source :Facebook @zohranmamdani
In the diverse, bustling streets of Astoria, Queens, politics often feels like a distant conversation. But Zohran Mamdani is changing that. The 33-year-old New York State Assembly member is not your typical politician — and that’s exactly why so many people are listening.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, and raised in New York City, Zohran carries with him a cultural mosaic that reflects the very neighborhoods he represents. His journey from underground rapper to democratic socialist legislator is the kind of story you’d expect to hear in a Netflix documentary, not in Albany’s stiff political chambers. But here he is — loud, principled, and impossible to ignore.
🎙️ From Hip-Hop to Housing Justice
Before stepping into politics, Zohran was best known as “Mr. Mamdani,” a rapper who used his lyrics to explore identity, diaspora, and systemic injustice. His music didn’t just entertain — it provoked thought. He wasn't rapping about money or fame; he was unpacking immigration, inequality, and police violence.
That same bold voice carried over into his campaign for State Assembly in District 36 (covering parts of Astoria, Ditmars, and Ravenswood). In 2020, he shocked New York’s political establishment by unseating a long-standing incumbent in the Democratic primary. Backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Mamdani ran on a platform that prioritized housing justice, public transit, and a New York for the many, not the few.
🏙️ Fighting the Rent Crisis
Zohran has made housing one of his signature issues — and not just as a talking point. In a city where rent prices feel like a slow-burning emergency, he’s been one of the loudest voices calling for “Good Cause Eviction” protections, which would make it harder for landlords to kick out tenants without a real reason.
“To live in New York shouldn’t be a luxury,” he said during a protest in front of a luxury apartment tower in Long Island City. “It should be a right. And if the market doesn’t make that happen, then we change the market.”
His critics say his positions are too far left, too idealistic. But to supporters, he’s offering the kind of clear, unapologetic advocacy that working-class New Yorkers have been craving for years.
🚇 A Subway for the People
Zohran doesn’t own a car. He takes the subway like the rest of us — often tweeting out photos of delayed trains and broken elevators. But he’s not just venting: he’s proposing funding shifts to make public transit better, faster, and more accessible, especially for outer borough communities that often get the short end of the MTA stick.
He supports increasing taxes on the ultra-wealthy to fund a fare-free subway system — a bold idea, sure, but one rooted in a belief that public services should serve everyone equally, not just those who can afford them.
🌍 A Voice for the Global South
One of the things that makes Zohran stand out, even among progressive politicians, is his international lens. As the son of renowned South Asian writer and activist Mira Nair and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran has always seen politics as global.
He’s been outspoken about U.S. foreign policy — particularly in Palestine, Sudan, and India — and frequently connects global struggles for justice with those happening on the streets of Queens. His support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has drawn criticism, but also admiration from younger voters and activist communities.
For Zohran, being a politician doesn’t mean dodging controversial issues — it means confronting them, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Speaks Like the People He Represents
Spend five minutes listening to Zohran at a community meeting, and you’ll notice something rare: he doesn’t speak like a politician. He doesn’t pepper his speeches with buzzwords or legalese. Instead, he talks plainly — about eviction, food prices, MTA delays, and racial justice — in a way that feels familiar.
That authenticity is one reason why younger voters are drawn to him. He tweets in lowercase. He uses memes. He shows up at mutual aid events wearing a hoodie instead of a blazer. And he answers people’s DMs.
It’s all intentional. He’s not trying to blend in with Albany’s old guard — he’s trying to disrupt it.
🔥 Controversies and Criticism
Of course, any politician willing to take bold stands invites pushback. Mamdani has clashed with more moderate Democrats, especially on issues like the NYPD budget, rent control, and foreign policy.
Opponents argue that his positions are too radical, and that they alienate key parts of the voter base. Some accuse him of being more of an activist than a legislator. But Zohran isn’t apologizing for his approach.
“I’m not here to climb the ladder or make deals behind closed doors,” he told a crowd in Astoria Park. “I’m here to fight for working people — and I’m okay with making people uncomfortable if that’s what it takes.”
📈 What’s Next for Zohran Mamdani?
With re-election campaigns always around the corner, Mamdani faces pressure to show legislative wins, not just moral ones. So far, his supporters say he’s doing both — pushing Albany left, and making noise in a system that usually resists it.
And whether or not you agree with his politics, one thing’s for sure: Zohran Mamdani is not just another seat in the State Assembly. He’s a movement in motion — powered by music, grassroots organizing, and a belief that New York can be radically more just than it is today.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Zohran Mamdani might not fit into the mold of a traditional politician — and that’s exactly the point. His rise signals a shift in what people want from their leaders: honesty, boldness, and someone who actually rides the subway.
Whether he’s rallying for housing justice, battling climate inaction, or calling out global injustices, Zohran’s voice is becoming impossible to ignore — not just in Queens, but across the country.