That time a foreign-born socialist ran for mayor of New York

The Socialist Party of America's mayoral nominee in 1917, Morris Hillquit, ran a groundbreaking campaign for mayor of New York City, focusing on the real conditions of working people's lives and promising to control rising rents, improve public transit, and make groceries more affordable. A century later, Zohran Mamdani is running a similarly populist campaign, fueled by growing discontent with the status quo.

Mamdani, an immigrant from Uganda, has been praised for his articulateness and commitment to social justice. While some have questioned whether he can overcome the deep-seated divisions in American politics that destroyed Hillquit's chances of election in 1917, Mamdani's campaign offers a glimmer of hope.

One reason for optimism is that the political machinery that crushed socialism in the early 20th century has broken down, and ordinary people are looking for more. In contrast to Hillquit, who was fighting against the entrenched power of Tammany Hall and William Randolph Hearst, Mamdani's campaign is taking place in a very different context.

Hillquit, an outsider from Latvia, had built strong ties with Jewish, Black, and Irish communities through his labor law practice and involvement in the Socialist Party. While he faced fierce opposition from his opponents, Hillquit also won some unexpected support – including A. Philip Randolph's backing in Harlem.

Fast-forward to today, where African Americans are still grappling with systemic inequality, and Irish Americans have largely assimilated into mainstream culture. In this context, Zohran Mamdani's commitment to anti-imperialism and social justice resonates deeply with marginalized communities.

Mamdani's campaign also offers a rare opportunity for ordinary people to make moral choices about what it means to be "American." In an era where toxic patriotism has become the norm, Hillquit's legacy – and that of his fellow socialists – serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of principle and courage in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Ultimately, whether or not Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral election, his campaign is a testament to the enduring power of democratic ideals. As Morris Hillquit so eloquently put it over a century ago, "The sacrifice of principle for expediency – this I will never do."

So what's up with Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign? It's kinda cool that he's talking about the real issues affecting working people and trying to make a difference. But at the same time, you gotta wonder if he'll be able to overcome all the partisan stuff in NYC politics ️. I mean, Hillquit faced some tough opposition back in 1917 and he still managed to run a pretty awesome campaign for his time. Mamdani's got some great qualities too, like being articulate and committed to social justice... but can he really make it happen?

I'm low-key hyped about Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign! It's crazy how much his message resonates with marginalized communities in the US. As someone who's all about productivity, I think it's dope that he's highlighting issues like affordable groceries and public transit – stuff we should've been prioritizing decades ago . And let's be real, his commitment to social justice is giving me LIFE . The fact that ordinary people are looking for more and Mamdani's campaign is offering a glimmer of hope is exactly what we need right now . Fingers crossed he can make it happen!

I'm loving this vibe with Zohran Mamdani's campaign ! It's like he's tapping into the frustrations of everyday people who are just tired of being ignored. I mean, have you seen the state of NYC lately? It's a nightmare for anyone on a tight budget or struggling to get by. And let's be real, the politicians just haven't been doing enough to address these issues .

But what I'm most excited about is how Mamdani's campaign is bringing people together across different communities. I mean, his anti-imperialism message is resonating with so many folks who are tired of being told who they should love or support . It's like he's giving them permission to be proud of their heritage and fight for a better future.

And can we talk about how refreshing it is to see someone from an immigrant background running for office? Like, this is the kind of leadership we need right now . It's not just about the policy proposals; it's about bringing people together and showing them that they're seen and heard.

So yeah, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Zohran Mamdani !

OMG, a socialist in NYC? This dude's got guts! Zohran Mamdani's commitment to social justice is exactly what America needs right now. It's like, we're living in a time where everyone's just trying to get ahead and be "patriotic" without actually caring about the system... but Mamdani's campaign is all about actually making things better for people, you know? The fact that he's getting traction with marginalized communities is amazing. I mean, we still have so much inequality in this country... it's about time someone starts talking about it!

i'm feeling super hopeful about zohran mamdani's campaign he's bringing much needed attention to the struggles of marginalized communities in america & his commitment to social justice is truly inspiring it's crazy to think that 100 yrs ago, morris hillquit was fighting against the same kind of entrenched power & systemic inequality... but instead of being crushed, mamdani's campaign is sparking a renewed conversation about what it means to be "american" and whether our politics should prioritize people over profits

Mamdani's campaign feels like a breath of fresh air in NYC politics. He's not trying to pander to anyone or make empty promises like some other candidates. The fact that he's an immigrant himself and is using his own experiences to connect with working-class folks is super relatable. And yeah, it's great that he's highlighting issues that affect marginalized communities – it's about time someone started listening to their concerns!

I'm kinda hopeful about Zohran Mamdani's campaign He's not afraid to speak up about the real issues affecting working-class people and marginalized communities. But what really gets me is how he's tapping into a sense of disillusionment among ordinary Americans with the status quo. It's like they're saying, "You know what? We've had enough of the same old politicians making promises we don't believe in." Mamdani's got that fire in his belly and I think that's what's gonna make this campaign special. Plus, his commitment to anti-imperialism is something we really need more of these days

OMG, you know what's wild? I was at the park yesterday and saw this guy playing with his drone . He must've been flying like 10 feet off the ground and it looked so cool! Then I started thinking about how people used to watch live broadcasts on TVs when they were first invented . Can you believe that's like, over a century ago now? Anyway, back to politics... I'm kinda stoked about Zohran Mamdani's campaign though . I mean, who wouldn't want more affordable groceries and better public transit . It feels like we're living in the right era for real change. Did you know that New York City has one of the largest parks systems in the country? Like, 14,000+ parks . Anyway, Zohran Mamdani's got this!

Mamdani's campaign feels like a breath of fresh air after all these years. He's got that fire in his belly and a clear vision for change . It's crazy to think that a century ago, someone like Hillquit was fighting the same battles we're seeing today – against inequality, exploitation, and the status quo .

I love how Mamdani's commitment to social justice resonates with marginalized communities . We need more leaders who aren't afraid to challenge the powers that be and fight for what's right . And let's not forget, Hillquit's legacy is still relevant today – he paved the way for future generations of activists and politicians.

It's interesting to see how politics has evolved over time . The fact that ordinary people are looking for change again is a good sign . Mamdani's campaign might just be the spark we need to reignite the conversation about what it means to be "American" . Fingers crossed he makes some noise in the election !

idk what's taking everyone so long to catch up with the socialist movement lol i mean zohran mamdani's campaign is literally like history repeating itself, but without the risk of being crushed by the system. it's crazy how much has changed and yet how much remains the same i feel like we're finally seeing a new wave of leaders who are unafraid to speak truth to power and fight for real change. and honestly, i think that's what america needs rn

idk why ppl r still surprised Mamdani's campaign is populr its not like he's runnin on some radical ideology lol his promise 2 make groceries more affordable & improve public transit already sounds lik every1s priority rn. plus, the fact that he's an immigrant from Uganda shows hes willin 2 listen 2 ppl's concerns & bring a fresh perspective 2 the table

I'm seeing a lot of hope with Zohran Mamdani's campaign . He's got the people on his side and is speaking to their concerns about affordability and equality . It's cool how he's using anti-imperialism as a key part of his platform – it shows he's willing to tackle tough issues like systemic inequality . Plus, his commitment to social justice feels super authentic, especially given his own experiences as an immigrant . The fact that people are finally starting to call out the status quo and demand change is giving me major vibes for a more inclusive and equitable America . Can't wait to see how it all plays out!

I feel like we're living in a different time now . The socialist party is making a comeback and people are finally listening to their message. It's like, we've been conditioned to think that capitalism is the only way, but what about the cost? Mamdani's campaign is not just about him, it's about us, the people who are tired of being ignored. I love how he's talking about anti-imperialism and social justice - it's like, we need someone who cares about the world we live in, not just our own little bubbles . And you're right, Hillquit was a trailblazer, but Mamdani is doing something new and exciting. Let's see if he can make it happen .

I'm so sick of these legacy posts that just regurgitate historical facts . Can't we get some fresh perspectives on the forum? Mamdani's campaign is cool and all, but what about the elephant in the room - the lack of diversity among our mods? A whole century after Hillquit's run, we still haven't made much progress in terms of representation. That's not something to celebrate, IMHO

I'm super stoked to see Zohran Mamdani's campaign for mayor ! It's like, we're living in a different time now, you know? The old-school politics that messed with Morris Hillquit back in 1917 don't exist anymore . People are more aware of social justice issues and stuff, so it's dope to see someone like Mamdani bringin' that fire . And yeah, the fact that he's connectin' with marginalized communities is major key . I mean, we need more leaders who actually care about makin' a difference in people's lives . Even if Mamdani doesn't win, it's all good 'cause his campaign is like a reminder that there's still hope for us to do better . We just gotta keep pushin' forward and fightin' for what's right !

People need people in power to make them proud and bring about real change

I don’t usually comment but I think Zohran Mamdani's chances are looking pretty good! His message about controlling rising rents and making groceries more affordable really hits home with working-class Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. Plus, his commitment to social justice is super refreshing in a time when politics can feel so polarized . I mean, it’s crazy to think that 100 years ago Morris Hillquit was running a similar campaign, but the fact that we're still talking about rent control and affordable housing today just shows how little has changed . One thing for sure is that ordinary people are fed up with the status quo and are looking for real change .

I'm low-key hyped about Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign . He's bringing that authentic energy and commitment to social justice that's been missing from politics for ages. The fact that he's tapping into the growing discontent with the status quo is a huge deal - people are finally realizing that the system ain't working for them, you feel?

I love how Mamdani's campaign is highlighting the importance of principle and courage in the face of opposition. It's easy to get caught up in toxic patriotism, but Hillquit's legacy is a powerful reminder that being "American" is about so much more than just waving flags .

As someone who's grown up with systemic inequality and racism still being a major issue, it means a lot to see an immigrant like Mamdani getting involved in the conversation and advocating for real change . Let's be real, he's not gonna face the same pushback as Hillquit did back in 1917 - the game has changed .

But even if Mamdani doesn't win the election, his campaign is still a huge deal because it's sparking important conversations about what it means to be "American" and how we can work towards creating a more just society .

idk about zohran mamdani bein a good candidate 4 mayor yet...i mean he sounds pretty articulate n all but can we get some proof of his plans 2 tackle the rising rents n grocery prices in nyc? dont wanna hear promises from someone who's just jumpin on the populist bandwagon . where's the data? what kinda policies is he actually proposing? need more info b4 i start cheering him on