Black New Yorkers React to Claim of African American Identity by Mayoral Candidate

Many Black residents of New York City are skeptical of mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani’s assertion that he is African American. Critics describe Mamdani, who is of Asian Indian descent, as a “fraud” and a “trickster.”

One Harlem local, Marjorie, aged 86, dismissed Mamdani’s claim, asserting, “You can look at him and see he’s not. Absolutely not.” She further criticized Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, saying, “He’s just trying to get over.”

Another resident expressed similar sentiments, alleging Mamdani is a “foreigner” and questioning his racial identity. Mamdani was born in Uganda and became a U.S. citizen in 2018, holding dual citizenship with Uganda and the U.S.

During an interview in April, Mamdani admitted that claiming to be African American might be “misleading” and clarified, “We black… We ain’t stupid.” Despite checking the “black or African American” box on his 2009 Columbia University application, Mamdani states he does not identify as Black, describing himself instead as “an American who was born in Africa,” citing his feelings about the form’s options.

Columbia University campus — The application Mamdani submitted to Columbia University included the designation “African American.”

In public remarks, Mamdani has maintained he is not Black but identified as African American on the application to reflect his background at the time. Critics argue this was an attempt to leverage affirmative-action policies, which Mamdani’s supporters dispute.

A street interview in April caught Mamdani stating, “He can look in the mirror and see he’s not black,” reflecting the skepticism shared by many residents. Some, like Temisan Bazunu, a Nigerian intern, expressed support, saying, “It’s nice he’s from Uganda,” and believed he could be a good mayor. Others, such as Michelle Hart, a Trinidadian native, viewed Mamdani’s choice as understandable, noting that application forms often lead individuals to identify differently based on their perceptions.

Earlier this week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, himself Black, called Mamdani’s claim “deeply offensive,” emphasizing that African American identity is rooted in history and lived experience, and criticizing Mamdani for exploiting that for personal advantage.