Challenges Facing Eric Adams, The Mayor-Elect Of New York City: Will He Succeed?

CHALLENGES FACING ERIC ADAMS, THE MAYOR-ELECT OF NEW YORK CITY: WILL HE SUCCEED?

On January 1^st, 2022, Eric Adams, will become the second black mayor of New York City, fresh off a trip to Ghana where he experienced a “spiritual cleansing” and blessings for a term as mayor of possibly the most unique and challenging city in the nation. In my opinion, he will certainly need all of the spiritual cleansing and blessings he can muster up; as New York City is awash in problems that no mayor has been lucky enough to solve.

From an outsider’s point of view, as I am not a New Yorker, there are numerous problems that must be priorities. Even as I use the word “priorities”, how does one choose which problem to deal with first, second, or third? In reality, all of these problems must be dealt with all at once, as they are all that crucial and important.

Of immediate importance is public safety as crime on the streets and subways is out of control. And, although “crime” has a broad meaning, let me address the issue of gun violence. How does one Mayor or Mayoral Administration stop the flow of illegal guns used by gang members who are able to buy guns and their parts on the internet? This issue of gun violence is mentioned ad nauseum on the evening news and in newspapers. City dwellers and those running the city are constantly saying, “This violence has got to stop.” However, saying is one thing, doing is another And, as the saying goes, “talk is cheap”. These statements are often not accompanied by solutions on how to stop the violence or who is responsible for doing so. Do the United States President and Congress Members need to get involved in order to help mayors of big cities who face this problem? Should these mayors be forced to face this gargantuan problem alone? Let us not forget that crime is also up in around college campuses in cities like Chicago, and Philadelphia as well. Let us not forget the Columbia University students who were recent victims of heinous crimes. And will the newest member of Mayor-elect Adams’ administration, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, be successful in restoring faith in the communities she serves as well as in the police force in her charge?

Another concern of equal importance is The New York City Housing Authority, better known as NYCHA Public Housing. An internet search describes this housing as providing “decent and affordable housing in a safe and secure living environment for low- and moderate- income residents throughout the five boroughs” Again, as an outsider, when I witness, via the televised evening news, how some people are forced to live in these city -owned apartments, I am not only appalled but disgusted. Not to mention that as Americans, many of us look down our noses at conditions in many third world countries as if we are so much better. It is beyond sinful for human beings to be forced to live with no heat or hot water in the winter, cracked ceilings and holes in the walls, no gas to cook with, and rats, mice and roaches all year round. Who is responsible for righting this wrong? Several years ago, I recall a New York City judge sentencing a slum lord to live in one of his buildings for a certain number of days in order to give him a realistic taste of what it was like for his tenants to live under such inhuman conditions. I remember thinking, “What a brilliant idea.” Perhaps the idea should be re- visited and imposed upon those responsible for these horrible NYCHA apartments.

Criminal Justice Reform is another term that is uttered quite often. What exactly does the term mean as it not only deals with the on- street police force but the court system as well. This is a system that many of us do not understand. How is it that so many who commit crimes are not held accountable but put back on the street to commit additional crimes? It is not unusual to hear of an alleged criminal who gets caught, that he or she is known to the criminal justice system, has a long rap sheet, or was just let out of jail and is on parole? This is an assault to my senses. Are the jails too crowded? Why are these individuals with criminal sensibilities put back on the streets only to wreak havoc upon other individuals and their families or properties? Do more jails need to be built? Another question that haunts me is why aren’t criminals who may have mental issues or issues related to substance abuse, low intelligence, lack of a decent education, or from less than stellar homes, given help while incarcerated. Cannot these issues be addressed by in-house social workers, physicians, psychiatrists, learning disability specialists and appropriate level educators? Furthermore, why aren’t there coordinating programs and institutions to train the formerly incarcerated which would enable them to get decent jobs and housing once they are released? Are we a country that has such little regard for the least of us? Look beyond the surface to determine the roots of behavioral dysfunction and try to do something about it.

The homeless population in New York City is a problem faced by many large cities. Shelters are said to be unsafe and inadequate. I understand that; however, I often wonder why there is no adequate housing where there are staff members who are certified and qualified to deal with addiction and mental health issues plagued by many homeless men and women. I never understood why so many of the homeless were shuffled from building to building in different parts of the city which was an ongoing story during recent months. This is not only a problem for the homeless but a problem for city residents whose quality of life is affected.

Mayor-elect, Eric Adams, announced his choice for New York City Schools Chancellor, David Banks, who came with a strong “knight in shining armor” endorsement from Mr. Adams and many familiar with the work of Mr. Banks The New York City School System poses a huge challenge with something like a million students who attend the one-thousand six-hundred schools. Mr. Banks’ resume suggests that he is up to the challenge. As a former educator, I very well understand these challenges; albeit I cannot imagine dealing with such a diverse, huge student population. My concerns, therefore, are many. How do teachers who come from largely middle class and white households effectively teach students who come from a plethora of different ethnic groups and cultures and placed in classrooms that are too large in number?  Are there teachers in the system that equal in part the diversity of the student population? If not, what is being done in teacher recruitment.? In too many instances, not only can the students not relate to the teacher but the teacher cannot relate to the students. Language could also be an impediment. Even English language speakers sometimes have accents that are difficult to distinguish from what is deemed the typical regional accent.  Adding another layer to the scenario, home values may differ between a student and a teacher which is another impediment. How does a teacher who speaks English communicate in writing or telephone with a parent who only speaks another language, especially when trying to convince the parent that there is homework to be done, and children must be weened from television, video games, social media activity, and other activities that students would rather engage in rather than concentrate on homework assignments? What if homelife is not conducive to completing homework assignments? Does food insecurity faced by many families play a part in the non- achievement? Programs such as free lunch are available to many students but what about breakfast and dinner? Truant Officers have been long gone and because of social issues, poverty, food insecurity, and other ills, some parents knowingly keep their children home to help with household chores, babysitting, and care-giving. And, it appears that many teachers don’t report a child whose attendance record is non-existent or weak. What is done for students who need tutoring? Are there after-school programs for such a need? If so, is it safe for the students to be in these schools after hours?  Are there ample sports and other extra-curricular and co-curricular activities available to keep the students engaged and wanting to attend school?  Looming equally as large is the problem of the United Federation of Teachers whose members, whether officers or teachers themselves, want their loud voices heard. These are just a few of the challenges that I see that are almost non-existent in smaller, more homogenous, and wealthier school districts. For all of our children’s sakes, I wish Mr. David Banks much success. I am also looking forward to others named by Mr. Adams which will fill out his Administration based upon their resumes and not based upon political favors owed. Although I am an outsider and not a resident of New York City, I like to think of myself as an American who cares about the success and well being of all Americans.

As Americans, we cannot ignore these issues even when they are not in our back-yards. We are not only divided in this country but angry and fed-up. There are those in local and national government, charged with administering to the needs of their constituents. These individuals reap benefits and salaries beyond the reach of and unimaginable to many of us. Although, it must also be said that far too many of us are so busy trying to keep our heads above water in dealing with daily life, that we fail to take the necessary steps to hold these folks accountable. It is urgent that wet take the time and trouble to hold these elected government officials accountable for their actions and or inactions. The numbers of those who are either incapable of governing, or uncaring are growing. Americans are becoming disillusioned. At the very least we should expect to be free from extreme financial, emotional, physical, and social stresses that were here before the pandemic and will be here after the pandemic if steps are not taken to ameliorate these problems. The time is now.