Latest news with #Negroes'
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC Mayor Adams defends language criticized as racially insensitive, decries ‘lynch mob mentality'
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams, facing calls to resign amid controversy over the Trump DOJ's move to dismiss his federal corruption indictment, defended himself Monday against accusations he used racially insensitive language in recent comments about fellow Black politicians and said he's being targeted by a political 'lynch mob.' In a press conference at City Hall, the mayor was asked why he thought it was appropriate last week to label Black politicians who have urged him to resign 'Negroes' in need of saving from God. 'Well, those Negroes knew they were wrong,' Adams replied. The mayor, who made the remark in question at a Black History Month celebration at Gracie Mansion last Tuesday, suggested there's nothing offensive about the phrase. 'Why are we trying to classify the term Negro as being a derogatory term?' he said, noting there are organizations with names that include the term, such as the United Negro College Fund. Conversely, Adams said the outrage should actually be about the mounting calls for him to resign or be removed from office. 'Those who are elected in office who are aware of the rules are saying, 'He needs to be removed, he needs to step down' — that's what we should be angry about,' he said. 'Where is the process that we're supposed to follow instead of this sort of lynch mob mentality? That's what we should be angry about, we have witnessed a lynch mob mentality before.' City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and other prominent Black elected officials said late last month that he should step down. The demands come as President Trump's Department of Justice is seeking to dismiss the mayor's corruption indictment with the understanding that it could be resurrected as early as November, an unusual caveat that both critics and allies say make him beholden to Trump. Adams has said there was no quid pro quo with the Justice Department. In a formal dismissal request, which is pending approval from a federal judge, Trump's DOJ wrote that the president expects quashing Adams' criminal case will enable the mayor to help facilitate Trump's agenda, including his vow to target undocumented New Yorkers for 'mass deportations.' Adams' controversial comments came at last Tuesday's Gracie Mansion event, where he said he was going through 'a biblical moment.' 'When Jesus was on the cross, he said, 'God forgive them for they know not what they do.' All these Negroes who are asking me to step down, God forgive them,' he said. Black leaders, including Harlem pastor and civil rights advocate Johnnie Green, said last week the mayor's use of the racial phrase in that context was deeply insensitive. Merriam Webster, the dictionary, labels the phrase 'Negro' as 'dated' and 'often offensive.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a vocal Adams critic who is Black, said his reference to a 'lynch mob' Monday was likewise offensive. 'The second Black mayor in our history is actively undoing the decades of progress it took to elect even the first. It's deeply disrespectful to both the leaders who worked to get us here and people who hope to carry us forward,' Williams said. _____
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC Mayor Adams defends language criticized as racially insensitive, decries ‘lynch mob mentality'
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams, facing calls to resign amid controversy over the Trump DOJ's move to dismiss his federal corruption indictment, defended himself Monday against accusations he used racially insensitive language in recent comments about fellow Black politicians and said he's being targeted by a political 'lynch mob.' In a press conference at City Hall, the mayor was asked why he thought it was appropriate last week to label Black politicians who have urged him to resign 'Negroes' in need of saving from God. 'Well, those Negroes knew they were wrong,' Adams replied. The mayor, who made the remark in question at a Black History Month celebration at Gracie Mansion last Tuesday, suggested there's nothing offensive about the phrase. 'Why are we trying to classify the term Negro as being a derogatory term?' he said, noting there are organizations with names that include the term, such as the United Negro College Fund. Conversely, Adams said the outrage should actually be about the mounting calls for him to resign or be removed from office. 'Those who are elected in office who are aware of the rules are saying, 'He needs to be removed, he needs to step down' — that's what we should be angry about,' he said. 'Where is the process that we're supposed to follow instead of this sort of lynch mob mentality? That's what we should be angry about, we have witnessed a lynch mob mentality before.' City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and other prominent Black elected officials said late last month that he should step down. The demands come as President Trump's Department of Justice is seeking to dismiss the mayor's corruption indictment with the understanding that it could be resurrected as early as November, an unusual caveat that both critics and allies say make him beholden to Trump. Adams has said there was no quid pro quo with the Justice Department. In a formal dismissal request, which is pending approval from a federal judge, Trump's DOJ wrote that the president expects quashing Adams' criminal case will enable the mayor to help facilitate Trump's agenda, including his vow to target undocumented New Yorkers for 'mass deportations.' Adams' controversial comments came at last Tuesday's Gracie Mansion event, where he said he was going through 'a biblical moment.' 'When Jesus was on the cross, he said, 'God forgive them for they know not what they do.' All these Negroes who are asking me to step down, God forgive them,' he said. Black leaders, including Harlem pastor and civil rights advocate Johnnie Green, said last week the mayor's use of the racial phrase in that context was deeply insensitive. Merriam Webster, the dictionary, labels the phrase 'Negro' as 'dated' and 'often offensive.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a vocal Adams critic who is Black, said his reference to a 'lynch mob' Monday was likewise offensive. 'The second Black mayor in our history is actively undoing the decades of progress it took to elect even the first. It's deeply disrespectful to both the leaders who worked to get us here and people who hope to carry us forward,' Williams said. _____
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
LEONARD GREENE: Mayor Adams' insults to ‘haters' make him sound like Trump
When he talks about 'Mein Kampf' and dismisses his Black critics as 'Negroes' who need God's forgiveness, you know who Mayor Adams sounds like? He sounds like Donald Trump. Trump has made a political career out of insulting his adversaries and making up derisive nicknames for them. It got him elected to the White House. Twice. It won't get Adams anywhere. Adams sounded like Trump last year when he accused then-President Biden of siccing the U.S. Department of Justice on him, and he sounds like Trump right now. Trump could afford to alienate large segments of the population because it endeared him to many others. It doesn't work that way in New York. It also doesn't work that way if you're Black. Yet, there was Adams last week cranking up the crass machine in response to critics who want him to step down or be removed over federal corruption charges he faces — and the White House's efforts to get them dropped. First, he insulted Jews — though, probably inadvertently — with a reference to Adolf Hitler's autobiographical manifesto during a reelection rally at Brooklyn's Rehoboth Cathedral. 'I was listening to some of Dr. King's teachings,' Adams said, also invoking the name of civil rights leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 'And he talked about the book 'Mein Kampf.' He said if you repeat a lie long enough, loud enough people will believe it is true, and that's what you're seeing right now. This is a modern day 'Mein Kampf.'' That obviously didn't go over well with many of the city's Jewish leaders. Then Adams addressed his Black critics, the ones who have also called for him to resign. 'This is a biblical moment,' during a Black History Month event at Gracie Mansion.'You know, when Jesus was on the cross, he said, 'God, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' All these Negroes who are asking me to step down, God forgive them. Are you stupid? I'm running my race right now.' 'You have to be stupid to try to stop me from running this race.' Adams added. 'It's a level of buffoonery that's going on that's spreading as fast as COVID.' Adams' biblical reference comes from the 23rd chapter of the Gospel of Luke. There, Jesus is sincerely praying for forgiveness for those who are crucifying him, saying that they did not fully understand the consequences of their actions. He didn't mock them during the prayer. Adams, on the other hand, derisively referred to his Black critics as 'Negroes.' And in this forgiveness scenario, who is it on the cross? Is it Adams? And does he really think he's being crucified? Blaspheme much? I wouldn't want to be in City Hall when the lightning strikes. The irony here is that Adams, despite the unfortunate rhetoric, is correct. Calls for him to resign or be removed by Gov. Hochul are absurd, especially without anything even close to a conviction. And if voters think Adams sold out the city, and cut a deal with Trump to stay out of jail, then they can remove him from office themselves. The Democratic primary is only a couple of months away, and there are plenty of alternatives. Not that Adams seems worried. 'Competition's part of it,' he said during a visit last week to the Chelsea Career and Technical High School in SoHo. 'There were so many haters. But as I look out over my life, my haters are now my waiters at the table of success. 'I don't care about all these people who are in the race. I got the crown. They're trying to get the crown that I have.' Haters. A crown. Does that sound like someone you know?
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
News anchor presses Eric Adams on ‘Negroes' comments
A news anchor pressed New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) over his use of the word 'Negroes' at a Black History Month event. At a reception celebrating the month, the embattled Adams, who is currently running for reelection amid accusations of corruption, tried to highlight his administration's achievements and criticized those calling for his resignation. 'All these Negroes who were asking me to step down, God, forgive them,' Adams said at the event Tuesday. 'Are you stupid? I'm running my race right now.' On Wednesday, Curt Menefee, co-anchor of 'Good Day New York,' asked Adams whom he was referring to in his address. 'Are you implying that if you're Black, you have to support you?' Menefee asked. Adams said he was asking all New Yorkers to support his campaign. 'So who are you specifically talking to when you say Negroes?' Menefee asked. Adams responded that he was addressing those who have called for him to step down. 'If you look at that whole speech, the speech talked about the continuation of lighting your flame and continuing to light and shine, and that's what we've done in this administration with our team,' Adams said. 'So those who have called for me to allow my flame to prematurely be extinguished, that's who I'm talking about.' But Menefee continued to press Adams on his word choice. 'So you're saying all New Yorkers are Negroes?' Menefee said. 'I thought I was very clear,' a visibly annoyed Adams responded. 'In my definition of what I said, all New Yorkers — we got 8.3 million New Yorkers, [and] 8.3 million people didn't call for me to step down. I get just the opposite when I'm in the streets.' Polling from the Manhattan Institute earlier this month shows only 25 percent of voters viewing Adams positively, compared to 46 percent who see former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) favorably. Cuomo has not yet announced a mayoral campaign, though he is expected to as soon as this weekend. 'So anybody who's Black who calls for you to step down, they need help from God?' Menefee asked on Wednesday, adding that he was focusing so much on the word choice because Adams has used the term 'repeatedly' over the last few weeks and 'some people actually have an issue with that term.' 'I didn't say they needed help from God, but that we should pray for them,' Admas responded. He added that calls for him to resign are undemocratic. 'Our democracy is based on who the people of the city elect,' Adams said. 'Why are we trying to disrupt and take the power away from the people of the city who elected me to be the mayor? What have I done that we're going to usurp that power from the people? I have not been convicted of a crime. I've moved the city forward. I've done the job that New York is asking me to do, and so when you have those that are trying to use the power of the voting rights of the people, that is not democracy, and God forgive them.' Adams was hit with a criminal indictment last year over alleged campaign bribery and fraud. Those charges have been dropped by the Trump administration, leading to accusations Adams and the White House engaged in a quid pro quo to drop the deal in exchange for Adams cooperating with President Trump's agenda. Adams met with Trump and his 'border czar' Tom Homan leading up to the charges being dropped, and the mayor promised to work with the new administration on fighting illegal immigration. Adams has maintained his innocence and denied allegations of a quid pro quo. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
27-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
News anchor presses Eric Adams on ‘Negroes' comments
A news anchor pressed New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) over his use of the word 'Negroes' at a Black History Month event. At a reception celebrating the month, the embattled Adams, who is currently running for reelection amid accusations of corruption, tried to highlight his administration's achievements and criticized those calling for his resignation. 'All these Negroes who were asking me to step down, God, forgive them,' Adams said at the event on Tuesday. 'Are you stupid? I'm running my race right now.' On Wednesday, Curt Menefee, co-anchor for 'Good Day New York,' asked Adams who he was speaking to in his address. 'Are you implying that if you're Black you have to support you?' Menefee asked. Adams said that he was asking all New Yorkers to support his campaign. 'So who are you specifically talking to when you say Negroes?' Menefee asked. Adams responded that he was addressing those who have called for him to step down. 'If you look at that whole speech, the speech talked about the continuation of lighting your flame and continuing to light and shine, and that's what we've done in this administration with our team,' Adams said. 'So those who have called for me to allow my flame to prematurely be extinguished, that's who I'm talking about.' But Menefee continued to press Adams on his word choice. 'So you're saying all New Yorkers are Negroes?' Menefee said. 'I thought I was very clear,' a visibly annoyed Adams responded. 'In my definition of what I said, all New Yorkers, we got 8.3 million New Yorkers. 8.3 million people didn't call for me to step down. I get just the opposite when I'm in the streets.' Polling from the Manhattan Institute earlier this month shows Adams with only 25 percent of voters viewing him positively, compared to 46 percent who see former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo favorably. Cuomo has not yet announced a mayoral campaign, though he is expected to as soon as this weekend. 'So anybody who's Black who calls for you to step down, they need help from God?' Menefee asked on Wednesday, adding that he was focusing so much on the word choice because Adams has used the term 'repeatedly' over the last few weeks and 'some people actually have an issue with that term.' 'I didn't say they needed help from God, but that we should pray for them,' Admas responded. He added that calls for him to resign are undemocratic. 'Our democracy is based on who the people of the city elect,' said Adams. 'Why are we trying to disrupt and take the power away from the people of the city who elected me to be the mayor? What have I done that we're going to usurp that power from the people? I have not been convicted of a crime. I've moved the city forward. I've done the job that New York is asking me to do, and so when you have those that are trying to use the power of the voting rights of the people that is not democracy, and God forgive them.' Despite running for reelection, Adams is facing criminal indictments for alleged campaign bribery and fraud. He is also facing accusations of engaging in a quid pro quo deal with the Trump administration after the White House asked the charges to be dropped. The request was made after Adams met with President Trump and Tom Holman, the new border czar. The mayor promised to work with the new administration on ending illegal immigration. Adams has maintained his innocence and denied allegations of a quid pro quo scenario.
