Following the acquittal of Daniel Penny in the death of Jordan Neely, outgoing Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) published a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) directed at "White people," igniting a firestorm of criticism.
The incident, which occurred on a New York City subway on May 1, 2023, involved Penny restraining Neely, a homeless man with a history of mental illness and violence, who was reportedly making threats. Neely subsequently died, and Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide.
Bowman's posts expressed outrage over the verdict and delved into broader issues of race and justice. He questioned why he continued to engage with White people, accusing them of hypocrisy and complicity in white supremacy. He cited historical instances of violence against Black individuals, including Rodney King, Eric Garner, and George Floyd, adding Neely to the list and asserting that he posed no threat.
Bowman also asked White people how many times they had witnessed a White man killed on camera, claiming the answer was "never." This statement drew immediate pushback, with some users highlighting the highly publicized murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The congressman's remarks sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many accusing him of racism and employing divisive rhetoric. Critics included journalists, authors, and political commentators, who questioned the appropriateness of addressing an entire racial group in such a manner. Some also pointed to the irony of Bowman’s message given his own recent controversies, including his censure for pulling a fire alarm in the House and his use of profanity in a rant against AIPAC. Bowman lost his primary election earlier in the summer.
