An Ode to Jussie Smollett – A True Freedom Fighter?

Jussie Smollett (Photo by Brian Cassella-Pool/Getty Images)

The Jussie Smollett saga is lastly coming to an finish – or so it appears. After a three-year drama, a decide slapped the previous Empire actor with 150 days in jail together with a collection of fines for staging a homophobic and racist hate crime. He blamed the assault on Trump supporters sporting MAGA hats, and shortly after the information broke, the small print of Smollett’s story had been so sketchy even Stevie Wonder might see that one thing wasn’t proper with this image.

Jussie Smollett (Photo by Brian Cassella-Pool/Getty Images)

After the decide handed down the sentence, Smollett made certain everybody knew he was going to take his personal life. “I am innocent, and I am not suicidal,” he declared. “If anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself and you must all know that.”

Is the actor considering of pulling a faux Epstein and searching to exit in a blaze of glory? Or maybe he has dust on the Clintons he plans to launch throughout his incarceration. Of course, additionally it is doable the washed-up hoaxer simply desires to get consideration, which is why he concocted the hate crime stunt within the first place.

But what if America is this example unsuitable? What if Smollett is being wrongly punished? He appears to suppose that is the case, in accordance to TMZ:

“Sources with direct knowledge and in constant touch with the ‘Empire’ actor tell TMZ … Jussie fully expected to get jail time. He told his defense team before sentencing he felt he would be treated more harshly than other defendants convicted of a non-violent crime … all because of the color of his skin. He thinks it’s more evidence of systemic racism in the judicial system.”

Others appear to agree with Smollett’s sensible evaluation and expressed their outrage at what they argue is unfair punishment. His sister, Jurnee, took to Instagram with a put up that includes a black sq. with the hashtag #FreeJussie. “Black Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate of white Americans,” she wrote.

“Jussie is innocent,” she continued. “And…you don’t have to believe in his innocence to believe he should be free. #FreeJussie #StopLockingUpOurPeople.” However, Jurnee forgot to present information detailing the sentences white Americans usually face once they pull of elaborate hate crime hoaxes. How peculiar.

Smollett’s brother, Jocqui, took difficulty with the truth that Jussie was being held in a psych ward. “So Jussie is currently in a psych ward at the Cook County Jail. What’s very concerning is that there was a note attached to his paperwork today saying that he’s at risk of self-harm,” he wrote on an Instagram put up.

Jocqui Smollett (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Jocqui insisted his brother just isn’t vulnerable to doing something dangerous to himself. “I want to make it clear that he is in no way, shape, or form at risk of self harm. He wants to let folks know that he is very stable, he is very strong, he is very healthy and ready to take on the challenge that… has been put up against him,” he wrote.

Of course, one would possibly count on Smollett’s household to come to his protection. But even people who usually are not associated to the actor have expressed righteous indignation at his incarceration. Actress Indya Moore additionally took to Instagram, which appears to be the social media hub of the #FreeJussie motion, to specific solidarity with the beleaguered hoaxer. “I recognize that You are so strong, beyond measure and external foresight. you are so brave,” she wrote, additionally insisting that the actor “should not be in Jail.”

Kendrick Sampson, one other actor, shared Moore’s put up and wrote:

“Breonna Taylor’s murderer, and an endless list of other cops, can’t be held accountable…but Jussie is locked in a CAGE for allegedly lying to police? How many Karens have lied to the police UNDER OATH a la Emmett Till with no accountability?”

Taraji P. Henson, who starred alongside Smollett on “Empire,” posted a message saying, “I am not here to debate you on his innocence, but we can agree that the punishment does not fit the crime.” It seems that some on the left, unwilling to acknowledge Smollett’s guilt, have gone from “he didn’t do it,” to “okay, he did it, but y’all are still racist.”

And maybe we’re. Perhaps persons are so deeply ingrained of their racism they will’t see that the actor was attempting to do a public service. They don’t appear to grasp the complexities of the message he was attempting to ship when he paid two Nigerian brothers to don crimson MAGA hats and tough him up a bit. Sure, this was a faux hate crime, however what about all of the actual hate crimes that plague black Americans every day? Never thoughts that this stage of deception solely makes it more durable for them. As fellow faux information peddler Michael Wolff stated, “if it rings true, it is true.”

In truth, that’s most likely the difficulty proper there. Smollett, a famous political scholar, was merely influenced by Wolff’s phrases, so it’s actually the creator’s fault. Shouldn’t he be punished as nicely? Where is the Cancel Culture Community while you want them?

In the tip, Smollett probably received’t serve his full sentence. The fines he has to pay are however a pittance to him. Other than his profession being ruined, Smollett will make out fairly properly after having pulled the nation by an enormous hate crime hoax. But you realize what they are saying: Being woke means by no means having to say you’re sorry.

~ Read extra from Jeff Charles.