Rep. Jamaal Bowman (DN.Y.) on Monday accused his primary opponent of perpetuating racial stereotypes in a heated primary debate.
Bowman, a two-term black progressive leader, is facing centrist Westchester County Executive George Latimer. The two are vying for the Democratic nomination in the race for New York’s 16th Congressional District.
Bowman and Latimer engaged in a debate full of interruptions and sarcastic comments on Monday, including Bowman’s accusations that Latimer was propagating racist tropes.
When Latimer said Bowman is an “ineffective congressman” because he argues too much, Bowman interrupted to say he was “passionate.”
But Latimer responded: “You need to talk to them like normal people – you can’t preach and yell at them on the steps of the Capitol.”
He then told the audience, “He is ineffective for exactly that reason.”
Bowman raised his arms and accused Latimer of spreading the racist “angry black man” stereotype.
“The angry black man, the angry black man,” Bowman said. “It’s the southern strategy in the north.”
The “angry black man” stereotype refers to the idea that black men are brutal, dangerous, and unable to control their emotions, which makes them difficult to work with. The “angry black woman” trope affects women in similar ways.
Monday wasn’t the first time Bowman accused opponents of spreading racist rhetoric.
Last year, he accused Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.) of dangerous rhetoric after she said she felt “threatened” by his “aggressive mannerisms.”
“Black men continue to be characterized as aggressive and threatening when we are passionate and outspoken,” Bowman said at the time. “They’re not just using dog whistles, they’re using megaphones. It’s dangerous, but we ALL must continue to speak truth to power.”
The race between Bowman and Latimer is one of the most closely watched Democratic primaries in the country. Voters in the district will go to the polls on June 25th.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
