This week, justice failed Jordan Neely, a young man whose plea for food and water was met not with compassion but with a fatal chokehold that took his life. The verdict in the murder case against his assailant serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the profound failures of our systems to meet even the most basic human needs.
I can’t help but wonder if the verdict would have been different had the roles been reversed. If Jordan Neely had been housed and Daniel Penny homeless, it’s hard not to believe that accountability for the loss of life would have followed. Jordan Neely was a Black man, and now his name is heartbreakingly added to the long and painful list of Black lives taken without consequence.
As a Black man, I’ve been taught that our first fight was to prove that we were human beings–it’s clear the fight is still ongoing.
The harsh reality of homelessness amplifies the struggles of marginalization and discrimination. Across the country, communities are adopting cruel measures that criminalize homelessness and poverty rather than addressing their root causes.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Johnson v. Grants Pass this past June, over 100 laws have been enacted, with more than 68 pending, that make it a crime to sleep outdoors—even when no shelter is available. These laws strip away the dignity of our most vulnerable and further entrench systemic injustice.
Jordan Neely fell through the cracks of the foster care system, the mental health system, the homeless service system, and the judicial system.
Jordan’s death highlights the ridiculous decision in the Grants Pass case, which basically stated that criminalization does not cause harm. There is no greater harm than death. Jordan was arrested multiple times, and not one of those times resulted in housing.
Jordan Neely’s life and death necessitate a broader examination of how society can better care for its most vulnerable members. Our communities need improved mental health services, housing and support, and systemic changes in how crises are handled in public. A more equitable environment is essential to creating a safer community for everyone.
Jordan Neely reminds us why we must never give up the fight for housing justice. He deserved so much more than that subway car—he deserved a safe, stable, and affordable home where his dreams could thrive and his talent could shine.
Jordan should have been dancing through life, not struggling to survive. America, we can and must do better.
Together, we can build a future where every life is valued, every dream is nurtured, and no one is left behind.
Written by: Donald Whitehead, Executive Director at the National Coalition for the HomelessÂ
