May 3, 2021
City & State New York
3
EDITOR’S NOTE
RALPH R. ORTEGA Editor-in-chief
LAST WEEK, a progressive political consultant, speaking on the condition of anonymity, commented about the recent allegations levied against New York City mayoral candidate Scott Stringer. “In 2021, straight white men are not trustworthy, and he’s only confirming the suspicion that everyone has about what happens when straight white men gain power.” Stringer responded to the accusations made against him by Jean Kim, a lobbyist and former volunteer on his unsuccessful 2001 campaign for New York City public advocate, who alleged that he subjected her to sexual harassment and abuse. Stringer has denied the allegations and said that he had a consensual relationship with Kim. Yet the allegations still threw his campaign off the rails. And the consultant’s observation brings to mind how other white men in power have been caught acting inappropriately with women. With Stringer, currently New York City’s comptroller, just being the latest white man accused of such behavior, one has to wonder if this crisis will ever stop. Accountability, for now, is the only answer, and it must start with the very people who are accused. They should acknowledge that such conduct is unacceptable and that every accuser must be heard, before launching into any kind of defense. Also, a politician or candidate for office who’s got one of these skeletons in their closet cannot just hope that it will never come out. It’s better that they spend their time addressing the issue and table their ambitions, rather than pretending that their past won’t come back to haunt them.
CONTENTS FIRST READ … 4 The week that was
FOR THE RECORD … 8 Maya Wiley’s long crusade for racial equity QUEMUEL ARROYO … 12
The MTA’s first chief accessibility officer is getting to work.
RALPH R. ORTEGA; MARK LENNIHAN/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK
MIXED RECORD … 16
Disability advocates say Gov. Andrew Cuomo hasn’t consistently supported them.
MWBE GOALS … 18
The city and state are easing restrictions and putting MWBEs back to work. Maya Wiley’s impressive record as an activist, lawyer and pundit can barely fit into one really long sentence.
MWBE POWER 50 … 20
The executives and officials diversifying government contracting
WINNERS & LOSERS … 46 Who was up and who was down last week
