It was May 2023 when on a routine subway train a man was in mental distress. This man who frequented the trains and surrounding blocks was known. Most ignored him since his outbursts were genuinely harmless. Jordan Neely an African American man was known to have had suffered hardships. But also, was well known for preforming, singing and genuinely trying to survive in the city that never sleeps. And on a ride where he was vocally upset about being hungry, he paid for his outburst with his life.
I covered this on a Bonnet Chronicles a few months back, the upset and outrage I felt at people ignoring acts of "vigilantism" under the guise of "well this person could be a danger." Even if what Mr. Neely was shouting seemed dangerous, he had been sitting in his seat just being loud. Was it obnoxious? Yes, as someone who grew up in NYC you got used to people who were either unhoused or just unstable being vocally loud on buses and trains. My Walkman (upgraded to disc man by high school) helped tune out many said outbursts. So, I could not understand why Daniel Penny decided to take matters into his own hands and choke the very life out of Jordan Neely. My fears this could spark more attacks on mentally ill financially struggling people in my hometown grew. And now with this acquittal, I am quite certain this will red-light worse treatment of people already unseen and uncared for by my city.
Some note that Daniel Penny a former military man was going through his own struggles with PTSD. Even if that is the case, does it justify his putting Jordan Neely into a choke hold that would end Mr. Neely's life? Why is it that his mental health was given precedence over the victim of his actions? When you look at the current climate of our country, the way things consistently measure up, if the shoe had been on the other foot, if Jordan Neely had choked Daniel Perry to death after Daniel shouted or even yet tried to threaten someone on the train, would we be acquitting him? I think we all sadly know the answer to this would be a resounding NO! But here in America, even something as equal opportunity as suffering from mental health is often still viewed under the lenses of Jim Crow. Whereas one man's alleged struggles with it due to his lack of melanin was weighed justified over the melanin man who was in distress.
And because of this, NYC in my opinion has greenlit more horrible incidents like this to occur again. Our societies lack of social value on my community's lives is still very loud and clear. No Justice, No Peace.
Tynisa (Kalarigamerchic) is an independent writer and author of the novels Axiom, and Taara Destiny’s Chosen.
Spell check, thesaurus and get an editor to read through these JFC.
Another excellent, thoughtful article. Thank you so much for your contributions to the Left is Right community!