Overview

• Former Congressman Jamaal Bowman said on CNN NewsNight that higher rates of heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes in the black community result from the stress of being called the N-word daily.
• His remarks came during a panel debate on “America’s original sin” that was triggered by discussion of Zohran Mamdani’s New York City Democratic primary victory and alleged Islamophobic attacks.
• Video clips of Bowman’s comments went viral and prompted social media users to ridicule his theory as unscientific and exaggerated.
• Critics across the political spectrum dismissed his rationale, with some mocking comparisons and questioning his grasp of public health science.
• Bowman’s history of provocative actions, including pulling a fire alarm in the U.S. Capitol during a 2023 shutdown vote, has fueled further scrutiny of his statements.