Brooklyn now becomes the center of African American politicians replacing the old guards of Harlem’s Gang of Four after the late Adam Powell. From the late Percy Sutton to the remaining trio of State Supreme Court Judge Basil Patterson, former and first black New York City Mayor David Dinkins and dean of the New York’s congressional delegation Charlie Rangel. With combined years of more than two hundred their life services should now become one for the history books. Through them; multitudes of blacks involved themselves in politics to make a difference for their community. Their foresight of a better New York for blacks didn’t only inspire African Americans in the city to vote and be a part of the process but blacks coming to live in the city, including the Caribbean’s late trailblazer Shirley Chisholm.
The general election of 2013 delivers such political baton to cross the bridges into Brooklyn. With Blacks in the borough voting overwhelmingly and liberal whites joining in to stop the tales of two cities, and the controversial continuation of stop and frisk, Brooklyn delivers its first African American top cop in the borough in Ken Thompson after more than two decades of Charles Hinds. Then with term limits, Mr. Brooklyn himself; Marty Markowitz Brooklyn Borough President seat became occupied by retired cop now politician Eric Adams. For the second time in modern time Brooklyn deliver a mayor for the City, Bill de Blasio and his wife first lady Chirlane. From 35th Council District and holding the city’s second highest elected office is Public Advocate Letitia James, representing the most populous Borough, Brooklyn. Brooklyn the largest of the five boroughs holds the highest amount of congressional elected official’s along with the senior senator.
Now with a new administration taking over the city, minority that went to the polls with the intention of diminishing “Stop and Frisk” especially in Brooklyn may have their wishes answered. As for the liberal whites and wealthy residence across the city and in Brooklyn who had become exasperated with “Tales of Two Cities” paying their fair share of taxes may be just what they wanted in order to build a more balance New York.
