Instructions:
Listen carefully to the speech and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1. What does the speaker say about the future?
A) It depends on the government.
B) It is uncertain.
C) It is in our hands.
2. What has just happened according to the speaker?
A) A new political party was founded.
B) A political dynasty has been toppled.
C) A law was passed in New York.
3. What role does New York play in the speech?
A) It will lead the nation out of political darkness.
B) It will remain neutral in political conflicts.
C) It will become independent from the U.S.
4. The speaker says they believe in standing up for…
A) Political allies only.
B) Those they love.
C) Economic success.
5. Which groups are specifically mentioned in the speech?
A) Immigrants, trans community, and black women fired by Trump.
B) Students, teachers, and doctors.
C) Veterans and small business owners.
6. What example of daily struggle does the speaker mention?
A) People losing their homes.
B) A single mom waiting for grocery prices to go down.
C) Workers fighting for higher salaries.
7. What does the speaker say after congratulating Zohran Mamdani?
A) They agree with the audience’s reaction.
B) They reject the audience’s reaction, saying “That is not us.”
C) They ignore the interruption.
8. What is the overall tone of the speech?
A) Defensive and angry.
B) Hopeful and unifying.
C) Cynical and pessimistic.
Who is Zohran Mamdani and What Does He Want to Do as New York City Mayor?
Introduction: A Historic Election
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York City, making him the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor of the largest city in the US. The 34-year-old state assemblyman from Queens rose from relative obscurity to the national spotlight with a bold, left-wing platform that energized progressives and drew criticism from conservatives.
"Today we have spoken in a clear voice: hope is alive," Mamdani told supporters after his victory, adding, "Let City Hall, with our compassion, our conviction and our clarity, be the light that our city and our nation so desperately need."
Personal Background and Identity
Origins and Family: Born in Uganda to parents of Indian descent, Mamdani moved to New York with his family at age seven. His mother, Mira Nair, is a celebrated film director, and his father, Professor Mahmood Mamdani, teaches at Columbia University.
Education and Early Activism: He attended the Bronx High School of Science and earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
Complex Identity: He has a complex set of identities (Indian, African, American) and has leaned into his roots while campaigning in the diverse city. He has also made his Muslim faith a visible part of his campaign, regularly visiting mosques and releasing campaign material in Urdu.
Career: Before politics, he worked as a housing counsellor in Queens, helping low-income homeowners fight eviction.
Personal Life: He is married to Syrian artist Rama Duwaji, whom he met on the dating app Hinge.
Key Policy Proposals and Platform
Mamdani's campaign focused on making New York City safer and more affordable through a series of radical proposals.
1. Housing: A Rent Freeze
The Plan: Freeze rent for four years on the city's one million rent-stabilized apartments.
The Rationale: To address the severe cost-of-living crisis, where average rents have increased significantly. Mamdani stated, "This is a city where one in four of its people are living in poverty... it's a city that is in danger of losing that which makes it so special."
Criticism: Researchers argue a long-term freeze would be "catastrophic" for building owners, permanently reducing their income.
2. Affordability and Social Programs
City-Owned Grocery Stores: Create a network of city-owned grocery stores to offer cheaper food options across the five boroughs.
Free Public Buses: Make public buses free and faster. The campaign estimates a cost of $630 million per year, though transit officials suggest it could be closer to $1 billion.
Childcare: Lower the cost of childcare to prevent families from leaving the city.
Minimum Wage: Raise the city's minimum wage from the current $16.50 per hour to $30 per hour by 2030.
3. Paying for the Plans: Tax Increases
To fund his agenda, Mamdani proposes:
Raising the corporate tax rate to 11.5%.
Adding a flat 2% tax on New Yorkers who make more than $1 million a year.
His campaign claims these hikes would raise $9 billion, but the details remain a question. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has said she will not support the mayor's plan to increase taxes on the wealthy.
4. Public Safety: A New Approach
The Plan: Create a department of community safety to expand mental health services. This includes building a system where mental health workers, not police, respond to related 911 calls.
The Rationale: To improve the quality of life and provide a more appropriate response to mental health crises.
Criticism: Opponents like Republican Curtis Sliwa called the plan unrealistic and unsafe for social workers.
Political Stance and Controversies
Connection with Voters: Mamdani's success is partly attributed to his perceived authenticity on social media and his ability to connect with younger voters.
Criticism from Opponents: Former President Donald Trump repeatedly called him a "communist" and threatened to withhold federal funds. Mamdani has rejected the communist label.
Views on Israel-Gaza:
Mamdani holds views that go further than most of the Democratic establishment.
As an assemblyman, he introduced a bill to end the tax-exempt status of New York charities with ties to Israeli settlements.
He has stated he believes Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and is an apartheid state (accusations Israel vehemently rejects).
When pressed on whether he supports Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, he responded: "I'm not comfortable supporting any state that has a hierarchy of citizenship on the basis of religion or anything else... equality should be enshrined in every country in the world."
He has also stated there is no room for antisemitism in New York City and pledged to increase funding to combat hate crimes.