New York City Mayor Eric Adams finds himself in hot water after engaging in an inappropriate and offensive exchange with an elderly woman during a community conversation town hall meeting.
Adams’s derogatory remarks, comparing the woman to a plantation owner, have rightfully drawn criticism that warrants an apology.
The incident occurred during a community conversation town hall in Manhattan when housing activist Jeanie Dubnau, a molecular biologist and passionate advocate for affordable housing, raised concerns about the city’s consecutive rent increases.
Instead of addressing her valid question, Adams chose to launch a personal attack, displaying a shocking lack of respect and decorum.
What Adams did not know during his outburst is Dubnau’s poignant background. She was born into a family that fled Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, seeking refuge in New York City. Her family’s history of survival and resilience warranted empathy and understanding rather than a belittling comparison.
Dubnau, who had to shout her question due to the absence of a microphone at the event, expressed disappointment in Adams’s response. “It was a complete deflection from what I was saying because he has no answer,” she shared with The New York Times.
Her intention was not to disrespect Adams but to bring attention to the concerns of struggling tenants.
“I didn’t have a microphone,” she said. “I had to speak loudly so that everyone could hear what I was saying.”
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Adams’s office was contacted for comment on The New York Times’ report and the appropriateness of racial attacks. Mayor Adams’s spokesperson, Fabian Levy, missed the mark.
Levy defended the “community conversations” as a platform for discussing various issues.
“That’s why the mayor asked this individual to stand up, so she could speak her mind,” Levy said. “To be clear, anyone who believes this mayor isn’t fighting for tenants hasn’t been paying attention.”
His comments absolutely failed to address the central issue at hand—the mayor’s disrespectful behavior toward Dubnau.
The mayor said to Dubnau during the town hall, “If you are going to ask a question, don’t point at me and don’t be disrespectful to me. I’m the mayor of the city. Treat me with the respect I deserve to be treated.”
“I’m speaking to you as an adult. Don’t stand in front like you treating someone that’s on the plantation that you own. Give me the respect I deserve and engage in the conversation up here in Washington Heights,” Adams said.
“Treat me with the same level of respect I treat you,” Adams continued. “So, don’t be pointing at me, don’t be disrespectful to me. Speak with me as an adult because I’m a grown man. I walked into this room as a grown man, and I’ll walk out of this room as a grown man. I answered your question.”
Adams’s insensitive remarks not only undermined the seriousness of Dubnau’s question but also failed to uphold the dignity of his office. As mayor, he has a responsibility to engage with constituents respect, not condescension, regardless of their viewpoints or backgrounds.
Adams crossed a line by resorting to personal attacks and an underhanded charge of racism in an effort to deflect the question instead of addressing the concerns raised by Dubnau.
A public figure in his position should strive to set an example of civility and respectful discourse. The mayor owes Dubnau a sincere apology for his offensive remarks, which demeaned not only her but also the gravity of the issues being discussed.
