NYC Mayor's Equity Pick Under Fire for Controversial Past Posts
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently made a significant appointment. He named Afua Atta-Mensah as the city's new chief equity officer. This position focuses on promoting inclusion and fairness across municipal operations. The 34-year-old mayor expressed strong confidence in his choice. He stated he trusts no one more to advance racial equity within City Hall.
Deleted Social Media History Reveals Racist Remarks
However, Atta-Mensah's appointment now faces intense scrutiny. Her past social media activity includes racist comments targeting white liberal women. She deleted her X account just before the mayor announced her new role. The New York Young Republicans Club uncovered these old posts. The New York Post then published details about the controversial content.
In her now-removed posts, Atta-Mensah used language like "comrade" frequently. She also shared strong statements about black liberation. One post declared there is no moderate path to achieving black liberation. She engaged with several posts criticizing white liberal women specifically.
Atta-Mensah responded to a user who claimed people do not discuss white liberal racism enough. She agreed completely. Her reply suggested the topic would require extremely long conversations to address properly.
Specific Examples of Controversial Interactions
Another interaction involved a question about who feels like police without actually being officers. Atta-Mensah answered directly. She identified white women working at nonprofit organizations as fitting that description. This exchange happened in September 2024.
She also engaged with a post comparing white women to Amy Cooper. Cooper is the white woman who called police on a Black birdwatcher in Central Park during 2020. People widely criticized her actions at the time. The post suggested many white women act like Cooper toward Black women in nonprofits daily. Atta-Mensah responded enthusiastically to this comparison. She called the statement a whole word, indicating strong agreement.
Additionally, she replied to a 2021 post about the television show Succession. The original poster expressed a desire to tax wealthy people heavily. Atta-Mensah showed support for this sentiment using a hand-clap emoji.
Professional Background and Qualifications
On the professional side, Atta-Mensah brings substantial experience to her new role. Her previous positions include Chief of Programs at Community Change. She also served as Executive Director of Community Voices Heard. Before that, she worked as Director of Litigation and Policy at the Urban Justice Center.
Her educational background is equally impressive. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Africana Studies from Trinity College in Hartford. She then completed her Juris Doctor degree at Fordham University School of Law.
Broader Pattern in Mamdani Administration Appointments
This controversy follows a similar pattern within Mayor Mamdani's administration. Another recent appointee, tenant advocate Cea Weaver, also faced backlash. Her old social media posts called for seizing private property. She described homeownership as a weapon of white supremacy in one tweet.
Mamdani's office addressed these issues in a statement. Officials clarified they did not instruct appointees to delete their social media accounts. The administration seems to be navigating challenges with its selections for key positions.
The appointment of Afua Atta-Mensah highlights ongoing tensions. It raises questions about balancing progressive hiring with public accountability. New York City residents now watch how this situation develops further.
