New York Democratic congressman Jamaal Bowman is defending his decision to glorify a prominent anti-Semite and two cop killers on a “Wall of Honor” at the middle school he led, with his campaign saying those figures ”have complicated biographies” and should still be taught to children.
As principal of Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, Bowman in 2014 curated a “Wall of Honor” that featured former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D., Ga.), Assata Shakur, and Mutulu Shakur—all of whom Bowman said “played a major role in moving our society … toward a world of freedom, justice, and equality,” according to a HuffPostreport. Years before Bowman established the wall, in 2009, McKinney attended a Holocaust denial gathering in London, where she praised anti-Semitic leaders and writers. Assata Shakur was convicted for the first-degree murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973, while Mutulu Shakur led a group of armed robbers who killed a guard and two New York police officers in 1981.
Now, Bowman says his inclusion of those figures on his “Wall of Honor” is nothing to criticize, with his campaign even contending that the lives of McKinney, Assata Shakur, and Mutulu Shakur should be taught to American schoolchildren.
“It is correct that many leaders in the Black liberation movement … have complicated biographies,” Bowman spokeswoman Sarah Iddrissu told Huffpost. “It is completely baseless, and a rhetorical tool of the far-right, to insinuate educating students on major figures of Black American history is serving to promote hateful or divisive rhetoric or actions.”
“Suppressing the education of Black history only serves to enable violence against Black people,” she concluded.
The ordeal marks yet another controversy for Bowman, who is facing a difficult primary campaign against Westchester County executive George Latimer.
Bowman in January attended a New York City panel discussion titled, “Palestine Oct. 7th and After.” Bowman took the mic at the panel to gushingly introduce Norman Finkelstein, an anti-Israel author who celebrated Hamas’s massacre as a “heroic resistance” that “warm[ed] every fiber” of his soul. Bowman said he was “starstruck” by Finkelstein and other anti-Israel panelists “because I watch them all the time on YouTube.” After the comment prompted criticism, Bowman said he was “unaware” of Finkelstein’s comments.
Just weeks later, the Daily Beastunearthed a poem Bowman published to his personal blog, which suggested the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks were a false flag operation used by the U.S. government to wage war in the Middle East. “Allegedly/Two other planes/The Pentagon/Pennsylvania/Hijacked by terrorist/Minimal damage done/Minimal debris found/Hmmm…” Bowman wrote in one stanza. He also served as principal of Cornerstone Academy at the time.
The poem may explain Bowman’s affinity for McKinney, who in 2002 suggested then-president George W. Bush knew about the Sept. 11 attacks in advance and allowed them to happen so his father could make money. McKinney went on to post a photo to social media that blamed Jews for the attacks. Her father similarly blamed Jews when McKinney lost her congressional seat in 2002.
“Jews have bought everybody. Jews. J-E-W-S,” he said.
Bowman, who did not return a request for comment, has lagged behind Latimer in fundraising. As of Dec. 31, he holds just $631,000 on hand, compared with Latimer’s $1.3 million.
What are the arguments for and against the inclusion of individuals with controversial backgrounds on a “Wall of Honor” in a middle school?
In recent news, New York Democratic congressman Jamaal Bowman has come under scrutiny for his decision to honor individuals with controversial backgrounds on a “Wall of Honor” at the middle school where he once served as principal. The figures in question are former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Assata Shakur, and Mutulu Shakur. While Bowman’s campaign defends his choice, stating that these individuals have “complicated biographies” and should be taught to children, many have raised concerns about the inclusion of an anti-Semite and two cop killers in a place of recognition and inspiration for young minds.
As the principal of Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, Bowman curated the “Wall of Honor” in 2014. According to reports, he attributed a major role to McKinney, Assata Shakur, and Mutulu Shakur in moving society towards freedom, justice, and equality. However, their actions and associations raise serious questions about their suitability for such recognition. Before the establishment of the wall, McKinney attended a Holocaust denial gathering in London in 2009, where she praised anti-Semitic leaders and writers. Assata Shakur was convicted of the first-degree murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973, while Mutulu Shakur led a group of armed robbers responsible for the deaths of a guard and two police officers in 1981.
Bowman’s campaign maintains that the inclusion of these figures on the “Wall of Honor” should not be criticized and that their lives should be taught to American schoolchildren. Sarah Iddrissu, Bowman’s spokeswoman, argues that many leaders in the Black liberation movement have complicated biographies and insinuating that educating students about these figures promotes hateful or divisive rhetoric is baseless. She emphasizes that suppressing the education of Black history only perpetuates violence against Black people.
While it is important to acknowledge the complexities and challenges faced by historical figures, it is equally crucial to critically examine their actions and ideologies. The decision to honor individuals with controversial backgrounds raises concerns about the values and messages being conveyed to young, impressionable minds. It is crucial to foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment that promotes empathy, understanding, and tolerance. As such, the inclusion of individuals with anti-Semitic views and those convicted of heinous crimes on a “Wall of Honor” calls into question the judgment and values underlying such decisions.
This controversy adds to the challenges faced by Congressman Bowman, who is already engaged in a difficult primary campaign against Westchester County executive George Latimer. The inclusion of individuals with controversial backgrounds on a “Wall of Honor” raises valid concerns about the choices and messages communicated to students. Moving forward, it is essential to engage in constructive dialogue about the appropriate representation of historical figures and to ensure that the education of Black history remains unbiased, accurate, and fosters respect for all individuals.
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