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| Columbus Day: Racism Charge in Debate Over Monuments | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| [Want to get New York Today by email? Here’s the sign-up.] | [Want to get New York Today by email? Here’s the sign-up.] |
| It’s Monday. | It’s Monday. |
| Weather: The sky clears as the day goes on, with a high in the low 70s. | Weather: The sky clears as the day goes on, with a high in the low 70s. |
| Alternate-side parking: Suspended today for Columbus Day and Sukkot. | Alternate-side parking: Suspended today for Columbus Day and Sukkot. |
| The dust-up, on live radio, between an Italian-American actor and a progressive Italian-American mayor over an Italian-American saint, was just in time for Monday’s holiday celebrating Italian-Americans’ favorite explorer. | The dust-up, on live radio, between an Italian-American actor and a progressive Italian-American mayor over an Italian-American saint, was just in time for Monday’s holiday celebrating Italian-Americans’ favorite explorer. |
| Chazz Palminteri, the actor who this month accused Mayor de Blasio’s wife of being “a racist,” picked up the telephone on Friday morning and called in to a radio show where the mayor was fielding questions. | Chazz Palminteri, the actor who this month accused Mayor de Blasio’s wife of being “a racist,” picked up the telephone on Friday morning and called in to a radio show where the mayor was fielding questions. |
| The mayor, it appeared, also had something to say. | The mayor, it appeared, also had something to say. |
| “I want you to keep Chazz on the line,” the mayor said to the show’s host, Brian Lehrer of WNYC, “because I think there’s something we have to set the record straight on.” | “I want you to keep Chazz on the line,” the mayor said to the show’s host, Brian Lehrer of WNYC, “because I think there’s something we have to set the record straight on.” |
| What followed was a debate about what happens when race, ethnicity and the legacies of prominent figures collide in 2019. | What followed was a debate about what happens when race, ethnicity and the legacies of prominent figures collide in 2019. |
| Mr. Palminteri had been upset that the mayor’s wife, Chirlane McCray, who is black, did not embrace an effort to honor Mother Cabrini, America’s first saint and a hero to Italian-Americans, with a statue. Ms. McCray leads the city’s effort to erect new monuments in the city. | Mr. Palminteri had been upset that the mayor’s wife, Chirlane McCray, who is black, did not embrace an effort to honor Mother Cabrini, America’s first saint and a hero to Italian-Americans, with a statue. Ms. McCray leads the city’s effort to erect new monuments in the city. |
| “You just don’t call someone racist because they started to address a historic wrong,” Mr. de Blasio said on the radio show. “The effort she was part of created statues for white people, black people, Latino people, straight people, gay people, all five boroughs.” | “You just don’t call someone racist because they started to address a historic wrong,” Mr. de Blasio said on the radio show. “The effort she was part of created statues for white people, black people, Latino people, straight people, gay people, all five boroughs.” |
| [Who’s a racist? Chazz Palminteri spars with the mayor.] | [Who’s a racist? Chazz Palminteri spars with the mayor.] |
| Mr. Palminteri apologized for saying in a prior interview that Ms. McCray’s objection to honoring Mother Cabrini was based on race. But, he said, he still wanted a statue to honor Mother Cabrini. | Mr. Palminteri apologized for saying in a prior interview that Ms. McCray’s objection to honoring Mother Cabrini was based on race. But, he said, he still wanted a statue to honor Mother Cabrini. |
| “If it was the other way around, you don’t think the African-American community would have jumped up and said something?” Mr. Palminteri asked. | “If it was the other way around, you don’t think the African-American community would have jumped up and said something?” Mr. Palminteri asked. |
| Mr. de Blasio said Mr. Palminteri’s argument “made no sense,” and pointed out that Susan B. Anthony was being honored. | Mr. de Blasio said Mr. Palminteri’s argument “made no sense,” and pointed out that Susan B. Anthony was being honored. |
| Ms. McCray leads a commission that recently determined the city had, at one point, 150 statues depicting historic figures, and only five of them honored women. Since then, seven new monuments honoring women have been announced. | Ms. McCray leads a commission that recently determined the city had, at one point, 150 statues depicting historic figures, and only five of them honored women. Since then, seven new monuments honoring women have been announced. |
| Mother Cabrini was not among them. | Mother Cabrini was not among them. |
| That this debate was happening so close to Columbus Day should be no surprise. It was actually Columbus’s legacy — and the statue of him at Columbus Circle erected in 1892 — that helped spark the city’s review of monuments in the first place. | That this debate was happening so close to Columbus Day should be no surprise. It was actually Columbus’s legacy — and the statue of him at Columbus Circle erected in 1892 — that helped spark the city’s review of monuments in the first place. |
| A city report on monuments said there were “entrenched disagreements” about the explorer. | A city report on monuments said there were “entrenched disagreements” about the explorer. |
| For some, his legacy is defined by the waves of immigration and spread of the Catholic faith here, and he had become, the report noted, a symbol of the broader notion of Italian-American pride. | For some, his legacy is defined by the waves of immigration and spread of the Catholic faith here, and he had become, the report noted, a symbol of the broader notion of Italian-American pride. |
| For others, Columbus’s legacy is the decimation of indigenous people that followed his arrival in North America. | For others, Columbus’s legacy is the decimation of indigenous people that followed his arrival in North America. |
| Last week on the radio, Mr. de Blasio said he would have preferred to have at least part of the debate with the actor in private. | Last week on the radio, Mr. de Blasio said he would have preferred to have at least part of the debate with the actor in private. |
| He told Mr. Palminteri, “I would have welcomed a call from you,” and added, for emphasis: “Pick up the God-forsaken phone.” | He told Mr. Palminteri, “I would have welcomed a call from you,” and added, for emphasis: “Pick up the God-forsaken phone.” |
| Want more news? Check out our full coverage. | Want more news? Check out our full coverage. |
| The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle. | The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle. |
| Governor Cuomo signed legislation that makes New York the first state to require companies to fully disclose ingredients in menstrual products. [NBC New York] | Governor Cuomo signed legislation that makes New York the first state to require companies to fully disclose ingredients in menstrual products. [NBC New York] |
| A city-run homeless shelter in Harlem had an in-house heroin dealer. [New York Post] | A city-run homeless shelter in Harlem had an in-house heroin dealer. [New York Post] |
| After a cyclist, 65, was fatally struck in Queens, neighbors said they had long sought a stoplight on Cross Bay Boulevard. [Daily News] | After a cyclist, 65, was fatally struck in Queens, neighbors said they had long sought a stoplight on Cross Bay Boulevard. [Daily News] |
| “Shining Lights in the Lingering Night,” readings and live music about the struggle for equality, at the Great Hall at Cooper Union in Manhattan. 7 p.m. [Free with R.S.V.P.] | “Shining Lights in the Lingering Night,” readings and live music about the struggle for equality, at the Great Hall at Cooper Union in Manhattan. 7 p.m. [Free with R.S.V.P.] |
| Learn about the anthology “Native Voices: Indigenous American Craft, Poetry and Conversations” at McNally Jackson in Manhattan. 7 p.m. [Free] | Learn about the anthology “Native Voices: Indigenous American Craft, Poetry and Conversations” at McNally Jackson in Manhattan. 7 p.m. [Free] |
| Enjoy “Next Slide Please,” a PowerPoint comedy show at the Pine Box Rock Shop in Brooklyn. 9 p.m. [Free] | Enjoy “Next Slide Please,” a PowerPoint comedy show at the Pine Box Rock Shop in Brooklyn. 9 p.m. [Free] |
| — Melissa Guerrero | — Melissa Guerrero |
| Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages. | Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages. |
| The Times’s Michael Wilson reports: | The Times’s Michael Wilson reports: |
| At the spot where four homeless men were killed in Chinatown recently, makeshift memorials have popped up. There are candles, flowers and handwritten notes. | At the spot where four homeless men were killed in Chinatown recently, makeshift memorials have popped up. There are candles, flowers and handwritten notes. |
| And boxes of fresh, hot pizza. | And boxes of fresh, hot pizza. |
| On the boxes has been a note: “I wish with all my heart that I could have been there at that very moment to protect all of you guys.” | On the boxes has been a note: “I wish with all my heart that I could have been there at that very moment to protect all of you guys.” |
| The author added, “you know me as the pizza guy.” “As a former homeless man, the writer continued, “I know the struggle that all of you guys went through every day.” | The author added, “you know me as the pizza guy.” “As a former homeless man, the writer continued, “I know the struggle that all of you guys went through every day.” |
| [Why a pizza mogul left pies at memorials to four homeless men.] | [Why a pizza mogul left pies at memorials to four homeless men.] |
| The pizzas and notes came from Hakki Akdeniz, a 39-year-old immigrant who has built a small chain of pizza shops in the city and with it something of an unofficial, but solid, support network for the homeless in Manhattan. | The pizzas and notes came from Hakki Akdeniz, a 39-year-old immigrant who has built a small chain of pizza shops in the city and with it something of an unofficial, but solid, support network for the homeless in Manhattan. |
| Mr. Akdeniz is Kurdish, was raised in Turkey and emigrated to Canada as a young man. He arrived in New York with $240 in his pocket. Soon the money ran out, and he found himself sleeping in Grand Central Terminal, huddled with his bags, for a few nights. | Mr. Akdeniz is Kurdish, was raised in Turkey and emigrated to Canada as a young man. He arrived in New York with $240 in his pocket. Soon the money ran out, and he found himself sleeping in Grand Central Terminal, huddled with his bags, for a few nights. |
| He found his way to the Bowery Mission, he said, where he stayed for 96 nights. | He found his way to the Bowery Mission, he said, where he stayed for 96 nights. |
| After a while, he landed a job washing dishes in a Hoboken pizza shop. By 2003, he was washing dishes in Manhattan. In 2009, he had saved enough money for a down payment on a pizza shop of his own. When he fell behind in his monthly payments, he slept in the store, under the oven. | After a while, he landed a job washing dishes in a Hoboken pizza shop. By 2003, he was washing dishes in Manhattan. In 2009, he had saved enough money for a down payment on a pizza shop of his own. When he fell behind in his monthly payments, he slept in the store, under the oven. |
| In 2010, he entered a pizza-making contest at the Javits Center. To stand out, he threw and spun his pizza dough after setting it on fire. He won first place. That landed him on the cover of PMQ Pizza Magazine, which he handed out all over his neighborhood. | In 2010, he entered a pizza-making contest at the Javits Center. To stand out, he threw and spun his pizza dough after setting it on fire. He won first place. That landed him on the cover of PMQ Pizza Magazine, which he handed out all over his neighborhood. |
| Business improved. He tossed flaming pizzas on Instagram. Business soared. As Mr. Akdeniz found his groove, he continued to give back. He organizes haircuts and a clothing drive for those in need. And, of course, hands out free pizza. | Business improved. He tossed flaming pizzas on Instagram. Business soared. As Mr. Akdeniz found his groove, he continued to give back. He organizes haircuts and a clothing drive for those in need. And, of course, hands out free pizza. |
| It’s Monday — share a slice. | It’s Monday — share a slice. |
| Dear Diary: | Dear Diary: |
| When I was 7, I noticed a fire alarm box on Central Park West, several blocks up from the Museum of Natural History. | When I was 7, I noticed a fire alarm box on Central Park West, several blocks up from the Museum of Natural History. |
| Not far from the alarm box, I found a Popsicle stick. For some reason, I thought it might be a good idea to use it to activate the alarm. | Not far from the alarm box, I found a Popsicle stick. For some reason, I thought it might be a good idea to use it to activate the alarm. |
| I was too short, and the stick wasn’t making the reach any easier. Then I spotted an older gentleman in a black overcoat. He was watching what I was doing. As he walked toward me, I knew instinctively that I was in trouble. | I was too short, and the stick wasn’t making the reach any easier. Then I spotted an older gentleman in a black overcoat. He was watching what I was doing. As he walked toward me, I knew instinctively that I was in trouble. |
| Unexpectedly, he smiled. I did not anticipate what followed. | Unexpectedly, he smiled. I did not anticipate what followed. |
| “If the fire trucks are here, and there’s a real fire at your home, the firemen won’t get there fast enough to save your family,” he said. | “If the fire trucks are here, and there’s a real fire at your home, the firemen won’t get there fast enough to save your family,” he said. |
| “My grandma?” I said. | “My grandma?” I said. |
| He nodded. | He nodded. |
| I dropped the stick and ran home. | I dropped the stick and ran home. |
| Thirty-five years later, I was on my way to teach a night course in Brooklyn. Ahead of me, I saw three boys. They looked like they might be around 7. | Thirty-five years later, I was on my way to teach a night course in Brooklyn. Ahead of me, I saw three boys. They looked like they might be around 7. |
| Like 7-year-old me, they had found a fire alarm they couldn’t resist. I approached them and stood there watching, trying not to provoke fear. | Like 7-year-old me, they had found a fire alarm they couldn’t resist. I approached them and stood there watching, trying not to provoke fear. |
| “If the firefighters respond to your false alarm here, they can’t get to a real fire in time, even if that fire is at your house,” I said. | “If the firefighters respond to your false alarm here, they can’t get to a real fire in time, even if that fire is at your house,” I said. |
| They went running off. | They went running off. |
| — Andres Pérez y Mena | — Andres Pérez y Mena |
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