Following the acquittal of Marine veteran Daniel Penny, soon-to-be-former Congressman Jamaal Bowman ignited a firestorm on X (formerly Twitter) with a thread addressed to "White People." Bowman, who lost his Democratic primary bid in New York's 16th Congressional District and will leave Congress at the end of his term, expressed his frustration and questioned the efficacy of continued dialogue on racial issues.

Bowman's initial post set the tone, expressing weariness yet a lingering hope for change and a call to fight white supremacy. He emphasized the importance of community action and alliances in the pursuit of justice.

The congressman, reflecting on his 48 years, cited numerous instances of police brutality and killings, including the cases of Rodney King, George Floyd, and, most recently, Jordan Neely. He characterized Neely's death as an unjustified killing despite Neely being subdued, highlighting the lack of accountability in such cases. Penny's acquittal in the Neely case served as the catalyst for Bowman's thread.

Bowman challenged white individuals to consider their own experiences with witnessing similar incidents involving white victims, emphasizing the disparity in the frequency and consequences of such events. He connected this perceived difference to the pervasive nature of white supremacy, describing it as a widespread issue affecting various demographics and political affiliations.

The thread sparked considerable reaction, with Bowman suggesting that the strong responses validated his points. He highlighted the irony of the perceived emotional distress caused by his words compared to the trauma experienced by Black communities facing consistent injustice and lack of accountability. He concluded by expressing his resilience and reliance on the strength of his community.