For many of Yusef Salaam's supporters, the political newcomer’s win represents a shift in Harlem, a neighborhood with a long history of backing the political establishment. “We've been in pain for a long time and we need to be restored,” Salaam said.
“I call this story a love story between God and his people,” Salaam, 49, told Yahoo News.For many of his supporters, the political newcomer’s win represents a shift in a neighborhood with a long history of backing the political establishment, which critics claim historically got little done for the most marginalized. For Salaam, an activist and father of 10 who has vowed to dramatically improve the quality of life in Harlem, the win represents destiny.
The teens were later exonerated in 2002, when DNA evidence linked another person to the crime. The teenagers sued New York City and the case was later settled. But for the five young men, their lives and many of their hopes and dreams, had already been upended. Yusef Salaam, who was then accused the rape of a Central Park jogger but later exonerated, enters the Manhattan Supreme Court for deliberations circa 2000.
Salaam, who left New York City for Georgia shortly after he was released from prison in 1997, returned to Harlem in hopes of revitalizing the same community that once helped shape him. With a focus on increasing affordable housing, mental health access and better public safety, according to Salaam, there is no reason why Harlem can’t return to the allure that made it internationally recognized.“Harlem is known around the world as the Black mecca,” he said.
Yahoo News asked Yusef Salaam 3 big questions. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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