Our schools, like so many parts of our infrastructure, are crumbling across the country. Healing our schools can and should be central to our fight to achieve environmental, racial and economic justice.

In this quote, Jamaal Bowman, a U.S. Congressman and advocate for education reform, draws attention to the deteriorating condition of schools in the United States, which he describes as part of the broader issue of crumbling infrastructure. Bowman suggests that the state of schools—often marked by outdated facilities, insufficient resources, and inadequate maintenance—affects not only education but also plays a central role in achieving environmental, racial, and economic justice. He implies that improving schools is not just an educational issue, but one that intersects with broader social and economic inequalities.

Bowman’s call to heal our schools is rooted in the belief that education is a critical foundation for addressing societal challenges. In this context, he sees the restoration of schools as a way to address long-standing issues of racial inequity, where minority communities often bear the brunt of poor infrastructure. Additionally, he ties this cause to environmental justice, noting that schools in disadvantaged areas often suffer from inadequate facilities that fail to meet modern environmental standards, contributing to further inequalities. Improving schools is, in Bowman’s view, integral to fostering an environment of fairness and opportunity.

The origin of this quote is tied to Bowman’s own background and political priorities. As a former educator and a member of the Progressive Caucus in Congress, he has been a vocal advocate for addressing systemic issues in public education. His work and activism focus on promoting equity in education and tackling the intersections of economic inequality, environmental degradation, and racial injustice. Bowman’s approach emphasizes that the condition of schools is a clear reflection of broader societal inequities that need to be addressed for genuine progress.

Ultimately, Bowman’s quote underscores the interconnectedness of education, social justice, and infrastructure reform. By framing the improvement of schools as part of the broader fight for justice, he advocates for a holistic approach to tackling the disparities that persist in American society. Healing schools, in his view, is not just about education reform but about creating a more equitable and sustainable society where every community has the opportunity to thrive.