Jamaal Bowman

“Violence begets violence, and hate begets hate. Both hate and violence beget a society that harms, and makes impossible the healing necessary for us to reach our full potential.”

“In the 21st century, we must rethink broadband as a basic utility alongside gas, electric, and water.”

“The impact of poverty on our kids and their learning. That's something I've understood pretty intimately throughout my career as an educator.”

“So, I started teaching in 1999 in the South Bronx.”

“As chair of the Energy Subcommittee, I look forward to passing visionary policy that seeks to infuse climate justice with economic and racial justice.”

“Racist infrastructure has damaged districts like mine for generations.”

“We have to break the cycle of structural racism, and build a truly just society for all of us.”

“My background is: I'm a Black man in America, victim of police brutality, victim of institutional racism, working-class from working-class roots.”

“Democracy, as a governing system, is built on the foundational concept that when you cast your ballot, that ballot ensures your voice, will, and perspective will be accounted for in the direction of your city, state, or country.”

“We have all ethnicities, religions, economic statuses, orientations, genders, so much diversity. We need to make sure that that diversity is seen, is heard, is respected, has a seat at the table, and is pulling a lever of power - either from a community perspective or from the perspective of elected officials.”

“Appreciating teachers means transforming the way we think about education and the way we design curriculums. It means protecting the rights of teachers to unionize and collectively bargain.”

“Many elected Republicans know that ensuring that people of color can vote freely would spell bad news for them and their agenda, which privileges corporations and the wealthy.”

“We can have a political system that works for the people and allows for the economy to thrive. It doesn't have to be either.”

“Whoever becomes Education Secretary has to have a love and passion for public schools. Not charter schools, not vouchers, but public schools.”

“No Republican vote in favor of an infrastructure package should supersede our mission: to build an America that works for the people, not for massive corporations. Getting Republicans on board is not necessary. Getting the American people back on their feet is.”

“The story of the American Jewish community is one of resilience and transformation. While often facing antisemitism and discrimination, the Jewish community fought to build better lives for themselves while making this nation a better place for all.”

“Ending the school-to-prison pipeline is not a small task and requires detangling the myth of white superiority from our entire education system.”

“I ran for office because I believe personally that the cycle of poverty is systemic, is rooted in racial injustice, and is rooted in gender bias. It is violence. It is trauma. It is a crime. But, most importantly, it is our policy choice.”

“I'm a Black man who was raised by a single mother in a housing project. That story doesn't usually end in Congress.”

“My second year of teaching I was chosen to be a crisis intervention teacher. Our school was a kindergarten through fourth grade school with 1,500 kids, largely recent immigrants from Africa and South America. And it was in one of the poorest zip codes in the country. The classes were too big, the school was underfunded.”