MIT graduate student Talia Khan will be attending President Biden’s State of the Union Address as a guest of House Speaker Mike Johnson. Khan will be discussing the trauma of antisemitism on college campuses during the interview.
However, controversy has arisen regarding Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s support for a mural of Minister Louis Farrakhan in a New York City suburb. Farrakhan is known for making disparaging comments about Jews, referring to them as the “synagogue of Satan” and “termites.” Bowman argued that while he disagrees with Farrakhan’s views, he believes the mural should remain as it is, citing Farrakhan’s role in Black history.
Jewish activists have strongly condemned Bowman’s position, with human rights attorney Brooke Goldstein stating that including Farrakhan on the mural is an attempt to whitewash his racism. Goldstein also criticized Bowman for failing to acknowledge the trauma caused by Farrakhan and his lack of fitness to lead when it comes to minority rights.
Lizzy Savetsky, a Jewish activist, called Bowman’s endorsement of Farrakhan “unconscionable and reprehensible.” She emphasized the need to condemn and oppose such actions to prevent acceptance of hate-filled bigots.
Farrakhan’s history of derogatory comments about Jews, including referring to them as “termites” and praising Hitler, has made him one of the most controversial religious figures in the United States. Congressman Carlos Giménez, who represents a district with a large Jewish population, described Farrakhan as a notorious anti-Semite and criticized any public official who venerated him.
Bowman’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the taxpayer-funded mural. Bowman had previously acknowledged Farrakhan’s antisemitic comments but argued that the local community should have the power to decide the mural’s fate.
This is not the first time Bowman has faced controversy regarding his support for radical activists. In 2014, he honored a radical Black activist and convicted murderer during a special project at a New York City middle school he founded. The project included former Rep. Cynthia McKinney, known for her antisemitic views and promotion of conspiracy theories.
The inclusion of Farrakhan on the mural and Bowman’s support for it have sparked intense criticism from Jewish activists and politicians alike. They argue that it is unacceptable to glorify someone with such a history of hate and antisemitism. The debate surrounding the mural reflects the ongoing struggle to address and combat antisemitism in society.
