In the early 2000s, I was a young teacher, and Bloomberg was mayor.

Stop-and-frisk was a way of life, emboldening the police and perpetuating a culture of police harassment and brutality against the Black community. One day, as I drove home from work to pick up my son, I was pulled over on the Grand Concourse in the South Bronx by the cops. They said that I failed to use my turn signal to change lanes, but I knew that was bullshit. I knew I was pulled over for DWB: Driving While Black.

I was taken out of my car, handcuffed, and arrested. I spent hours in a cell, before I was released without even seeing a judge. No charge. No explanation. No apology.

This was just one example of a terrifying, dehumanizing experience I have had with the police as a Black man in America. Some people are trying to downplay stop-and-frisk. They don’t think Bloomberg should be held responsible for championing and defending this blatant violation of constitutional rights, a policy that disproportionately impacted people of color. I ask those naysayers this:

How can the Black community improve our academic, health, or economic outcomes while we’re living in perpetual terror?

I understand the challenges facing our communities in a way the incumbent never has and never will. Perhaps that's why Engel has consistently voted for tough-on-crime policies that have decimated communities of color.

We deserve a Representative who will actively speak out against racial injustice, and won't wait to be asked. A Representative who won't just say he supports the right solutions, but will be a leader in fighting to get them passed.

I hope my story inspires more black, brown, and working-class New Yorkers to share their stories about the pain Bloomberg caused in our communities.

Bloomberg has not shown he understands the pain he caused in our community -- at all. We deserve better from our leaders; that's why I am running for Congress. My campaign is about bringing us all together, combating apathy with a movement based in love and action. I hope you will join me in that spirit.

In solidarity,

Jamaal Bowman