Newspapers are very careful about using the words “Democrat” and “black” in headlines. But on Wednesday, upon news that a New York subway rider had killed a fellow rider in a chokehold, the Washington Post put race right up front. Style guides suggest leaving race out of it unless there’s some compelling reason to include it, and the Post must have felt it had a compelling reason.
A 30-year-old Black man was killed on a New York subway this week after a fellow rider, who is White, confronted the man when he was screaming and placed him in a chokehold for several minutes, according to a witness’s account and video of the encounter. https://t.co/8Evabzvagx
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 3, 2023
Was there a racial component to the conflict? Is the alleged killer a white supremacist? Probably not … but there’s a chance.
Timothy Bella reports:
Police say witnesses described the 30-year-old, who has not been publicly identified by authorities, as acting in a “hostile and erratic manner.” The man was shouting on the F train that he was hungry and thirsty, [freelance journalist Juan Alberto] Vazquez said, but did not attack anyone before he was placed in a chokehold.
“I don’t have food, I don’t have a drink, I’m fed up,” the man screamed, according to Vazquez. “I don’t mind going to jail and getting life in prison. I’m ready to die.”
The 30-year-old man was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He has been identified by local media as Jordan Neely, who had performed on the subway as a Michael Jackson impersonator. A New York Police Department spokesman told The Washington Post that authorities will identify the 30-year-old man “pending family notification.”
The 24-year-old man, who has not been publicly identified, was taken in for questioning but released without charges, according to police. The 24-year-old is a Marine Corps veteran, according to the New York Daily News. The man declined to comment to the New York Post.
“I’m ready to die” were his last words? A Michael Jackson impersonator (like Ralph Northam)?
A 30-year-old man was killed on a New York subway this week after a fellow rider confronted the man when he was screaming and placed him in a chokehold for several minutes, according to a witness’s account and video of the encounter.
— Kevin Lance Murray (KevinLanceMurray.eth) (@K_L_M) May 3, 2023
The race of the victim and the perpetrator adds nothing to the story; why would you include this information? Also, if the roles were reversed would you still include race info?
— Kevin Lance Murray (KevinLanceMurray.eth) (@K_L_M) May 3, 2023
If the roles were reversed you wouldn’t be reading this post.
So a guy was screaming at another guy who told him to stop? Doesn't deserve death, but I'd want to see how bad the chokehold was before I condemn.
— bobbob1016 (@bobbob1016) May 3, 2023
“A 30-year-old Black man that has been previously arrested over 45+ times for violent offenses against fellow passengers was killed on a New York subway this week after a fellow rider, who is White, confronted the man when he was screaming and placed him in a chokehold for…
— Jarred The Wise (@jarredthegeek) May 3, 2023
Why is race one of the most important details? What else are you leaving out?
— Millennialtics (@Millennialtics) May 3, 2023
Race and identity is suddenly important again. https://t.co/iLvJdRXxot
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) May 3, 2023
Compare this with the framing of "an attack caused by an SUV"
— Steve Horvitz (@StevenHorvitz) May 3, 2023
I wonder if they’ll do this for the current shooter today in Atlanta.
— Joyful Servant (@joyful_servant) May 3, 2023
"Well we can't cover that Atlanta shooting anymore, do we have anything else?"
"White guy strangled out a hostile black vagrant on a NYC subway."
"Perfect. Sound the alarms. We need full blanket coverage."
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) May 3, 2023
Meanwhile, a 5 time deported illegal kills 5 people and not one mention of his race or deportations…
— kennayy 🇺🇸🇺🇸🍌 (@kennaayyy) May 3, 2023
Just like the “Texas man” line used instead of illegal immigrant who shot 5 dead
— Dr.Amen Aguitarplayer Randy Rhoads B.S. (@RhoadsisGod) May 3, 2023
Why are black & white capitalized?
— Dr. Måjestyk (@wretchedcretin) May 3, 2023
Believe it or not, the Associated Press Style Guide in 2020 changed its guidance to capitalize Black: “There was clear desire and reason to capitalize Black. Most notably, people who are Black have strong historical and cultural commonalities, even if they are from different parts of the world and even if they now live in different parts of the world. That includes the shared experience of discrimination due solely to the color of one’s skin.” The Washington Post broke with the AP Style Guide, however, on not capitalizing white, which avoids “subtly conveying legitimacy” to white supremacy.
You capitalized “white.” Gross.
— 🫃🏼💉🇺🇦Hollaria Briden, Esq. (@HollyBriden) May 3, 2023
Why are you making this about race and not about subway safety? Many of us are sick and tired of being harassed, attacked, assaulted on the subways.
— Carl James Grindley (@CJGrindley) May 3, 2023
“New York has a brand.”
Reminder that WaPo wants mass transit to be shelter and transport for violent criminals.
— Ron Bassilian (@Ron4California) May 3, 2023
Could this headline be any worse? 😬
— Adele Scalia (@AdeleScalia) May 3, 2023
Could it be any more transparent?
Here’s the headline for the Atlanta shooter, by the way:
Breaking news: One person was killed and at least three were injured in a shooting at an Atlanta hospital facility on Wednesday afternoon. The suspect remains at large.https://t.co/N1GzOTEIPs
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 3, 2023
What color is the suspect? Why not tell us?
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Related:
NYT carefully considers the social justice angle in story of black man attacking a white woman and killing her dog https://t.co/PZBxdLrdFu
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 7, 2022
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