The event was meant to tout an advancement in Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s signature campaign promise of universal childcare: Toddlers — whom Mamdani called “New York’s cutest” — spoke at a pint-sized podium, adorably interrupting remarks. But to many viewers of the livestreamed press conference, the made-for-social-media moment was missing something critical.
“They said, ‘New York’s cutest,’” said Whitney Toussaint, a parent leader in Queens. “OK, where the Black babies at? Because our kids are cute too.”
None of the four children in front of the camera were Black…