fruits and vegetables waiting for migrant harvesters that ICE might remove. If this happens we all should be prepared for shortages.
I didn't read the NYT article because I refuse to give them a penny and they're not worth reading anyway. But I did do a little research on Wikipedia about Mamdani's background about a week ago, wanting to know more about his parents and found his mom is Punjabi Hindu and his dad is Gujarati Muslim. They are post-colonialists--his dad emigrated to Uganda and his parents met there. Further research--Uganda confers citizenship by birth, registration, and naturalization. So presumably Mamdani is African by birth. What is the problem? Folks better get used to this. More and more people are post-colonialists. This is what happens when you colonize a country. That country eventually becomes independent, citizens move elsewhere or--more commonly--to the country that colonized it to begin with, and, voila, you have complicated identities. What is to smear him over? He's a naturalized American from Africa of Indian descent. This is not uncommon in Africa. Gandhi's two youngest children were born in South Africa. How many of our recent politicians have had similarly complex identities? Nikki Haley's parents also emigrated from the Punjab. Why is that not an issue for her? Because she's a Republican? Americans better get used to this. There are a lot of us post-colonialists around. I am not a citizen of the country of my birth because they confer citizenship based on a baby's father's nationality but I can claim citizenship in two other countries besides the US (though I don't). I don't even bother claiming my Middle Eastern birth place because Americans are too simple-minded. I don't want to addle pate them. The NYT didn't need to anonymously quote a racist eugenicist; they could have looked it up. They are theoretically journalists, after all.
I just finished Jared Yates Sexton's book on American masculinity. He thinks much of Trump's appeal is an attempt to turn back the clock, that White American males want their former privilege, identity, and entitlement back. But you cannot un-do the past. It will always be a part of this country's present and future. In any case, the one constant is change. Trump will be president for a short time. This period of reactionary activity is a blip in our national history. We will move on. He's almost 80, for heaven's sake.
The only reason American demonize Muslims is because they want to control Middle Eastern oil. Don't get your knickers in a twist. That ain't happening. Don't bite the bait. Stay steadfast. Keep your eyes on the goal line. Please.
FYI, most "Muslim extremists" were created and funded by the CIA.
The shylock deal is particularly egregious. It’s BLATANTLY OBVIOUS Trump is lying when he says he didn’t know about the anti-Jewish meaning of the word BECAUSE IT HAS NO OTHER MEANING.
It’s not like calling a German a kraut. Kraut has a meaning outside the anti-German insult - it’s an alternate name for sauerkraut. Not shylock - its ONLY meaning is slurring Jewish people as greedy and money-grubbing. There is no alternative definition.
Will anyone in the gutless media call him on it? I’m guessing not.
Thank you for enlightening us. I think to myself, what's not to like about Zohran? He's a smart, friendly guy with a great message. Why are people so hateful and afraid that someone means to take from them? Especially when they're giving it all up themselves to a bunch of rich people who just want to squeeze them dry and throw them away? I guess the rich thinks it hurts their bottom line if they have to pay a few dollars more in taxes so that people can have homes, or food, or clean water, or a decent retirement. The worst is that poor people are hating other poor people for having the things that they don't have either. Maybe all the poor people need to unite and march on the rich people (maybe trample their pocketbooks a little or a lot). God knows there's more of us than them!
Odd and disappointing they are not recommending more impactful and clever resistance techniques like for example a "week!" without immigrants; gathering groups of 15-20 constitutent neighbors to meet in person with thei Rep and Senator when they are back home, each well prepared with talking points, and accompanied by a member of the Press. If you can get that many consitutents,you can usually attract of Member of the press
And also I think because the Times is a corporation owned by huge corporations, they’re freaked out that a socialist might make them pay another couple thousand dollars in taxes. I don’t understand why the rich are so obsessed with not paying taxes. It’s not going to affect their luxury lifestyles. I’ve heard widely disparate numbers for how much the highest bracket will save under the BBB, but it’s usually like $12k. Seriously? They desperately need that money to make ends meet on their multimillions?
It was never about the money up front; it was always about power to hurt people as desired on a whim, to effectively own the populace as a slave/livestock pool. The ultimate ends for the plutocratic in right is to get away with treating everyone who isn't wealthy like machines valued only for their capacity to make them money... and to make them feel powerful. Humanity and empathy aren't even on their map.
One response.. FDR.. Zohran Mamdani.. democratic socialism works!!!
You are most welcome. Well written article about the current administration signing. Thank you so much for the information.
What is with our nation that we focus SO MUCH on smearing people's ethnicity and identity while missing the core of who they are and what they stand for? I grew up in a neighborhood like this many years ago. If the KKKlan had taken root in that northern city, it would have been in my neighborhood. My mother told me to open my eyes and ears and decide for myself whether their behavior was "right or wrong." I remember asking, when I was a preteen, about the slurs that neighbors used. Even as a child, I could not understand why my neighbors felt like they had to say generalizing, hateful, racist things about other people, solely based on skin color and place of birth. Over the years, I saw general improvements (at least forward moment) of acceptance, or at the very least, tolerance for others, with some steps forward and steps back...until now. We are time-warping backwards to the 1800s. MY "lily white" family lived out its beliefs and values, because our family now includes Black, Latino and Asian family members. We are ALL PEOPLE, HUMANS, GOD'S CHILDREN! Many people love rainbows, because of the diversity of color. WHY do we allow differences in the color of our skin to divide us? For the life of me, I will NEVER understand.
This country's vast economic success was built on the exploitation of Indigenous people's land and African people's enslaved labor. White supremacist bigotry goes hand in hand with garnering and protecting economic advantages based upon race. Racism is not merely having negative individual attitudes toward people of color. It is systemic and integral to how every facet of this country's political economy functions.
So well said. Thank you
THIS! Exactly this. Thank you for saying it, Ms. 👏🏿
Thank you Wajat and Qasim for this excellent live and the reminder to fight for democracy locally. Sorry, I follow you but can no longer be a paid subscriber - I'm supporting independent journalists here in Canada. I respect your intelligent and courageous (and humorous!) voices for justice and truth. Keep up the great work.
I went to a protest at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, and there was hardly anyone there. When talking to one of the Supreme Court police, they told me and my husband the building was open for visitors. Great educational exhibits and a lecture by a sharp, witty docent in the court itself. In the friezes around the top of the court chambers, carved sculptures of famous people. You know who’s up there besides the others? Mohammad and Confucius looking down on every session. We better not tell Stephen Miller. Thanks Waj and Qasim. I like these impromptu talks!
Is it now time for me to ditch my NYT subscription??? I think it may be!!!!!
I ditched both the NYT and WaPo; the Fourth Estate has become, how do I say this politely, a brothel.
I ditched them simultaneously. I watched them get worse even under Trump's first term. The final straw was when Bezos refused to back a Presidential candidate.
Does the NYT have a reputation left that can be tarnished? From the obscene pandering to Trump to the failure to follow up on the decent investigative reporting it did after 10/7 about the failures of the Israeli government to this and too much more.
I fear for him too. I want to raise $$$ for security
It’s the law. You can legally check every box that applies to you. Oh great! Now I just looked up Jorden Lasker and read he is associated with Texas Tech. That is my home territory. He does not represent the best of us. Do you know how hard it is to rear descent children when some of academia hold such ignorant views?
I feel for you. It's true on the extreme opposite end of the political spectrum as well.
Speak to the fields of fruits and vegetables waiting for migrant harvesters that ICE might remove. If this happens we all should be prepared for shortages.
I didn't read the NYT article because I refuse to give them a penny and they're not worth reading anyway. But I did do a little research on Wikipedia about Mamdani's background about a week ago, wanting to know more about his parents and found his mom is Punjabi Hindu and his dad is Gujarati Muslim. They are post-colonialists--his dad emigrated to Uganda and his parents met there. Further research--Uganda confers citizenship by birth, registration, and naturalization. So presumably Mamdani is African by birth. What is the problem? Folks better get used to this. More and more people are post-colonialists. This is what happens when you colonize a country. That country eventually becomes independent, citizens move elsewhere or--more commonly--to the country that colonized it to begin with, and, voila, you have complicated identities. What is to smear him over? He's a naturalized American from Africa of Indian descent. This is not uncommon in Africa. Gandhi's two youngest children were born in South Africa. How many of our recent politicians have had similarly complex identities? Nikki Haley's parents also emigrated from the Punjab. Why is that not an issue for her? Because she's a Republican? Americans better get used to this. There are a lot of us post-colonialists around. I am not a citizen of the country of my birth because they confer citizenship based on a baby's father's nationality but I can claim citizenship in two other countries besides the US (though I don't). I don't even bother claiming my Middle Eastern birth place because Americans are too simple-minded. I don't want to addle pate them. The NYT didn't need to anonymously quote a racist eugenicist; they could have looked it up. They are theoretically journalists, after all.
I just finished Jared Yates Sexton's book on American masculinity. He thinks much of Trump's appeal is an attempt to turn back the clock, that White American males want their former privilege, identity, and entitlement back. But you cannot un-do the past. It will always be a part of this country's present and future. In any case, the one constant is change. Trump will be president for a short time. This period of reactionary activity is a blip in our national history. We will move on. He's almost 80, for heaven's sake.
The only reason American demonize Muslims is because they want to control Middle Eastern oil. Don't get your knickers in a twist. That ain't happening. Don't bite the bait. Stay steadfast. Keep your eyes on the goal line. Please.
FYI, most "Muslim extremists" were created and funded by the CIA.
Thank you for relaying these talking points and reporting - Spot On - how can we help Mamdani to get protection….
I just donated here.
⬇️⬇️
https://linktr.ee/ZohranKMamdani
The shylock deal is particularly egregious. It’s BLATANTLY OBVIOUS Trump is lying when he says he didn’t know about the anti-Jewish meaning of the word BECAUSE IT HAS NO OTHER MEANING.
It’s not like calling a German a kraut. Kraut has a meaning outside the anti-German insult - it’s an alternate name for sauerkraut. Not shylock - its ONLY meaning is slurring Jewish people as greedy and money-grubbing. There is no alternative definition.
Will anyone in the gutless media call him on it? I’m guessing not.
Thank you for enlightening us. I think to myself, what's not to like about Zohran? He's a smart, friendly guy with a great message. Why are people so hateful and afraid that someone means to take from them? Especially when they're giving it all up themselves to a bunch of rich people who just want to squeeze them dry and throw them away? I guess the rich thinks it hurts their bottom line if they have to pay a few dollars more in taxes so that people can have homes, or food, or clean water, or a decent retirement. The worst is that poor people are hating other poor people for having the things that they don't have either. Maybe all the poor people need to unite and march on the rich people (maybe trample their pocketbooks a little or a lot). God knows there's more of us than them!
Odd and disappointing they are not recommending more impactful and clever resistance techniques like for example a "week!" without immigrants; gathering groups of 15-20 constitutent neighbors to meet in person with thei Rep and Senator when they are back home, each well prepared with talking points, and accompanied by a member of the Press. If you can get that many consitutents,you can usually attract of Member of the press