Gang of Four (Harlem)

The Gang of Four, also known as the Harlem Clubhouse, was an African-American political coalition from Harlem whose members later ascended to top political posts. It is named after the Gang of Four of China. J. Raymond Jones was influential in helping these men obtain power.[1][2]

The "Gang of Four", (clockwise, from top left) David Dinkins, Basil Paterson, Percy Sutton and Charles Rangel

Members

The four members were:

Legacy

The son of Basil Paterson, David Paterson, served as Lieutenant Governor of New York from 2007 to 2008 and assumed the position Governor of New York in March 2008 following the resignation of Eliot Spitzer. He was the first African American governor of New York State. He also served as Minority Leader of the State Senate from 2003 to 2006, and in State Senate from 1985 to 2006, running at the advice of Percy Sutton.[3]

Keisha Sutton James, the granddaughter of Percy Sutton, was the campaign manager for Alvin Bragg in his successful nomination for New York County District Attorney.[4] In early 2022, Borough President Mark Levine appointed James as Deputy Borough President for Manhattan.[5] In 1964, Percy Sutton defeated Lloyd Dickens for district leader. In 2023, Keisha Sutton James supported the eventual winner, Yusef Salaam, against Inez Dickens in the Democratic Primary for City Council.[6]

Quotes

  • Percy Sutton, "Harlemites are limited in the areas where they can seek power. The result is that, since we don't have mobility, those of us who think we have talent have to hustle within circumscribed areas. But Harlem runs on a basic political organization line not much different from any place else. The percentage of registered voters is low, but the average voter is very sophisticated. You can't get by here with what Bill Dawson pulls in Chicago on the South Side. And boss rule in Harlem today is impossible because days when politicians could control government services to grant or withhold favors is gone. We're like social service workers administering things like poverty programs or Haryou. All you can do is promise good government, give personal attention and project your personality."[7]

Bibliography

References

  1. McFadden, Robert D. (April 17, 2014). "Basil A. Paterson, 87, a Power in Harlem With Statewide Reach, Dies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  2. Boenzi, Neal (April 17, 2014). "Photo: Three members of the Gang of Four, from left, Mr. Paterson, Charles Rangel and Percy Sutton, outside City Hall in 1970". The New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  3. Sullivan, John; Hakim, Danny (March 12, 2008). "Paterson to Ascend to Power in Midst of Storm". The New York Times. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
  4. "Harlem Endorse". AlvinBragg.com. Alvin Bragg for DA. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  5. Oreskes, Michael (January 9, 2022). "Levine's Pillars to a Comeback". The West Side Spirit. Straus News. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  6. Mays, Jeffery C. (June 28, 2023). "In Harlem and Beyond, N.Y.C. Election Points to Generational Power Shift". The New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  7. Good, Paul (October 29, 1967). "A Political Tour of Harlem; Three of the "New Breed" Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2023.


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