The Gist Jonathan Mahler: The Tabloids That Made The City That Made the Country
Oct 15, 2025
Jonathan Mahler, an author and journalist known for his insights on New York City's evolution, discusses his book on the tumultuous late '80s. He highlights how figures like Spike Lee and Al Sharpton rose to prominence amid a backdrop of crime and media sensationalism. Mahler emphasizes the role of tabloids in shaping politics and celebrity, as well as how incidents like the Howard Beach murder sparked significant social tension. Their conversation delves into the complex interplay between crime, public anxiety, and political theater in defining modern America.
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Do The Right Thing As A Moment Capsule
- Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing captured 1989's racial and cultural tensions and became the filmic anthem of the moment.
- Jonathan Mahler says Spike embodied the era's mix of idealism, ego, and cultural influence.
The Murder Of Yusuf Hawkins
- Yusuf Hawkins, a Black teenager, was chased and shot in Bensonhurst after looking at a used car, sparking citywide outrage.
- Mahler ties the murder to the 1989 mayoral moment and Al Sharpton's protest bus into Bensonhurst.
Tabloids Manufactured Modern Celebrities
- The tabloids created celebrities by rewarding norm-breaking with attention and storyline amplification.
- Mahler argues figures like Al Sharpton and Donald Trump were products of that tabloid ecosystem.
