Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani checks African American box to apply to Columbia

In 2009, Zohran Mamdani, a high school senior, submitted an application to Columbia University where he listed his race as both "Black or African American" and "Asian." This information surfaced from a leaked database of Columbia applications, indicating that Mamdani was attempting to convey his complex ethnic background, which includes Ugandan ancestry through his family. Despite his father being a professor at Columbia, Mamdani was ultimately not accepted into the university. As an adult, Mamdani has clarified that he does not consider himself Black but rather identifies as an American born in Africa. His identity and how it has evolved has been a topic of discussion among his supporters and critics alike. Mamdani has emphasized his South Asian and Muslim background during his campaign for mayor of New York City, while also referencing his birth in Uganda and stressing his African roots. However, some critics have raised concerns regarding his prior identification as Black or African American on his college application, arguing it undermines genuine African American identities and could be seen as an attempt to manipulate admissions processes. In a broader context, the debate around racial identity and how it factors into applications to elite universities has gained attention, especially following the recent Supreme Court decision that struck down race-conscious admissions in 2023, making Mamdani's case particularly relevant in discussions of race, identity, and societal expectations within an ongoing dialogue about diversity in education.