Show Me a Hero

Nick Wasicsko becomes the youngest big-city mayor in America, but at what cost? Even before he is inaugurated, the obligation to build public housing in the white neighborhoods of Yonkers looms over his new administration.

All hell breaks loose as the Yonkers mayor and City Council are given an ultimatum by a federal judge weary of further delay. Meanwhile, public housing residents watch and wait as the white residents of East Yonkers make clear just how opposed they are.

Mayor Wasicsko finally achieves some consensus and rams through a housing plan with a tough vote, and housing officials finally begin to plan to build the new townhomes. But even as they do, the political costs to Wasicsko become apparent.

A new mayor pledges to oppose the housing, even though it is never quite clear what he might be able to do in that regard. Meanwhile, Nick Wasicsko tries to reconcile himself to life out of power as construction of the townhomes begins.

Armed with a growing recognition that he had fought on the side of angels in the battle over the housing, Wasicsko plans his political comeback, while the residents for the new townhouses are screened and chosen.

A comprehensive orientation process awaits incoming residents. At the same time, Mary Dorman is recruited to serve them in a way that even she finds startling. Meanwhile, Nick Wasicko begins the long road back to political viability.

A preview of David Simon's six-part HBO miniseries that explores notions of home, race and community through the lives of various citizens in Yonkers, NY.

In this companion special to David Simon's HBO miniseries 'Show Me a Hero,' the Urban Institute hosted this panel discussion to reflect on the struggle to desegregate housing in Yonkers in the late 1980s.