Yusef Salaam's Political Triumph Signals a Changing Landscape in Harlem
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Yusef Salaam, one of the exonerated Central Park 5, is on track to win a City Council seat in Central Harlem, signaling a generational power shift in Black political leadership. Salaam's likely victory, along with the probable defeat of Charles Barron, a self-described Black radical socialist, in Brooklyn, reflects a shift from supporting socialists to backing moderate Democrats in both Harlem and East New York. Voters are seeking change and a move forward, embracing candidates who distance themselves from radical politics. The final results will be determined after the ranked-choice tabulation process.