Actor, singer, and now film director, Jussie Smollett most recently brought to life the early ‘90s Black gay novel B-Boy Blues in a film adaptation released in November.
Our good brother Jussie Smollett is making headlines this week after being sentenced to 150 days in county jail and ordered to pay a fine of $145,000 after a jury found him guilty on five counts of felony disorderly conduct for allegedly staging a hate crime against himself.
In case you somehow missed this spectacle, in January 2019, our good brother filed a police report in Chicago stating he’d been the victim of a violent, racist and homophobic attack. The entire unfolding of this event is absolutely bizarre, and as the saga continues on now three years later, I’m unsure exactly what to believe. But what I, or anyone else believes to be true is beside the point.
Whether or not Jussie staged all of this to take “advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," as Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said… so what?! How many false police reports have been filed against Black and Brown people since God knows how long? How many tax dollars have been wasted by police departments across the country while officers did far, far worse than cry wolf?
“Chicago PD is making an example out of Jussie and it’s not right...This is not the instance to ensure justice is served. ”
Chicago PD is making an example out of Jussie and it’s not right. A slap on the wrist and community service will be just as well. This is not the instance to ensure justice is served.
My heart goes out to Jussie, his family, and all those who love and support him. We’re rooting for you, Jussie. 🖤