Victor Davis Hanson, a fellow at the Center for American Greatness, has criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's remarks on American identity, particularly those made in the context of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. Hanson contends that Mamdani, who is described as a self-described socialist mayor, uses stereotypes and generalities to criticize the United States, a country his family voluntarily immigrated to.
Hanson questions Mamdani's narrative that America is inherently exclusionary based on accent or skin color. He points to the significant number of Indian immigrants, including Mamdani's own family, who have achieved success in the U.S. According to Hanson, 5.4 million Indians have immigrated to the U.S., with approximately 150,000 more choosing to immigrate annually, suggesting that the country offers opportunities for prosperity, education, and security rather than just insults.
The author contrasts Mamdani's rhetoric with historical efforts to address racial inequality in the United States. He references the Civil War, which he states was fought to abolish slavery, and the significant financial investments made since the 1960s through programs like the War on Poverty and the Great Society to address the legacy of segregation and provide entitlements based on income and race.
Hanson also draws a parallel between Mamdani's alleged use of division for political gain and historical figures, suggesting Mamdani exemplifies those who "led through exclusion and isolation" to "win power and enrich themselves by turning us against one another."