An Analysis of Former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Legacy and His Approach to Minority Issues

By Esther Claudette Gittens | Editorial credit: Ron Adar / shutterstock.com 

Andrew Cuomo, the former Governor of New York, has been a polarizing political figure, often lauded for his leadership while simultaneously criticized for his failures. His tenure was marked by controversy, including allegations of sexual harassment that ultimately led to his resignation. However, beyond his personal scandals, Cuomo’s record on issues affecting Black and Hispanic communities remains a significant topic of debate.

Despite leading a state with one of the most diverse populations in the country, Cuomo failed to address many of the systemic challenges plaguing minority communities. From healthcare disparities to mass incarceration, his administration’s policies often neglected or worsened conditions for Black and Hispanic New Yorkers. Furthermore, his father, former Governor Mario Cuomo, was known for building more prisons than any other governor in U.S. history—a legacy that has disproportionately impacted communities of color.

This article critically examines Andrew Cuomo’s policies and their effects on Black and Hispanic communities, particularly regarding healthcare disparities, incarceration rates, and economic inequality. It also explores his lack of concrete solutions to these persistent issues.

A Legacy of Mass Incarceration: The Cuomo Family and Prisons

Andrew Cuomo’s approach to criminal justice must be viewed in the context of his father’s policies. Mario Cuomo, who served as New York’s governor from 1983 to 1994, was responsible for building more prisons than any other governor in U.S. history. This expansion contributed to the era of mass incarceration, which disproportionately affected Black and Hispanic communities.

Although Andrew Cuomo positioned himself as a progressive leader, his administration did little to dismantle this legacy. While he supported some reforms, such as closing a few prisons and enacting bail reform, his overall approach to criminal justice was cautious, often bending to political pressures.

• Failure to Fully End Mass Incarceration: Despite signing bail reform legislation in 2019, he later rolled back key provisions after facing backlash from law enforcement and conservative critics. These rollbacks disproportionately affected Black and Hispanic defendants, who are more likely to be held on cash bail.
• Continued High Incarceration Rates: While Cuomo claimed to support alternatives to incarceration, the prison population in New York remained significant, with racial disparities persisting.
• Overreliance on Policing Instead of Community Investments: Rather than focusing on investment in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, Cuomo often relied on traditional policing measures to address crime.

The Cuomo family’s history with prisons and criminal justice policies has left a lasting impact on New York’s minority communities, with thousands still trapped in a cycle of incarceration.

Neglecting the Health Crisis in Black and Hispanic Communities

One of the most glaring failures of Cuomo’s administration was his lack of substantial action to address the health disparities affecting Black and Hispanic communities. These communities suffer from disproportionately high rates of HIV, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease—often three to four times the city’s average. Despite these alarming statistics, Cuomo’s policies largely ignored these issues.

HIV/AIDS Crisis

• In New York, Black and Hispanic individuals account for the majority of new HIV cases.
• Community organizations repeatedly called for more funding for HIV prevention and treatment programs in these communities, but Cuomo’s administration did not provide significant increases.
• While Cuomo announced an ambitious plan to “End the HIV Epidemic” in 2014, critics argue that it lacked targeted support for the hardest-hit Black and Hispanic populations.

Cancer Disparities

• Black and Hispanic New Yorkers face higher rates of late-stage cancer diagnoses and lower survival rates.
• Lack of access to preventive screenings and treatment in minority communities remains a major issue, yet Cuomo’s administration failed to prioritize healthcare equity.
• Statewide cancer prevention initiatives often focused on general populations without tailoring efforts to address racial disparities.

Diabetes and Heart Disease Epidemic

• Diabetes and heart disease disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic residents, due to factors such as food deserts, limited access to quality healthcare, and economic inequality.
• Despite these well-documented health disparities, Cuomo failed to implement aggressive policies to improve nutrition access, promote exercise programs, or expand affordable healthcare options in underserved communities.
• The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these inequalities, with Black and Hispanic New Yorkers suffering higher death rates—yet Cuomo’s administration was criticized for mishandling nursing home data and not providing targeted relief to affected communities.

In contrast to his national image as a leader during the COVID-19 crisis, Cuomo’s failure to adequately address preexisting health disparities left many Black and Hispanic New Yorkers vulnerable to preventable illnesses.

Economic Inequality and Cuomo’s Failure to Invest in Minority Communities

New York’s economic inequality is among the worst in the nation, and under Cuomo’s leadership, racial disparities in wealth and employment persisted. While his administration promoted economic growth, the benefits were not evenly distributed.

• Lack of Investment in Minority-Owned Businesses: Small businesses in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods often struggled to secure funding and state contracts, while wealthier, white-owned businesses received greater state support.
• Gentrification and Displacement: Rising housing costs forced many Black and Hispanic families out of their neighborhoods, yet Cuomo did little to implement stronger tenant protections or affordable housing policies.
• Job Training and Employment Gaps: Minority communities continued to experience higher unemployment rates, and Cuomo’s workforce development programs failed to create sustainable opportunities for Black and Hispanic workers.

By prioritizing corporate incentives over grassroots economic policies, Cuomo’s administration reinforced cycles of poverty and exclusion in communities of color.

Cuomo’s Response to Criticism: Deflection Rather Than Solutions

Throughout his time in office, Cuomo rarely provided clear solutions to the systemic issues affecting Black and Hispanic communities. When pressed on these concerns, he often responded with deflection rather than meaningful action.

• Avoiding Direct Engagement: Unlike other Democratic leaders who made racial justice a core part of their platform, Cuomo often sidestepped conversations about racial disparities.
• Token Efforts Over Substantial Reform: While he supported some progressive initiatives, such as raising the minimum wage and legalizing marijuana, these efforts were often seen as politically motivated rather than genuine commitments to racial justice.
• Falling Out with Minority Leaders: Many Black and Hispanic activists and politicians criticized Cuomo for failing to consult them on policies affecting their communities. His political feuds with figures like New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also hindered progress on addressing racial inequalities.

Even as public pressure grew, Cuomo remained resistant to admitting failures or pursuing bold changes.

A Legacy of Missed Opportunities

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s legacy is a complicated one. While he positioned himself as a progressive Democrat, his record on issues affecting Black and Hispanic communities tells a different story. From failing to dismantle the prison system built by his father to neglecting the severe health disparities affecting minority populations, Cuomo repeatedly fell short in addressing racial inequalities.

His administration’s lack of targeted policies on healthcare, economic justice, and criminal justice reform left many of New York’s most vulnerable communities struggling. While Cuomo may have gained national recognition for his leadership style, his impact on Black and Hispanic New Yorkers remains a legacy of missed opportunities and unfulfilled promises.

If Cuomo seeks a return to political relevance, he must reckon with these failures and offer real solutions for the communities he overlooked during his tenure. Otherwise, his name will be remembered not only for his personal scandals but for his neglect of the very people who needed his leadership the most.