New York City Blackout and Mayoral Election of 1977 - Essay Example

New York Blackout and mayoral Election of 1977 Introduction The historical New York Blackoutand Mayoral Elections of 1977 took place on the Tuesday of November 8. Indeed, the election will remain historical in the minds of many for quite a long period, considering the occurrences that took place during the said period. In previous elections, there was always a contest between Democrats against Republicans as the rival parties; however, the 1977 New York Mayoral elections displayed a very different approach to the common occurrence (McNickle 128). Contrary to common election trend, the election has five contestants from the Democratic wing, who were out to challenge the incumbent mayor Abraham Beame, who was also a Democrat (Curvin and Porter 28). Additionally, there were Cuomo of the Liberal Party and Roy M. Goodman running on a Republican Party also contesting the same position. Based on this perspective the paper determines the main effects of the blackout and New York City Mayoral elections of 1977, both on how it destroyed the city more and the positive effects associated with the blackout and the New York Mayoral elections. Considering the thesis statement of the research, which is to determine the effects of blackout and the New York Mayoral elections, there are indeed two different perspectives to be addressed. These include both the negative and positive effects that were associated with the two aspects. The New York City Blackout and mayoral election of 1977 was indeed a pivot to New York on many different perspectives. The 1977 election was the last multi-candidate election, in which no one would predict the possible outcome, and therefore, provided for the enhancement of democracy in electoral aspects. In addition, the election involved a first time female candidate who would be the first of her sex to lead the city hall (Soffer 98). This influences the aspect of gender equality, an aspect not previously experienced in the city. This was indeed on the positive perspective. At the time, New York City was already facing a number of challenges, and from the look of things, including recurring chaos. First, during the time, New York City was held hostage by a serial killer who at the time had contributed to many deaths in the city, without any forthcoming solution in the near future (McNickle 144). Considering the circumstances then, the period was indeed a defying moment for a city already in trouble (Soffer 104). Other than the serial killer who had taken the city captive, the election period also faced a great streaming blackout that was followed by great looting and arson. Considering the large number of contestants and the intense campaigns, rivalry was high up in the air. The blackout therefore, provided a conducive environment for the supporters of the different candidates to flex their muscles against each other, enhancing the already poor city condition. These show the negative effects that the blackout contributed to the city. The occurrences in the New York City made the economic situation worse and a financial crisis was imminent (Curvin and Porter 65). To a majority of the contestants, the incumbent Mr. Abraham D. Beame’s leadership over the past term had contributed towards the failing economic situations in the city, and therefore, to them, the election was more of a referendum against the incumbent’s leadership other than an election to choose the next mayor. For the incumbent, it was a time to put "One foot on the wire – his better foot, the balancing foot.” (Colum). The main aspect was what would make the situation better for the residents of New York City. However, the situation for the incumbent was a struggle to fend his stiff competition to enable him makes history as the first mayor in office to lose an election for over half a century just after a single term. With an already bad situation, the incumbents continued stay in office would have effects that are more negative. With the occurrence of the blackout, many argued that Beame’s as a leader had lost control of proving lights on the streets, and even when the unfortunate had occurred, Beame still failed to call on Governor Carey to provide the necessary security required for a city such as New York (Curvin and Porter 143). Despite the cause of the black having been lightning strike, the contestants were indeed “on fire” (Colum), in their quest for the seat. What is the significance of the blackout and the New York Mayoral elections? The unfortunate situations in New York City had actually started long before the election that only came to make the already bad situation worse. Prior to the elections, the “Son of Sam” murders had been within the city from the previous year. The main victims were young who were actually a majority of the voters in the forthcoming elections and therefore, such a situation would have a significant effect on the election, considering that the young made a significant percentage of the voters (McNickle 206). One aspect of surprise because of the occurrences was that despite the unfortunate events that the city was facing, voters were never affected from supporting their liberal candidates. It is stated that never in the history of New York City had the city experienced such damage to an already damaged economy coupled with financial crisis. Previously in 1965, a similar occurrence of blackout had affected the city; however, it was not of a similar magnitude. In the 1965 blackout, which was also because of a lightening strike, actually occurred during the day and therefore, provided an opportunity for a majority of business owners to offer security to their business in an urge to protect their goods from vandalism. The blackout of 1977 was however, of a different kind. First, it happened at night, which limited an instance of offering protection to goods for the business owners, and hence there was rampant vandalism of many different businesses, as the owners would not offer any security. It was therefore, an instance in which the arson and vandalism would bring more damage to the already bad economic situation. Some stores were burnt until morning. The situation was so bad that it was better for a person to “step backward into the arms of the cops instead of the sky" (Colum) Unlike in 1965 blackout when the economy of New York City was better and the financial crisis of little concern and significance to the residents, the 1977 blackout in addition to the approaching election indeed did more damage than good. To many people, they “felt it couldnt happen again” (Colum), and hence took little concern. Onto a different perspective, the positive effects of the New York blackout and the Mayoral elections also pushed the city to get back toward recovery. First, from the election Mr. Koch won, signified a new dawn into the leadership of the city (McNickle 79). Considering that during Mr. Beame had been accused of providing one of the worst leadership strategies. By the election of Mr. Koch, a new innovative approached of elections was realized. This was the overnight polling, brought into perspective a new means of conducting election for the troubled city. With the new leadership Koch brought, New York City was able to start a new journey into economic development. This was indeed "another kind of awake"(Colum) for New York City. Secondly, the unfortunate occurrences in the city during the blackout and the elections provided an insight into a new way of doing things. From the revival of business that had been destroyed during the blackout and the occurrences during the election such as the ousting of Mr. Beame from the seat just after a single term, making him one of the first in more than half a decade, showed that accountability once in office was a necessity for the elected. It is also rumored that birth rate in New York City grew by an approximate of 35% nine months after the blackout, an aspect that attributed that a majority of people had sexual intercourse on the fateful day (Soffer 298). In addition, the high birth rate provided a greater workforce for the city in the later years as is the case today. The occurrences in New York City were indeed “a transformative moment for the city, a time of decay but of regeneration as well,” (Mahler). In conclusion, it is evident that the blackout and the New York Mayoral elections had both negative and positive effects. On one side, it contributed towards economic recovery, as the new mayor was able to revive the fallen economy. On the negative perspectives, it contributed to the deterioration of the economy, arson, death of many people, and damage to property. Works Cited Colum McCann., Let the Great World Spin, August 2009. Curvin, Robert, and Porter Bruce. Blackout looting!: New York City, July 13, 1977. New York: Gardner Press :, 1979. Print. Mahler Jonathan ., Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning: 1977, Baseball, Politics, and the Battle for the Soul of a City; 2006, Picador; Reprint edition. McNickle, Chris. To be mayor of New York: ethnic politics in the city. New York: Columbia University Press, 1993. Print. Soffer, Jonathan M.. Ed Koch and the rebuilding of New York City. New York: Columbia University Press, 2010. Print. Read More