title taken from “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Is it just me or does it not feel like Christmas this year? I walk through the streets of Brooklyn and, despite the unusual Christmas Eve snow on the ground, I’m not feeling the spirit of the season. I have some thoughts as to why this might be the case.

Well, there was that shitshow of an election that put a damper on the season. Regardless of how you voted, it was a mess that caused families and friends to not just argue, to fully block and delete each other. I mean, yeah, I did.

Although it was the longest of shots, somehow 92% of Black women and 78% of Black men held out hope that Harris would eke out a win. The days leading up to the election were reminiscent of 2016 where it was hard to watch the states being called for either candidate. Again, I went to bed nervously hopeful and woke up pissed as hell. Not simply because that dude won, but because many chose to openly vote against protections for people in their lives. Say what you want, that’s what they did. Hence, the blocking.

News closer to home wasn’t any better. Mr. Outside was brought up on probably overdue federal charges. Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, was charged with bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy offenses - to not one New Yorker’s surprise.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Mayor Adams abused his position as this City’s highest elected official, and before that as Brooklyn Borough President, to take bribes and solicit illegal campaign contributions. By allegedly taking improper and illegal benefits from foreign nationals—including to allow a Manhattan skyscraper to open without a fire inspection—Adams put the interests of his benefactors, including a foreign official, above those of his constituents.”

Adams faces trial in April on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery. He has pleaded not guilty and vowed to remain in office as he fights the charges.

The investigation has prompted the resignations of his police commissioner, schools chancellor, multiple deputy mayors and his director of Asian affairs.

Adams, a former member of the NYPD, has also been relentlessly criticized for his inability to keep the city safe and despite recent incidents, insisting that “random acts of violence” have overshadowed the success of his administration. I mean, kinda hard to dismiss folks being punched and set on fire in the subways as just random, considering that over 3 million New Yorkers use the subway daily.

“If all you're reading about is those random acts of violence, you believe the city's in disarray, and it's not,” said Adams. “This city is the safest big city in America.” That’s not exactly true, it’s one of the safest with Dallas and Boston ranking ahead. Either way, it’s clear that Governor Hochul’s Five-Point Plan to protect New Yorkers on the subway needs revision.

I don’t know if the loss of Saks Fifth Avenue’s light show, stores going out of business, massive layoffs, or just fewer decorated homes and businesses in the city are factors, but it’s giving Bah Humbug this year.

Is it just me?