BLACK LOVE IS LOVE

🎶New York, New York, Big City of dreams and everything in New York ain’t always what it seems!!🎶

Listen, when Zohran Mamdani secured his projected victory as New York City’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, it wasn’t just another election night. It was a moment that sent ripples through communities that have been watching from the margins for far too long.
Born in Uganda to a Muslim family of Indian descent, Mamdani didn’t become a naturalized citizen until 2018. Yet here he is, making history in a city that knows all too well the sting of Islamophobia—especially after 9/11. That’s the kind of American story that deserves to be told.

A Community Awakened
The enthusiasm was real, honey. South Asian voter turnout in the 2025 NYC primary jumped by 40% compared to 2021. Democratic bundler Asif Mahmood put it plainly: “It is going to make a big difference for our people—South Indians, Muslims, people who are immigrants like me. They will also think… there’s a place for them in this country.”

Mamdani’s campaign spokesperson, Dora Pekec, said it awakened “a sense of visibility, pride, and political belonging that’s been denied for generations.” That’s not just campaign talk—that’s what representation looks like when it’s done right.
Not Without Controversy
Now, let’s be clear: not everyone was celebrating. His opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, accused Mamdani of “playing the race card” and engaging in divisive politics. The race got heated, with accusations of Islamophobic rhetoric flying back and forth—particularly around 9/11 references that hit different in New York City.
Some in the Indian community weren’t feeling him either. Critics questioned his economic policies, and some even accused him of being anti-Hindu because of his past comments about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Though Mamdani’s campaign pointed out his mother is Hindu and that he rejects anti-Hindu rhetoric, the criticism persisted.
Over a thousand rabbis signed a letter criticizing his stance on Israel. Cuomo even launched a “South Asians for Cuomo” coalition. So yes, this brother faced resistance from multiple directions.

What It Means
Here’s what struck me most: policy analyst Raza Ahmad Rumi noted that Mamdani’s “charisma and connection with people—including support from white and Jewish youth—show that his appeal goes far beyond identity.” That’s the sweet spot we need to reach—where your background opens doors but your substance keeps you in the room.
Mahmood said it best: “He’s not going to make his mayorship [about being] a Muslim mayor, but he’s a good mayor, and he happens to be Muslim.”

This victory comes at an interesting time, too. Democratic support among Indian-Americans has been declining, and Muslim identification with Republicans has jumped from 13% in 2017 to 42% in 2024. So Mamdani’s win shows that when you speak authentically to communities that have been overlooked, they’ll show up for you.

Whether this energy sustains beyond Mamdani remains to be seen. But for now? New York City just proved once again that it’s a place where anyone can write their own chapter in the American story—even if that story starts in Uganda and winds its way through naturalization papers before landing at Gracie Mansion.
That’s the kind of progress that makes you sit back and say, “We’re getting somewhere.”