David Dinkins

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Image:Dinkins.jpg Image:Frmr NYC Mayor David Dinkins with plaque.jpg David Norman Dinkins (born July 10, 1927 in Trenton, New Jersey) was the Mayor of New York City from 1989 through 1993, the first (and to date only) African American to hold that office. In World War II he served in the United States Marine Corps. Dinkins is a graduate of Howard University, with a degree in Mathematics, and the Brooklyn Law School.

Dinkins was a product of the traditional Democratic Party organization in Harlem and became part of an influential clique of African-American politicians that included Percy Sutton, Basil Paterson and Charles Rangel. As an investor, Dinkins was one of fifty African American investors who helped Percy Sutton found Inner City Broadcasting Corporation in 1971. He served briefly in the New York State Legislature and for many years as New York City Clerk. He was named Deputy Mayor by Mayor Abe Beame but was ultimately not appointed due to scandal. He was elected Manhattan Borough President in 1985 on his third try. He was elected the city's mayor on November 7, 1989, having defeated three-term incumbent Mayor Ed Koch and two others to win the Democratic nomination and going on to narrowly defeat Rudy Giuliani, the Republican and Liberal Party candidate.

Dinkins entered the mayoralty pledging racial healing throughout what he called the "gorgeous mosaic" of New York's diverse communities. It was thought that his low-key personality, which contrasted so sharply with that of his predecessor, along with the symbolic aspect of his being the city's first black mayor might ease racial tensions. Instead, Dinkins' term was marked by polarizing events including the 1991 Crown Heights riots and the boycott of Korean groceries. Dinkins was torn between his base in the black community and the need to win broader support, since the African-American vote was insufficient to achieve electoral success citywide. Perhaps as a result, he was perceived by many as weak and indecisive, if well-meaning, in these crises. The diplomatic style that had seemed like an asset now appeared to be a liability. He was also hurt by the conviction that crime was out of control, though he had the bad luck to be in office during the outbreak of the crack epidemic, and the drug-fueled wars which followed it, most fully recorded, perhaps, in the rap music of that time.

His integrity came under fire, as well as his efficacy. Answering accusations that he failed to pay his taxes, Salon magazine later reported, Dinkens reasoned, "I haven't committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law."

In 1991, Mayor Dinkins signed a law which made it illegal for companies in New York City to do business with companies in Northern Ireland that discriminated against Catholics. In that same year, he hosted an unprecedented open house event in which 1400 people came to City Hall to speak with city officials. 1,058 suggestions, 216 problems, and 258 other comments were recorded. Fewer than one percent of the suggestions were considered for implementation. All these problems gave Rudy Giuliani the leverage to make great changes not only in the city's laws, but in its daily culture when he was elected.

In 1993, Mayor Dinkins again faced Rudy Giuliani in a bitter contest with the candidates' vote totals changing only marginally from the 1989 result. This time however, Giuliani emerged victorious. Dinkins was subsequently given a professorship at Columbia University. Although he has not attempted a political comeback, Dinkins has remained somewhat active in politics and his endorsement of various candidates including Mark J. Green in the 2001 Mayoral race, was well-publicized. In some of his actions, e.g. the Green endorsement, he has been in conflict with Al Sharpton. He supported Democrat Fernando Ferrer in the 2005 New York mayoral election.

During his time serving as mayor, his chief advisor was Ken Sunshine.

Dinkins is married to the former Joyce Burrows and they have two children. The couple are members of the Church of the Intercession in New York City.

Dinkins is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.

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