There are just so many questions about this one. On Thursday February 21st, 35 year old actor Jussie Smollett was indicted by a grand jury on suspicion of falsifying a police report based on his attack in January. He was reportedly attacked near his Chicago apartment by two MAGA supporters. The attackers hurled homophobic and racial slurs at him before leaving him bruised with a noose around his neck. Many were horrified, while others met his story with skepticism. As with most high profile cases, social media became abuzz with critics and self appointed investigators who claimed that the details didn’t add up. Journalists rushed to the possibility of him lying so fast they posted unsubstantiated statements. Media outlets printed and retracted statements about unconfirmed “sources” who said that he was lying, and the police didn’t believe his story. One has to wonder how there were so many “leaks” from an ongoing investigation. It was…odd. What was also odd is the sheer disbelief so many had.
The skepticism that many had for Smollett’s story is the same energy they had for the victims of R. Kelly and Bill Cosby. It’s the same skepticism they had for Terry Crews. And now, you have those who are at best mocking, and at worst, celebrating Smollett’s indictment. It has to be asked, what are we so happy for? Is it because one of your wild conspiracy theories regarding Black celebrities may have finally come true? Bill Cosby’s arrest and trial was a travesty, but in this case justice prevails? Fabolous never did anything wrong, it’s all a lie, but believe what the police say in this case? The media, record labels, and police consistently conspire against Chris Brown, but in this case the police are telling the truth?
This is the same Chicago Police Department that acquitted three police officers for their cover up of the Laquan McDonald shooting. The same police department whose probes by the FBI revealed widespread corruption and violations. There are inconsistencies with the police account of their investigation and claims that the attack was staged.
Others are claiming that if he is indeed lying, that it will make it harder for people to believe other victims of homophobic or racist violence. However, let’s be real. Most people weren’t going to believe them anyway. Most victims of sexual, gender, and race based crimes are met with immense skepticism. People from groups privileged enough to never have to experience violence of this nature believe that it’s mostly a myth. So this incident won’t make progress any more difficult than its already been.
Moreover, his indictment and possible lie doesn’t erase the reality of LGBTQ based violence. It also doesn’t erase the reality that Trump’s MAGA phenomenon has united some of the worst of our society under a brand of virulent hatred. It’s why we believed him in the first place. So at best, if it does come out that this was staged, he should apologize to his supporters.
However, we need to be clear. The truth of the case, regardless of whether its some elaborate hoax or a brutal attack, is horrible. There are absolutely no winners here. There’s nothing to laugh at, or feel joy about.
