New York City Mayor Eric Adams has addressed the backlash over his use of the term “Negroes” during a Black History Month event, where he criticized those opposing his re-election bid.
“All these Negroes who were asking me to step down, God forgive them,” Adams said at the event. “Are you stupid? I’m running my race right now.”
When questioned about his choice of words during a media session on March 3, Adams defended himself, arguing that the term is not derogatory.
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“Well, those Negroes knew they were wrong. You know, who are we kidding? Why are we trying to classify ‘Negro’ as a derogatory term? You have the Negro Improvement Lead Organization, the United Negro College Fund, and the National Council of Negro Women. That’s not a derogatory term. I even say to myself sometimes, ‘Negro, you dropped the ball,’” Adams stated.
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The embattled mayor, who is facing a corruption probe, maintained his innocence and dismissed calls for his resignation.
“What people should really be insulted by is that here’s a person who did nothing wrong, wasn’t convicted of any criminal action, yet some want to usurp the power of the voters. That’s what should make people angry,” he added.
Critics have accused Adams of making a “quid pro quo” deal with the Trump administration, fueling calls for his resignation.
During an interview on Good Day New York, anchor Curt Menefee pressed Adams on his remarks, asking whether he was implying that Black people were obligated to support him.
Adams denied this, saying, “I want support from all New Yorkers.” When asked who he was referring to as “Negroes,” Adams responded, “Those who have called for my flame to be prematurely extinguished—that’s who I’m talking about.”
Menefee followed up with, “So you’re saying all New Yorkers are Negroes?”
“I thought I was very clear,” Adams replied. “New York has 8.3 million people, and the majority are not calling for me to step down. In fact, I get the opposite reaction when I’m in the streets.”
Adams further argued that demands for his resignation were undemocratic, doubling down on his commitment to continue his tenure despite mounting opposition.
