John,
As a life-long educator and a former middle school principal in the Bronx, I saw firsthand how transforming a child's learning environment can unlock their full potential and lead us into a true, educated democracy.
But year after year, our current education system faces trials and challenges from those who are ignorant to the truth — leaving many students all over the country subject to an unjust and dishonest curriculum.
That's why I am continually honored to reintroduce my African American History Act, which invests $10 million over a 5 year period in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to support African American history education programs that are available to all. This bill will fund a variety of activities, all of which will allow the NMAAHC to continue supporting educators, students, and families learning about African American history.
Politicians like Ron DeSantis are fighting to enact extremist education policies that, if enacted, would mandate courses in Western civilization and eliminate diversity and equity programs. Alongside limiting what schools and employers can teach about racism, he's also poised to ban the College Board's Advanced Placement course in African American Studies for high school students.
And even in our own backyard of NY-16, we're seeing proposals from our government to dramatically divert critical resources from traditional public schools by removing the regional cap on charter schools.
My African American History Act is set to increase the national capacity for African American history education while also funding and improving upon a variety of the NMAAHC's resources such as:
The truth should always be available to all and inspire us to move towards the direction and knowledge of a true democracy.
Investing and supporting African American History to fight back against those who villainize the truth is the antidote to organized ignorance, which in turn will support our work to build a multiracial democracy. John, please stand with me in support of The African American History Act by adding your name today. Our students deserve to be granted an education rooted in tolerance, love, and justice for humanity, not fear or hate.
Peace and love,
Jamaal Bowman