Jamaal Bowman – A Teachable Moment for American Politics

JAW, JAW: Congressman Jamaal Bowman addressing the Irish 40 Under 40 celebration in New York in February 20223 Opinion June 13, 2024 by Máirtín Ó Muilleoir When Congressman Jamaal Bowman addressed the Irish Echo 40 Under 40 in New York in February 2023, he urged the young ambassadors gathered to agree a contract with him: they would continue to use their undoubted talents to build stronger communities, he would battle on Capitol Hill for a better America. It was a moment right out of a schoolroom text book on civics with its simple, straightforward emphasis on the shared responsibility which lies at the very core of any successful democracy. And it’s a promise on which he has delivered time out of number since being dispatched to Washington in January 2021.  Sign up to The Irish Echo Newsletter Sign up today to get daily, up-to-date news and views from Irish America. And that’s hardly surprising because former teacher Bowman has championed ideals which are taught in every American classroom – endeavor and excellence for sure, but also equality and equity.  Those values have been reflected in his everyday work: for better educational outcomes, for a fair wage for a fair day’s...