Brooklyn School Embroiled in Fresh Controversy Over First Lady's Artwork
A Brooklyn middle school that previously made national headlines for denying a Holocaust survivor the opportunity to address students is facing renewed criticism. This time, the controversy centers on the inclusion of artwork created by New York City's First Lady, Rama Duwaji, in a seventh-grade social change art course.
Artwork Featured in Activism-Themed Curriculum
The Math & Science Exploratory School Public School 447 in Boerum Hill reportedly incorporated illustrations by Duwaji, who is married to socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, into its "Art for Social Change" curriculum. Duwaji is known for creating socialist-inspired artwork and maintaining staunch pro-Palestinian political views.
The specific pieces used in classroom materials included:
- A drawing depicting three women surrounded by flames with the inscription "Sooner or later people will rise against tyranny"
- An illustration showing three women locking arms accompanied by the caption "They carry the pulse of protest"
- An image of a crouching woman appearing to cry, which Duwaji has described as representing a "stillness of displacement"
Background of Controversial Social Media Posts
The artwork controversy follows recent revelations about offensive social media posts allegedly made by Duwaji during her teenage years and early twenties. According to reports, these resurfaced posts included:
- Alleged use of racial and homophobic slurs
- Statements claiming Tel Aviv "shouldn't exist in the first place"
- Characterizations of Israelis as "occupiers"
- Shared content blaming the creation of Al-Qaeda on "white people"
Duwaji has not publicly commented on these specific allegations regarding her past social media activity.
Previous Controversy Involving Holocaust Survivor
This is not the first time MS 447 has faced public scrutiny. Last year, the school administration drew significant criticism for initially denying Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann the opportunity to speak to students.
Principal Arin Rusch expressed concerns about Steigmann's "messages around Israel and Palestine" and suggested exploring alternative speakers, according to reports at the time. The decision prompted condemnation from various quarters, including former Mayor Eric Adams.
Following intense public backlash, Steigmann was eventually invited to speak at the school in February. He described his subsequent conversation with Principal Rusch as cordial following his presentation.
Parental Concerns and School Response
Some parents have voiced concerns that the school's curriculum appears overly politicized and favors particular ideological perspectives. One parent expressed worry that the institution was "not teaching in a critical manner, and just forcing a political ideology on students."
According to a notice sent to parents last fall, the social change art unit encouraged students to examine "their own deep culture, their identities, their interests and activities, and social justice issues." The curriculum reportedly included examination of various artists alongside Duwaji, including Misty Copeland, Kendrick Lamar, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Company.
Mayor's Office Response and Additional Context
Mayor Mamdani has addressed concerns about his wife's artwork appearing in materials alongside controversial figures. He stated that Duwaji's work was commissioned through a third party and that she was unaware of inflammatory comments made by Palestinian-American author Susan Abulhawa, whose work was included in the same publication.
The mayor described Abulhawa's rhetoric as "reprehensible" and "patently unacceptable," while emphasizing that his wife maintains a private role without formal positions in his campaign or at City Hall.
Duwaji's illustrations have also appeared in an essay published by the Slow Factory, part of a compilation edited by Abulhawa that tells the story of a woman displaced during the Gaza conflict.
The ongoing controversies at MS 447 highlight continuing debates about political content in public school curricula and the appropriate boundaries for educational materials in diverse urban school settings.
