NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF ARTICLE
Jamaal Bowman Attributes Chronic Disease in Black Community to Daily N‑Word Stress
Former U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman ignited a fierce debate this week by linking the daily use of racial slurs to chronic health problems among Black Americans. Speaking on CNN’s NewsNight, Bowman delivered an impassioned statement, saying the prevalence of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity in his community is connected to the cumulative stress from enduring repeated verbal attacks.
“You can’t be calm about this! I’m a Black man in America!” he declared during a heated exchange with panelists. “The reason why heart disease and cancer and obesity and diabetes are bigger in the Black community is because of the stress we carry from having to deal with being called the N‑word directly or indirectly every day.”
Bowman framed the issue as part of “America’s original sin” and placed blame squarely on systemic racism perpetuated in part by the Republican Party. Directing his remarks at former Pence aide Marc Short, Bowman asserted that GOP lawmakers “do not hold each other accountable when it comes to the racism that comes from the party on a consistent basis.”
“It happens on both sides,” chimed in former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado, who attempted a conciliatory tone. “You might think it happens more on your side … you should see my Twitter feed.”
But Bowman was unyielding. With dramatic emphasis, he closed his eyes and stated, “We have cops beating Black people to death.”
The lawmaker’s comments coincided with reflections on his turbulent congressional tenure. Bowman lost his New York seat to George Latimer in the 2024 Democratic primary. His time in office was marked by outspoken activism, including a fiery Bronx rally with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez—where he exclaimed, “We’re gonna show them who the f**k we are!”—and a dramatic incident in 2023, where he pulled a fire alarm in a Capitol office, prompting widespread criticism and a House censure vote.
Bowman emerged as a leading voice in the left‑wing “Squad,” though he frequently clashed with both Republicans and moderate Democrats. His recent remarks on health disparities and racism underline his enduring commitment to calling out inequality—even as critics question whether conflating emotional trauma with physical health oversimplifies complex medical realities.
