Newsletters ( newsletter service ): The New York Times Magazine: New York City's Second-Toughest Job

Friday, February 12, 2016

The New York Times Magazine: New York City's Second-Toughest Job

View in Browser | Add nytdirect@nytimes.com to your address book.

Get all digital access to The Times for just 99 cents.

"When you become first lady, it's like, 'O.K., now what do you do?' "

In 2013, Bill de Blasio dominated the mayoral election, capturing hearts, minds and, most important, the black vote — with the help of his telegenic family, anchored by Chirlane McCray. The shy former journalist and activist found herself suddenly thrust in the public eye. For this week's cover story, Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah profiles McCray and discovers how she learned the limits of New York City's second-toughest job. Two years into her tenure as the first lady of New York City, McCray is "navigating the very real expectations and overidentifications being placed upon her," and working to maintain her selfhood in her new position, especially when she's being pilloried by the press and the public. "As the political landscape diversifies," Ghansah wonders, "will the penalty for being yourself always be so punishing?"

Elsewhere in the issue, Jonah Weiner profiles Paul Reubens, the man hidden in plain sight by his alter ego, Pee-wee Herman, as he prepares to unveil Pee-wee's timeless absurdity for his first movie in nearly three decades. And Daniel Bergner untangles the horrific death of Warren Weinstein, who was killed not by his Pakistani kidnappers, as his family had feared, but by an American drone strike.

Wesley Morris argues that the label "divisive" is being used to pre-emptively squelch debate; David Searcy can't quite master the delivery of his favorite funny joke in this week's Letter of Recommendation; and Ana Marie Cox interviews Samantha Bee about not protecting her kids' innocence, male domination of air temperatures and her new show, "Full Frontal."

Happy reading.

Jake Silverstein
Editor in Chief

Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray. Damon Winter/The New York Times

Feature

Chirlane McCray and the Limits of First-Ladyship

By RACHEL KAADZI GHANSAH

What two years in Gracie Mansion have meant for a woman who aspired to be the "voice for the forgotten voices."

Art Streiber for The New York Times

Feature

Pee-wee's Big Comeback

By JONAH WEINER

After disappearing for nearly three decades, Paul Reubens's subversive alter ego returns — and seems more radical than ever.

Family photographs on a bulletin board at Alisa Weinstein's home in San Francisco.

Delphine Diallo for The New York Times

Feature

The Killing of Warren Weinstein

By DANIEL BERGNER

After the American aid worker was abducted in Pakistan, his family undertook a delicate negotiation in hopes of securing his release. But then they got word that he had died — in a United States drone strike.

Letter of Recommendation

Most jokes trade in mere confusion — but not this one.

Letter of Recommendation: The Beekeeper Joke

By DAVID SEARCY

I can tell most jokes just fine. Somehow, though, the funniest joke in the world (as I insist it is) escapes my efforts.

First Words

It's in America's DNA to Be 'Divisive'

By WESLEY MORRIS

The label used to mean the subject was worth arguing about. Now, in pop culture, sports and politics, it's a conversation-ender.

Colored cauliflowers are natural mutants of the white variety, and contain more powerful antioxidants. Grant Cornett for The New York Times. Food stylist: Maggie Ruggiero. Prop stylist: Rebecca Bartoshesky.