The fight for black rights is playing out right here in New York, with nationwide implications.
As socialist “Squad” Councilman Jamaal Bowman attempts to fend off a Democratic challenger in the June 25 primary, it’s becoming clear that he is increasingly out of step with black voters in the Bronx and Westchester.
I know because I asked them.
My organization, the National Black Empowerment Action Fund, recently commissioned a poll of hundreds of black residents in Bowman’s district.
We found a significant disconnect between constituents’ concerns and Bowman’s priorities in Congress.
When asked about the issues they care about most, Black voters primarily pointed to quality of life: jobs and economic development (27%), crime and public safety (25%), inflation and cost of living (18%), and housing (16%).
Meanwhile, while Bowman appears to be squarely addressing the Gaza conflict in his public comments, only 3% of black people in the Strip cite it as their biggest concern.
As a 20-year veteran of black American politics, I have repeatedly seen a common misunderstanding of what black voters want: a quality public education for their children, safe neighborhoods free of guns and gangs, investment in their communities, and the realization of the American Dream.
Taken together, in today’s polarized and politicized environment, the average black voter’s position might be defined as “moderate,” prioritizing safe streets, good schools, and good jobs.
Socialism and extremism are unacceptable. Black people are not socialists. Period.
And that may be precisely why, if Bowman’s challenge is any indication, he and his allies in the so-called “Squad” are rapidly losing support in the black community.
Moreover, our polling confirms that the more black voters know about their lawmakers’ dismal performance on their top issues, the less they approve of those lawmakers.
It revealed two important facts: first, that Bowman is not focusing on the common-sense issues that matter to black voters, and second, that his extreme record in Congress is not being adequately represented to the black community.
This is the exact conversation that’s happening in the Bronx, Westchester and majority-black neighborhoods across the country.
Our polling shows that jobs, housing prices and the economy are the top issues for Black families in the district, some of whom are affluent, some of whom are underserved.
Given that, Bowman’s constituents were shocked to learn that he voted against an economic development bill that has been a priority for Congressional Black leaders and President Biden and would bring jobs, investment and federal dollars to our communities.
Public safety is one of our most important issues, and crime remains a persistent problem in parts of the district.
But Bowman doesn’t just want to cut the police budget: He’s a member of the radical wing of the Democratic Socialists of America, which advocates abolishing the police altogether.
Nearly everyone we spoke with wants a representative who is focused on safe neighborhoods. Residents agree that public safety is foundational to a thriving Black community, and they’re concerned that Bowman isn’t serious about solving the problem.
Bowman’s district has no shortage of struggling public schools, and charter schools have long waiting lists.
Black voters want to be able to choose the best public schools for their children, so one would think that a black congressman (himself a former educator) would support parental choice in education.
But that’s not the case: He has opposed charter schools and alternatives to public schools throughout his political career, clearly putting him at odds with local parents.
Taken together, the dissatisfaction with his expression on these issues indicates a real problem not just for Bowman, but for the entire Squad, who share his extreme, outside-the-mainstream positions.
And despite what Squad members like Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) constantly insist, their challenge comes not from white voters, or shadow conservatives, or bad actors, but from right here in the hearts of Black communities.
Recently, I attended a forum hosted by the local NAACP chapter in White Plains with Rep. Bowman.
While the audience was respectful, the community’s reaction to what they heard seemed lukewarm.
In response to every question, the congressman reflexively pointed to racism as the cause of every problem, rather than talking about his own history or offering any solutions.
I know very well that this country has a long way to go on racial issues, which is why I have founded several organizations dedicated to the advancement of black empowerment.
But I also know this: If you are sent to Congress to represent us, you have to focus on the issues we care about and work explicitly to solve them.
Black voters are growing tired of this rhetoric.
It is time for our representatives to put our priorities first, not a radical agenda that won’t solve any problem.
If they don’t, they may have to bear the consequences.
Darius Jones is co-founder of the National Black Empowerment Action Fund.
