Sowell 1

Jasmin Sowell

Professor Hoffman

PAF 9199

July 29, 2015

Notes for Mayor Dinkins Inaugural Address

On January 2, 1990 Mayor David Dinkins delivered his first inaugural speech to the citizens of New York City. He would become the 106th Mayor of New York and the first African American to become Mayor. His proclaimed purpose “A Pledge to All the People”, was an address to combat the remnants of “yesteryear”. He aims to “improve the standard of life for each and every citizen.” Mayor Dinkins targets specific areas in his speech in which he intends on re-developing. Mayor Dinkins speech highlights the ongoing effort to:

  • Provide equality throughout the human race
  • Establish a Government as ‘Civic Forum’
  • Stabilization neighborhoods
  • Take back the streets of New York
  • Maintain the defense on the legalization of drugs
  • Rehabilitate family structures

The stance in which Mayor Dinkins takes is that of a methodical approach with absolute means. His proposed approach is very assertive yet promising in nature. I think the most unique approach was that of dedicating himself to taking the first step to accomplish his goals is by starting with the children. Mayor Dinkins is quoted “we must start with the most vulnerable and the most precious of all our people, our children.” He further closes out his speech by concluding “and to them-and to each of you- I make this promise, the same one I made when I entered the United States Marine Corps…”

In other instances I reflect on his efforts of stating “I stand here before you today as the elected leader of the greatest city of a great nation, to which my ancestors were brought, chained and whipped in the hold of a slave ship.” This statement in itself spoke to a specific and unavoidable topic, slavery. In taking into account he being the first African American in New York to be elected as Mayor. This was history in the making in that of itself.

Mayor Dinkins predecessor Mayor Edward Koch, a Democrat initially was elected three consecutive terms: 1977, 1981, and 1985. In the re-election of November1989, the mayoral candidates alongside Mayor Koch were David Dinkins (Democrat) and Rudolph Giuliani including a list of other candidates of which did not rank primary. Due to previous race relations much of Koch’s African American constituents were believed to have been the reason behind him not being re-elected for a fourth term. Due to circumstances which appear to be unclear appears as though his political quagmire with former runner Jesse Jackson Mayor Koch was defeated by David Dinkins for the democratic elect. As reported by the New York Times for the Democratic elections “Dinkins ... 537,313 (51%) Koch ... 445,816 (42%) Ravitch...48,289 (4%)”. Dinkins taking lead in the democratic election now against Rudolph Giuliani for the Republicans in which he successfully defeated the other mayoral candidates by “Giuliani ... 75,720 (67%) Lauder ... 36,905 (33%).” (Lynn) Ultimately, Dinkins succeeded in election against Giuliani by “Dinkins won with 50.42% of the vote to Giuliani's 47.84%” (Unknown)

David Norman Dinkins was born 1927 in Trenton, New Jersey. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp at the age of 18 and is a World War II Veteran. His first electoral seat was won in the New York State Assembly. Following, he was offered the position of Deputy Mayor of New York City but due to conflicts with finances there opportunity was rescinded. In 1975 he was able to attain position as City Clerk which spanned until 1985. In 1989 Dinkins ran against Mayor Koch a three term elected candidate. In many instances Mayor Dinkins has been quoted to not have any inspirations to ever be a Mayor.

The inaugural address took place at City Hall with over 12,000 New York Citizens among this estimation included “contingents of homeless” of which received priority seating. It was the 2nd day of the year in 1990 in which it was freezing cold weather, according to weather report it was 35 degrees. However, some articles reflect that Mayor Dinkins along with Former Mayor Koch took the Oath of Office just after midnight in a private ceremony. (Associated Press) It has been remarked that those in attendance for the actual speech were:

  • Joyce Burrows Dinkins
  • Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa
  • Cicely Tyson
  • Harry Belafonte
  • Governor Mario Cuomo
  • Black mayors from around the nation including: Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, Washington Mayor Marion Barry, Rep. John Conyers, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson
  • 4 former New York City Mayors

The speech was given the same day as the ceremony however far later in the day at 11:47am of which started 45 minutes late according to New York Times journalist Marcia Kramer. There was a “selection of songs by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus.” The Master of Ceremonies was Harry Belafonte” of whom introduced the new first lady Mrs. Dinkins. Dinkins preceded the introduction of the first lady. Following his speech address, “Dinkins, placing his hand on a century-old family Bible held by his wife, took the oath of office.” (Kramer) Mayor Dinkins was sworn in by Court of Appeals Judge Fritz Alexander. According to Kramer the reason “the actual event having taken place 12 hours earlier so the city wouldn’t be leaderless.” (Kramer) Governor Mario Cuomo and Former Mayor Koch were requested to speak. While Former Mayor Koch was not included on the program he spoke briefly on the behalf on Mayor Dinkins. There were possibilities of it being moved to One Police Plaza had the weather been proven to be severe.

According to an article written by Todd S. Purdum, a journalist for the New York Times on June 17, 1990 he notes John Siegal as “drafting most major speeches for David N. Dinkins.” (Purdum) Mayor Dinkins has been referenced as not the type of individual to give a speech “off the cuff”. Mayor Dinkins was quoted when asked why does he have speech writers as saying “Speech writers are very important, because sometimes they can turn a phrase that helps convey in a more graphic fashion the message you're trying to get across.'' It has been the case in which Mayor Dinkins refuses to speak without a prepared speech.

John Siegal when interviewed had clarified his position as not being the “chief speech writer” but more of an assistant to the Mayor. Siegal was a lawyer along with Mayor Dinkins. Siegal previously “worked for Mr. Dinkins as an associate in the law firm of Victor A. Kovner…”

Much of the media surrounding Mayor Dinkins speech reflected on his promise to “depose” the drug dealers of the ability to deal drugs.

In reviewing Mayor Dinkins speech I noticed that he referenced quite a few historical ideologies.

  • “We are all foot soldiers on the march to freedom”- was in reference to the structure of military during times of combat. Especially during the time in which Mayor Dinkins enlisted many attacks were made on foot, this was one of the elements of surprise. As well another aspect of marching reflects the synchrony of your fellow “battle buddy”. Everyone marched to the same beat and in cadence and precision was made with every move executed.
  • “My ancestors were brought, chained and whipped in the hold of a slave ship”- This phrased remarked so much insight into the African American plight. Realistically, considering his ancestral capture and forced servitude enforced with whippings it was not written that there would ever be a “first black” anything. For the fact his people were stolen from the “motherland” it could not have predicted that history would ever be made by an African American. This plight was not just for him but for the African American community and the hope it will not be the last time.
  • “In dealing with AIDS, we must seek to cure the disease, and not to curse the afflicted.”- It is during these times in which people not informed on H.I.V./A.I.D.S. conceived it to be a “gay disease”. In which public shaming condemned the afflicted as oppose to providing the nurture and knowledge needed to combat and prevent the continue spread. It is due to the public being misinformed in which lead the widespread of viruses that effected the immune system whether or not if you were homosexual or heterosexual.
  • “…Helping a public school provide drug education or, if you’re a parent, by insisting upon a new ethic of individual accountability and responsibility for your children and your family.”- This statement goes hand in hand with the combating of the AIDS epidemic but also the Crack Epidemic. The Crack Epidemic spanned from the 1980s to the early 1990s. The Crack Epidemic is attributed to the destruction within the Black Community. It was pinned the primary cause of most incarcerations specifically, black males. It is concluded that the states with the worst problems were California and New York. “Between 1984 and 1994, the homicide rate for black males aged 14 to 17 more than doubled, and the homicide rate for black males aged 18 to 24 increased nearly as much.” (Wikipedia)
  • Semper Fidelis- Semper Fidelis correlates to Mayor Dinkins time served in the Marine Corps. Often phrased as “Semper Fi” is the Latin word for Always Faithful. Mayor Dinkins is World War II Veteran. It is standard practice to be sworn in when enlisting to complete military service. The sworn statement is known as the Oath of Enlistment. In this speech you would state

“I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

Mayor Dinkins mentioned numerous places within his speech such as:

  • Berlin to Bucharest
  • Prague to Budapest
  • Walls of Kremlin
  • Tiananmen Square
  • Soweto
  • Ellis Island to Kennedy Airport
  • City Island to Staten Island
  • East Harlem to East New York
  • Israel
  • South Africa
  • Panama or Colombia

In many cases the places listed reflect the significance of hardships and practices of War on people tactics. In the usage of places like Ellis Island which is known for as being one of the central hubs for immigrants coming to America for a brand new start. In other methods he reflect on from East Harlem to East New York. During the 80s and 90s such places as East Harlem were identified as the Mecca for all African Americans while on the other hand until decades late East New York was a predominant Italian and Hasidic neighborhoods. He used analogies in efforts to convey a cohesive state, one without segregation.

Mayor Dinkins does not specifically identify people within his speech as has been the tradition in other inaugural addresses. Yet, he makes references to nationalities in such cases as:

  • African American (also mention as his ancestors)
  • Asian
  • Latino
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Veterans
  • Lesbians and Gays

In reference to the nationalities mention, he intended to identify much of the population in which faced discriminatory acts during this time.

While I feel there were quite a few memorable quotes I believe these two will always be remarked on:

  • “Istandherebeforeyoutodayastheelectedleaderofthegreatestcityofagreatnation,

towhichmyancestorswerebrought,chainedandwhippedintheholdofaslaveship.”

  • Aswejointogetherhereinthispageantofprogressanddemocracy,thereis,thismorning,somewhereinthiscity,achildbornaddictedtocrack,achildsufferingfromAIDS,child beatendownbythedeprivationofpoverty,achildabandoned,achildforgotten,achildwhosedreamhasalreadybeendenied.”

Some of the key terms utilized by Mayor Dinkins were:

  • We must
  • Semper Fidelis/ Always Faithful
  • Foot Soldiers
  • Freedom
  • Child/children

Biographies and/or Autobiographies:

  • The Power of the Mayor: David Dinkins: 1990-1993
  • David Dinkins and New York City Politics: Race, Images, and the Media
  • All Eyes are Upon Us: Race and Politics from Boston to Brooklyn

Works Cited

Appiah, Kwame, and HenryL. Gates. "Dinkins, David N. (1927- ) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed." | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed. N.p.,1999. Web. 27July2015.

"David Dinkins: Visionary Videos: NVLP: African American History." Home: NVLP: African American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 27July2015.

"January 2, 1990 - Dinkins Takes Oath Amid Demonstrations Archive." Chicago Tribune. Associated Press, 2Jan.1990. Web. 28July2015.

Kramer, Marcia. "Dinkins Becomes NYC’s 1st African-American Mayor in 1990." NY Daily News. N.p., n.d. Web. 27July2015.

Lynn, Frank. "The New York Primary- Dinkins Sweeps Past Koch for Nomination - Giuliani Easily Wins Republican Primary - Mayor Offers Help - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 13Sept.1989. Web. 29July2015.

McNickle, Chris. The Power of the Mayor: David Dinkins, 1990-1993. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers,2013. Print.

Purdum, ToddS. "The Man Who Writes What the Mayor Means - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 17June1990. Web. 29July2015.

Roberts, Sam. "The 1989 Elections - The New York Vote - Almost Lost at the Wire - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 9Nov.1989. Web. 28July2015.

Unknown. "New York City Mayoral Election, 1989." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, n.d. Web. 28July2015.