Meet Jabari Brisport, The Socialist Running For New York City Council

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The race for New York City council in the 35th district, which includes Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, is turning into one of the most contested in the city.

Incumbent Laurie Cumbo is facing attacks from her Democratic opponent, who says Cumbo is too cozy with real estate developers. Cumbo has pointed to her opposition to a controversial piece of development at an old armory in Crown Heights.

Another candidate, though, is making a name for himself in the race. Jabari Brisport has earned the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, a group that grew out of Bernie Sanders' success in the 2016 presidential Democratic primary.

(For the latest developments in this race, and other news about Crown Heights, subscribe to Patch to get a daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. Or find your NYC neighborhood here.)

Patch caught up with Brisport by email for a Q&A. Our conversation is below.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in the district, and my family's lived here since the 1950s. I'm an artist, activist and teacher who's running for office because I got sick of protesting and wanted to do more for my community.

What do you want voters in the district to know about socialism?

That it means more power to the people. It means a society and economy that is oriented around people's needs, not profits. It means we overcome this crazy situation where we have thousands of vacant apartments and tens of thousands of homeless people. Where over 1 million New Yorkers are food insecure, while we through away over a million tons of food every year. These are the paradoxes of an economy centered around profits.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing people in the 35th district?

Housing is by far the most pressing issues. People are being squeezed out of their homes. Crown Heights a hotbed of evictions and severely rent burdened tenants right now. It's terrible. And it's not just low income residents. I've had constituents in Prospect Heights making over $80k/yr who say they're not sure how they can keep making rent.

What should be done with the Bedford-Union Armory?

Put it in a Community Land Trust. Keep it public and under community control. It's the socialist thing to do.

How does the district and the city at large solve the affordable housing crisis?

Well, we currently don't solve it, because we use the MIH program, which is a gift to the developers. Requiring a minority of units to be affordable allows for the majority to be unaffordable. We currently have a glut of empty high-end units that landlords are to trying sell by sweetening the deal: free amenities, a few months free, etc. Meanwhile 60K+ are homeless. The system in place isn't working.

What would a socialist on the NYC council look like?

They'd look like me. In terms of policy, that means taxing the rich and making them pay their fare share. I'd work with Albany and fight for a Vacancy Tax and tax on property flipping, which could generate millions that could then subsidize affordable housing construction. I'd also work for an Inequality Tax, which entails raising the business corporation tax on businesses where the CEO makes hundreds of times what their average worker makes. That money can go into local businesses and worker coops. It also means greater community control. I'd like to expand Participatory Budgeting and also get elected oversight of the police.

Anything else you'd like us to know?

I'm the only candidate in the race who's slashing their salary by $100k, to the median income of Brooklyn. I believe that representing my constituents will come from not only looking like them, but also walking in their shoes economically. And when I'm serving on the city council, you can count on me to get in developers' faces, asking them if they really need to make million dollar profits on condos while New Yorkers sleep in the cold.

Image via Jabari Brisport, Twitter