Another Dem SNAPS, They Don't Like Their Authority Questioned -WATCH
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was the center of an unfortunate moment this week after a heated exchange with an angered woman at a town hall.
Adams had been hosting a community conversation when the woman interrupted to berate him for allowing stabilized rent to go up. The exchange quickly got heated after the woman pointed her finger at him and asked challenging questions. In response, Adams told the woman to “treat me how I deserve to be treated” and to “speak with me as an adult” without pointing her finger at him. He ended his comment by referencing plantation owners, saying, “Don’t stand in front like you treated someone that’s on the plantation that you own.”
Footage of the exchange quickly spread on social media, sparking outrage from both sides of the argument. While some felt that the Mayor had handled the situation inappropriately and was offensive to those who had once seen themselves in a similar position to those on plantations, others defended him and argued that the woman was out of line for her attitude towards him.
The incident comes after a contentious vote last week from the Rent Guidelines Board to approve rent increases of up to 6 percent on two-year leases issued or renewed from October through September 2024.
Initially, the board proposed rentals increases of up to 7 percent before Adams pushed back. Afterward, Adams released a statement applauding the move and saying that the board had found an appropriate balance.
Although it's unclear what will come of the situation, it's clear that New Yorkers are passionate when it comes to their ability to afford a place to live. Adams has since publicly apologized for his comment, condemning the effects of slavery and indicating that his language had been wrong.
It remains to be seen if the mayor's apology is enough for citizens to move on, but it is evident now more than ever that New Yorkers need leaders who can help facilitate productive conversations instead of heated ones.