Summary

Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins reflects on his life, legacy, and political career on his 92nd birthday, discussing his accomplishments, challenges faced during his mayoral term, and his thoughts on future generations and presidential politics.

Abstract

On the occasion of his 92nd birthday, David Dinkins, New York City's first and only African American mayor, shares insights from his tenure and life post-mayoralty. Despite facing significant challenges such as a recession, rising crime, and racial tensions, Dinkins takes pride in his administration's achievements, particularly in education and public safety, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration with good people, notably his late Deputy Mayor Bill Lynch. He expresses his views on presidential politics, criticizing President Trump and offering hope for a strong Democratic candidate in the upcoming election. Dinkins also reflects on his legacy, hoping to be remembered for his love for children and his efforts to foster a "gorgeous mosaic" of ethnic diversity in New York City. His historical documents and photos will be archived at the Schomburg Library in Harlem, ensuring his contributions are remembered and studied by future generations.

Opinions

Dinkins views his life as fulfilling and is grateful for each day, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and a positive outlook.
He believes his legacy lies in his impact on children and his efforts to improve race relations, viewing them as the future.
Dinkins acknowledges the crucial role of his Deputy Mayor Bill Lynch in his mayoral achievements and regrets Lynch's early passing.
He is critical of President Trump, stating that he is not widely liked and that his policies are not favorable to African Americans.
Dinkins is optimistic about the potential to defeat Trump in the presidential race, emphasizing the need for a strong Democratic candidate.
He feels that his administration's efforts to increase the number of police officers are often overlooked, with credit sometimes misattributed to his successor Rudy Giuliani.
Despite facing criticism during his term, particularly over the Crown Heights riot, Dinkins believes that his administration did a good job overall.
He is pleased and honored that the Schomburg Library will serve as the repository for his mayoral archives, ensuring his legacy is preserved for posterity.

NYC History Making Mayor, David Dinkins celebrates 92nd Birthday

Most of us will never see 92 years of age, but David Dinkins has. As a sat across from him in his Ivy League, Columbia University office where he has been on the faculty for over 20 years, after serving as Mayor, this is what Dinkins shared with me.

“Each morning I’m able to get out of bed, put one foot ahead of the other, things are fine…but I’ve had a good life. I’m grateful.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

Mayor Dinkins also served in the Marines

Nearly 30 years ago, Dinkins did the impossible. In 1989, then as Manhattan Borough President, Dinkins ran for mayor, not only defeating three-term incumbent Ed Koch in the Democratic primary, but had to then take on in the general election the man that was widely praised at the time, then U.S Attorney Rudy Giuliani.

Mandela sitting in Dinkins office as Mayor

Even though NYC is overwhelmingly democratic…Dinkins barely won becoming New York’s first and ONLY to date, African American mayor. Six months into office, Dinkins made world headlines when he brought Nelson Mandela of South Africa to New York. I pondered, what does Dinkins himself think his own legacy is?

“Well I hope it’s children. The fact that I like people. I especially kids….and it’s not profound to observe that they really are our future.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

Mr. Mayor do you ever look back at your accomplishments…at what you and Bill Lynch…who is no longer with us… were able to accomplish becoming New York’s first Black Mayor? (Journalist Dominic Carter)

“Well I’m glad you remember Bill Lynch. He died much too early at 72, but it is he who was the chief architect of much of what we got accomplished. And he was terrific. Bless his heart!” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

“And that’s what it takes. It takes good people, and an awareness that you don’t get it done alone anyway. It’s with a lot of people, and I had the good fortune of having had a lot of good women and men who cared.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

Even at 92 the former mayor is still political. On this day he had his trademark cup of tea, as we talked President Trump.

“Well he’s not my favorite cup of tea. I’m not very fond of him. But I think most people feel that way about him.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

And what about the current Presidential Race? (Journalist Dominic Carter)

“You can’t beat him with nobody. You need a good candidate, but he can be beaten because he should be beaten.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

“Because of his posture in so many areas. He’s not a nice guy.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

What about his relationship with African Americans? (Journalist Dominic Carter)

“I don’t think it’s good. I don’t think it’s good at all.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

As mayor, Dinkins was considered moderate and soft spoken in leadership style. He had his hands full:

-New York was dealing with the after-effects of a recession

-Crime was on the rise

-Racial tensions were exploding

Dinkins, Legendary Deputy Mayor Bill Lynch, who got Dinkins elected, and Mr. Nelson Mandela. Just months into office as Mayor, Dinkins brought Mandela to NY upon Mr. Mandela’s release from a South Africa Jail

Dinkins would run for re-election but this time lost to Giuliani. Giuliani went on to receive credit for turning troubled New York City around. Here is what the Mayor has to say regarding Giuliani being praised, when it was Dinkins who battled with the State legislature in Albany and got 5,000 additional Police Officers on the Street.

“Well not everybody remembers it as they should. But it was our safe streets…safe city program that put all the cops you just spoke of…that gave us a safer city. It was not I alone….it was Ray Kelly the Police Commissioner.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

Dinkins with President Obama, and the former first lady, John McEnroe, and Barbra Streisand

Mr. Mandela, President Clinton, Dinkins, Vice President Al Gore

While in office, Dinkins celebrated New York City as a “gorgeous mosaic” referring to its ethnic diversity, while pledging to mend racial tensions. But In 1991, a riot broke out between the Hasidic and Black communities in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. On one side of the issue, some thought that the Hasidic community received favored treatment, while others thought that not enough force was used against the Black community to quell the unrest. The day after the election, Political pundits referred to the Crown Heights affair as central to Dinkins defeat. Overall looking at his time at City Hall does the mayor think he received a bum rap?

“No you anticipate, you should expect…if your in a position of authority…there are going to be some people that are going to knock you. But I think that most people will think that we did a good job.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

And while it’s yet to be publicly announced, the famed Schomburg Library in Harlem will be the historical archives for all the documents and photos from the Dinkins years.

“I’m delighted. I think there’s material that should be available to the future, especially to young people…and I’m pleased that Schomburg is going to do that.” Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

Even at 92 Columbia University continues to count Dinkins as amongst its faculty.