March 21, 2023
“Mayor Adams’ plan is no joke,
To end hate crimes, he won’t provoke.
With dinners and conversations galore,
We’ll unite and fight discrimination to the core!”
Mayor Eric Adams took to the stage with a powerful speech that left many feeling inspired and hopeful. He started by acknowledging the monumental work that still needs to be done to achieve racial equity and the pain that so many people still face. As the second Black mayor of New York City, he understands firsthand the struggles of overcoming obstacles to opportunities.
But Mayor Adams isn’t one to just talk about the problems. He’s already making strides in the fight against racial discrimination, boasting a 70% reduction in hate crimes since he took office. And he’s not doing it alone – he’s investing in community organizations and working to close the opportunity gap with jobs, job training, and affordable housing.
But one of his most revolutionary initiatives is Breaking Bread, Building Bonds. This program calls on New Yorkers to host dinners with people from different backgrounds and cultures to have conversations and learn from each other. Yes, you heard that right – they’re actually having conversations with each other! It’s a simple but powerful way to embrace diversity and build trust and understanding across the five boroughs.
Mayor Adams makes it clear that we can’t just sit on the sidelines and watch discrimination continue to affect the lives of so many. We have to get on the field and join the fight together. He reminds us of the legacy of leaders like Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and urges us to recommit ourselves to the promise of racial equality.
So let’s take a cue from Mayor Adams and break bread with our neighbors. Let’s learn from each other and build a more equal world. And if all else fails, at least we’ll have a delicious meal to distract us from the state of the world.
Official text on NYC.gov
