Jussie Smollett will face six charges in Chicago for allegedly staging a racially anti-gay motivated attack by MAGA supporters. The fictitious attack occurred in the wee hours of a freezing cold morning in Chicago on January 29, 2019.
The hit show Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Armstrong shook up of the world of television. Jussie’s gift of song and instrumental abilities struck exquisite and award winning performances. The weekly wait was well worth the anticipation of the week’s new episode.
BLM vs. MAGA
In 2019, Black Lives Matter and Make America Great Again (MAGA) groups created a pre-war election that didn’t end so well for some of its participants. One participant in particular, Jussie Smollett. He maneuvered his way from riveting television performances to standing before a judge.
America’s upheaval of racial adversity still stifled the Black experience despite superficial laws put in place to eradicate the issues.
Protests of Black people in black shirts and red hats on white contenders make history as one of the most deplorable and juvenile debates in the 21st century.
Trump’s group of fans who support hate crimes against Black people hit alarming rates right before his 2020 election win. Protesters at rallies wore red flags and chanted racial slurs and oppressive gestures without shame.
Jussie’s Anger, Jussie’s Retaliation
In the midst of all of the madness and adversity, Black people’s rage unseen and unheard took a detrimental toll over time. Anger causes one to do the unthinkable. Jussie Smollett chose violence. In fact, he hired two very robust brothers to tie him up.
Alternatively, according to NPR, on January 22, Smollett received a threatening letter. On the 29th, he reported an attack. Events then on reveal that the attack was staged by Smollett, revealed by the two brothers. The two he appointed to execute the crime. On the 20th of February, Empire dropped his character.
Consequently, Smollett’s actions leads to a disorderly conduct charge. Charges were dropped; however, Chicago demands payment for damages. The city of Chicago sued Smollett. Brothers for hire in the hoax also sued Smollett’s legal team, according to NPR.
Bad Decisions, Bad Image
Jussie is human above all, and we all make mistakes. However, it is up to us to rectify those wrongs. It is a sore sight to see another brother in the media for something negative, for something senseless. Nevertheless, what are the times we live in contributing to our mental health? America induces severe trauma within the Black experience that is not addressed well enough to reason with incidents like this.
The Denver Post reported that the Empire actor staged the anti-gay hoax attack to further his career for publicity. Decidedly, the judge chooses not to dismiss the case. Jury selection in the trial begins on Nov. 29.
