“Man, I was unbelievable in the Police Department with 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement,” he continued. “Became a sergeant, a lieutenant, and a captain. You know the story — some people all of a sudden trying to reinvent me. But the reality is what I was then is who I am now.”
When asked for comment about the remarks by the newspaper, Adams apologized and claimed that the person asking the question had used the racial slur first.
“I definitely apologize. Inappropriate, inappropriate comments, should not have been used,” said Adams. “Someone asked me a question using that comment and playing on that word. I responded in that comment, but clearly, these comments should not have been used, and I apologize not only to those who heard it, but to New Yorkers because they should expect more from me. That was inappropriate.”
Adams also discussed his desire to run for mayor.
”The people who say, ‘Where’s our real Black leaders?’ They’re going to say, ‘Who’s Eric? Why does Eric think he should be mayor?’ Well, Negro, you run. You run, go raise the $7 million,” he continued. “Let me tell you something, man. They are lining up — ‘Eric can’t be mayor.’ In the corners of the city, they are lining up. They know me. They know what I’m about and they know what I’m going to do as the mayor of the City of New York. Listen, we’re not going to play this game.”
Adams retired from policing in 2006.
