Mamdani's Race Disclosure in College Application Scrutinized

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor and a prominent progressive, is facing scrutiny after it was revealed he identified as both 'Asian' and 'Black or African American' on his 2009 Columbia University application, according to data obtained from a recent hack. Mamdani, born in Uganda to Indian parents, explained that he checked multiple boxes to reflect his complex heritage due to limited options, and stated he does not identify as Black or African American but as 'an American who was born in Africa.' He emphasized that his selection was not intended to game the system, although the use of affirmative action at Columbia at the time could have conferred an advantage, though he was not admitted. Public records and interviews show Mamdani has not identified as Black or African American outside such applications. The controversy has fueled broader debate over the role of race identification in college admissions. Mamdani's campaign has focused on his South Asian and Muslim identities.