By h. nazan ışık—
10 August 2022—
Mayor Eric Adams hosted a reception honoring Dominican heritage at Gracie Mansion. When you enter Gracie Mansion sound of music coming from a band welcome you.
It was like a party. And some guests were enjoying it, and dancing.
And some were getting ready for the party.
Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Department of Transportation opened the ceremony.
He spoke in Spanish. At one point he said in English : “If I say Eric, you say Adams.”
Commissioner Rodrigues: “ Eric”
Audience: Adams.
Commissioner Rodriguez: Eric.
Audience: Adams.
Commissioner Rodriguez: Eric.
Audience: Adams.
When Mayor Adams come to the platform, he got a lot of compliments from guests:
“I love your jacket Adams!”
Mayor Eric Adams: “We want to just pause for a moment and just acknowledge some of our amazing electeds that are here. Then we want to go into our honorees of the award presentation. Then I want to come back and just show you the love that I have for the Dominican community. Listen, I’m Dominican, baby.”
U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat joined Commissioner Rodriguez and Mayor Adams and gave a big hug.
While Honorees were getting their awards, there were a lot of hugs.
“Mayor Adams: “Stay focused.” I took that saying, and it became my campaign slogan.”
Mayor Adams: “During the most challenging times during the campaign, when I felt at my lowest, when I felt that people just didn’t get it, just didn’t understand the commitment and dedication that I had for this city, when I felt that people were writing the false narrative of who we were and what we represent, all I had to do was go up to Washington Heights or go to the Bronx and hang out with the Dominican community. They would say, “Just keep moving, Eric. Keep moving. Stay focused and keep moving.”
“Stay focused.” And I took that saying, and it became my campaign slogan. You turn my dream into reality. Now, it’s my job to turn your dream into a reality. We are going to focus on the city together.
“Thank you so much for who you are and who you have been to me throughout my entire time in government, and why I am the mayor of the City of New York. I am the mayor of the City of New York, because you were there for me throughout my entire time. Thank you so much.”
Guests applauded.
And party went on.
Plant-based empanadas….
Photos: © h. nazan ışık
© NKENdiKEN