Black Lawmaker Celebrated White Residents Leaving His District

New York State Rep. Charles Barron bragged about losing white population in his community in 2019

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In 2019, New York Democratic State Rep. Charles Barron expressed joy over white residents leaving his district, saying "They left. They left" to applause from the audience at a panel on gentrification. Census data shows Barron's district is now 65% Black and only 3% white.

Why it matters

Barron's comments highlight a double standard, where white politicians would likely face significant backlash for making similar remarks about minority constituents leaving their districts. The remarks also reflect a broader trend among some white liberals who show an "outgroup preference" for non-white groups over their own.

The details

Barron made the comments in April 2019 while attending the 'National Town Hall on Gentrification in Black America' as a panelist. He told the audience, "I have the distinct honor to be able to come before you and say I actually lost white population in my community." Barron added, "They left. They left. I didn't ask them why. They left. So, if you see one or two or three or four or five whites in my neighborhood, they're passing through." Census data shows Barron's 60th district is now 65% Black, 21% Hispanic, and only 3% white.

  • In April 2019, Barron made the comments at the 'National Town Hall on Gentrification in Black America'.
  • According to 2024-2025 Census data, Barron's district is now 65% Black, 21% Hispanic, and 3% white.

The players

Charles Barron

A New York Democratic State Representative who served the 60th district and expressed joy over white residents leaving his community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I have the distinct honor to be able to come before you and say I actually lost white population in my community.”

— Charles Barron, New York State Representative (National Town Hall on Gentrification in Black America)

“They left. They left. I didn't ask them why. They left. So, if you see one or two or three or four or five whites in my neighborhood, they're passing through.”

— Charles Barron, New York State Representative (National Town Hall on Gentrification in Black America)

The takeaway

Barron's comments highlight a double standard where white politicians would likely face significant backlash for making similar remarks about minority constituents leaving their districts. The remarks also reflect a broader trend among some white liberals who show an "outgroup preference" for non-white groups over their own.