From the Headlines: An Unrighteous Homicide
Every human being is born with inalienable human dignity. You wouldn’t know it in America. Every day our news screams violence, murder, and mayhem. Why is this story any different?
Because it speaks to man’s inhumanity to man with impunity.
This story cries out for righteous justice.
On May 1, 2023, Jordan Neely was a passenger on the F train going into Manhattan. He was upset and frustrated. He was hungry, thirsty, and homeless. He pleaded with fellow passengers to help him. Things seemed to escalate, subway riders restrained him. Video footage showed a 24-year-old white former marine holding Neely in a chokehold for several minutes while another rider held the supine man’s arms. Jordan Neely died as a result. The city’s medical examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide. No charges have been filed for Jordan Neely’s death.
Why?
Because Jordan Neely was a black, unhoused person with mental illness. He wasn’t worthy of having his human dignity recognized.
That’s the message.
He had three strikes against him. He was black, he was homeless, and he was suffering from mental illness.
Every story about his horribly sad, and unnecessary death says these three things. The police publicized his criminal history as well. No compassion for the dead here…
The message is loud and clear: it’s okay to kill the least of God’s people.
When I read this story one thing jumped out at me.
He was hungry, thirsty, and homeless.
For this, he was choked to death.
Are we humans or savages? Come on people, where is our compassion?
Could no one offer him help?
A bottle of water?
Something to eat that they had?
Even a kind word?
No one tried to stop this… they just watched.
What is wrong with people?
If just one person spoke up,
One person had offered compassion,
or One person said a kind word…
This probably wouldn’t have happened.
Jordan Neely wasn’t brandishing a gun,
He didn’t wave around a weapon…
He showed he was vulnerable and needy.
And for this, he was denied mercy
from EVERYONE!
I believe God had mercy upon Jordan Neely when his life’s breath left his body.
His suffering soul came home to rest with the Lord because he had inalienable human dignity bestowed by his maker.