The Heart of the Debate Over Jordan Neely’s Death

Welcome to Up for Debate. Each week, Conor Friedersdorf rounds up timely conversations and solicits reader responses to one thought-provoking question. Later, he publishes some thoughtful replies. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Last week, I asked about the killing of Jordan Neely in the New York City subway and associated debates. Reading diverse opinions can be useful for trying to figure out where justice lies. A trial will best serve that end in this case, but additionally, I believe that it’s important for Americans to better understand one another’s thinking, and I hope this roundup helps on this matter.

Rob focused on the deceased:

Neely’s death alone disturbs me more than anything else. While I feel righteous anger and could easily rail against a host of contributors to this outcome, my sadness is deeper than any other reaction. Neely is a person with a tragic past who ended up being too crazy to take care of himself or make use of the help he was offered. He could be scary, threatening, and, at times, violent. It’s possible that his whole life was an exercise in running away from the death of his mother. Trouble is, he got lost.

I don’t wish to romanticize him, but to pay respects to his life, an easily forgotten cipher in the big city. However