Oh, New York
What a city. There truly isn't any place like New York City. Autumn is my favorite time in the city, even as it gets colder more frequently and darker much earlier, trees are shedding, and leaves are falling to the ground while I play "Autumn in New York" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. I feel a great sense of hope and promise during the fall season.
Right now, the New York City political scene is in tumult. Mayor Eric Adams is facing an historic tenure as the 110th mayor and is staring down several indictments. So many people in top appointments in his administration have resigned that it is literally too difficult to keep track of the comings and goings of officials in key positions in the city. However, in the midst of all of this, I still have an overwhelming sense of hope right now.
Maybe it's because Knicks season has begun and my beloved Mets are on a historic run (and the Yankees are doing well, I hear). Beyond the sports triumphs, though, the current disorganization at the top has reminded me of the thousands of dedicated employees in the public sector. Sure, it is best when we have commissioners and deputy mayors in place. However, this reshuffling of the deck can, in many ways, be what is best for the city. There are some positions where the incoming leadership is someone who should have been in place from the beginning of Mayor Adams's tenure.
Sometimes from the ashes a more fertile soil evolves. I am optimistic that the new leadership will allow the city to not just survive but thrive. As of now, trash is still being picked up, the war on rats is still in effect, teachers are still in classrooms, crime has not spiked, businesses have not left the city, and we are slowly getting better at incorporating new arrivals into our very diverse and complex city.
Where do we go from here? Sadly for our city, we are in for several months of nonstop coverage and leaks pertaining to the woes of Eric Adams. I truly hope that the business of selling papers does not obscure the necessity for journalists to cover other areas of the city that need assistance. The decline in local media from major newspaper outlets has been disturbing to witness. However, if you care about local politics as I do, I strongly suggest checking out outlets such as The City, Gothamist, City and State, and Vital City, as a start.
This city needs all of us to be participatory for it to work. We have a mayoral primary coming in June 2025 and it is not too early to start doing your research on the various candidates for mayor and several other offices.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of "Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream"; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
