Member of De Blasio's Transition Team Receives Award From Communist Group That Aims to 'Popularize the Ideas of Marxism

A member of Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's transition team received an award from a communist group in December, according to the organization's website.

Zakiyah Ansari, advocacy director for Alliance for Quality Education, was given an award by People's World on Dec. 8 at the group's "Better World Awards."

Zakiyah Ansari, a member of Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's transition team, received an award from a communist group last month. (Image source: Twitter)

"From humble beginnings to advocacy director with the New York State Alliance for Quality Education, to member of the new mayor of New York City, Bill De Blasio's transition team. Zakiyah Ansari, BWA honoree, told an extraordinary story of awareness and accomplishment," People's World said in an article published on their website.

"Zakiyah was one of two New York City Coalition for Educational Justice parent leaders appointed to the City Council Task Force on Middle Schools. The Task Force led to recommendations adopted by the NYC Department of Education and the Campaign for Middle School Success," the article added. "As a result, more than $30 million has gone to some of the lowest-performing middle grade schools to support school improvement efforts."

According to People's World's website, the group aims to "popularize the ideas of Marxism and Bill of Rights socialism" and enjoys a "special relationship with the Communist Party USA."

Ansari did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday evening from TheBlaze, but reports of her comments come on the heels of a lively debate about "communist" economic ideas that some are advocating millennials to champion.

The debate was triggered by a Rolling Stone article penned by Jesse Myerson, which contended some things should be guaranteed to everyone, such as a job and basic income.

The article was both widely skewered and praised.

"The most promising of Myerson's ideas is an unconditional basic income, which is a policy of sending checks to Americans simply for existing," wrote Business Insider's Josh Barro, who said he didn't "see what's supposed to be 'communist' about Myerson's proposals."

However, other's have slammed the suggestions.

An article in The Federalist told Myerson, "Sorry, comrade, but you didn't just discover the secret to making communism work."

"It’s one thing for the writers at Rolling Stone to think arrogantly, and without any pretense at basic historical accuracy or intellectual honesty," The Federalist article said. "It’s another to publish articles in that fashion."

(H/T: Frontpage Mag)

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Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter

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