Wed Jul 16 11:34:53 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A controversy erupted after a hacker leaked Zohran Mamdani’s 2009 college application where he identified as both Asian and African American. Critics, including those linked to eugenicist Jordan Lasker, seized on this to question his authenticity and integrity, accusing him of exploiting an African American identity for college admission. The article argues that such criticisms ignore the complexity of Mamdani’s background as an Indian Ugandan and the broader history of Asian Africans, who often occupy an ambiguous position within African societies, being both victims and agents of colonial racism. It criticizes the reductive nature of racial categories on application forms, highlighting the difficulty for individuals with mixed or complex heritages to accurately represent themselves. The author suggests that the controversy is a calculated attempt to divide communities of color, a tactic rooted in colonial “divide and rule” strategies, and ultimately aims to undermine Mamdani’s credibility, especially in Black communities where he received less support during the Democratic primary. The author concludes that Mamdani’s understanding of navigating multiple identities could strengthen his leadership in a diverse city like New York.
**News Article:**
**Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Faces Identity Scrutiny, Sparks Debate on Race and Colonial Legacy**
**New York, NY** – Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing scrutiny after a leaked college application revealed he identified as both Asian and African American. The 2009 document, hacked and released by sources connected to eugenicist Jordan Lasker, ignited a firestorm of criticism, with opponents accusing Mamdani of exploiting an African American identity to gain admission to Columbia University.
The controversy has drawn attention to the complexities of racial identity, particularly for individuals with mixed or multi-ethnic backgrounds. Mamdani, born in Uganda to an Indian Ugandan father and an Indian American mother, explained that he checked multiple boxes to capture the fullness of his background, as standard application forms lack the nuance to accurately reflect such complexities.
Critics point to his Ugandan-Asian heritage and the historical role of Asians in East Africa, sometimes seen as a subordinate ruling class under colonial rule. Supporters argue that Mamdani’s background is a product of colonial history and the displacement of people.
The incident has also sparked accusations of employing “divide and rule” tactics, echoing colonial strategies of pitting communities of color against each other. Some see the attacks as an attempt to undermine Mamdani’s support in Black communities.
First Piper 