“...upended flag, hued nations in distress
Resonant sound, unpigmented ears ring
Peaked white hoods fear evocative protests.”
Dissension- B. Butterfly
The White Nationalists in Charlottesville, the sentencing of Jason Van Dyke, the Covington boys, and the latest act as Senator Corey Brooks describes it, “attempted modern-day LYNCHING” of Jussie Smollett. Yes, I meant to capitalize that word. It’s too much.
Jussie Smollett was beaten, doused in an unknown substance, had a NOOSE put around his neck, and called a NIGGER. One of the cowards yelled, “This is MAGA country.” Even typing that phrase makes my stomach turn. Also calling what happened to Smollett a “possible” hate crime, instead of “apparent” (Yes, the use of those adjectives matter.), is another wound added to our communities of color and the LGBTQ communities. It does not surprise me how everyone is rushing to judgement about what happened to Smollett. The media and the persons investigating this case are spinning his story in a way that casts doubt. The same people who tried to chastise us for jumping to conclusions for a snippet of the video of the Covington boys, are the same people who are jumping to conclusions about Smollett and want us to condemn him before the investigation is complete. The hypocrisy is fucking outrageous! It still does not negate the fact that it is 2019, and we are still being robbed of our humanity.
Society has been complicit by letting the tone of hatred and divisiveness dominate the social and political discourse of this country. Therefore, incidents like this will continue to happen and hate will continue to exist.
The abhorrent behavior displayed by these racists and bigots, has been refracted through history. During the Jim Crow era, the number of lynchings rose following the emancipation of free black people. It was meant to terrorize and intimidate former slaves and became the expression of white supremacy. This still resonates today. “MAGA country” is the new chant for “white power” and as Alyssa Milano said, “The red MAGA hat is the new white hood”. The noose placed around Smollett’s neck is an attempt to send a message to the black and gay communities. We got your message and perhaps will respond accordingly...by any means necessary. However one perceives that previous statement is one’s business.
There are never any real consequences for most of these despicable acts. Black people who dare to use their voices as a tool to demand basic human rights and refusing to submit to unfair treatment, usually get attacked or killed. We’ve seen it happen with Dr. King, Fred Hampton, Medgar Evers, and many others. Gratefully, we are talking about Jussie Smollett in the present tense, as an activist who embodies many of the qualities of the aforementioned leaders. The ease in which the alt-right continues this sordid history by supporting Trump’s divisive rhetoric is beyond me, but it does not surprise me.
There has also been a rise in hate crimes against LGBTQ people. The shooting rampage at Pulse, a gay club in Orlando, FL nightclub almost 3 years ago was a blatant example of homophobic hate, however, many politicians were reluctant to define it as a hate crime. According to the “Crisis of Hate” report released by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs in January, 2017 was the deadliest in recent history for LGBTQ people in the U.S. The report tracked at least 52 people who were killed as a result of hateful anti-LGBTQ violence in 2017. There are 52 weeks in a year. That is an average of one homicide per week. The 52 victims were transgender women; queer, bi, or gay cisgender men; and an overwhelming number of people of color.
Jussie Smollett was attacked for existing in both of these identities. The uniqueness of these marginalized identities makes someone like Smollett a target of discriminatory legislation and violence. NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson contends, "As this rhetoric continues to bleed into our everyday lives, dangerous behavior will continue to place many law-abiding individuals at risk. “ I would like to add a little more specificity to the last part of Johnson’s statement,
“many law-abiding individuals of color, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and queer, are at risk.”
How can we use our voices without the fear of retaliation? How do we deal with racists, xenophobes, bigots, and homophobes without being reactionary? What is the best way to protect ourselves? How much more tolerant do we have to be?
“Racism and homophobia are real conditions of all our lives in this place and time. I urge each one of us here to reach down into that deep place of knowledge inside herself/[himself] and touch that terror and loathing of any difference that lives here. See whose face it wears. Then the personal as the political can begin to illuminate all our choices.”
― Audre Lorde
I am sending my love and well wishes to Jussie Smollett. I am hoping he will pull through the mental trauma that this heinous act has inflicted upon him. May he emerge as a stronger person, activist, and actor. May the fire inside of him burn brighter than the fire around him. May his voice have such an overpowering resonance, it drowns out the vitriol of hate against our communities! He IS a warrior whose light cannot be dimmed!
Peace.
Black Butterfly
Too late bitch, the assailants were his friends and it was staged: http://www.cwbchicago.com/2019/02/smollett-two-others-in-active.html
ReplyDeleteWelcome Sabrina. I'm glad I evoked your curiosity. In response to your, "Too late bitch", this was posted almost two weeks ago. I always believe the victims until proven otherwise. While the case was and still is under investigation, the CPD even said that Jussie's story was consistent, he was cooperative, and that he is a "victim". If it turns out it was staged, then it is very unfortunate and I will write a post about it. However, my position on the tone of hatred and divisiveness in this country, and how it contributes to these violent acts still stands. There are many people who identify as black and gay, whose stories we do not hear about, that are attacked for merely existing in these identities. Thanks for the colorful commentary!
DeleteHe was never cooperative; he was lying the whole time.
DeleteHello JT. This whole thing is one big clusterfuck, from the potential suspects, to the anonymous sources, to the abhorrent reporting from news outlets wanting to be the first to break the story, and all the while CPD is or WAS calling him a victim. Also because the country has been at a fever pitch on issues such as race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. CERTAIN aspects of Jussie's account did not seem too far-fetched. As a native of Chicago, there's a lack of trust for everyone-CPD and victims. I am just waiting to see what unfolds. Once CPD confirms it was all a set up, I WILL write my thoughts (I won't be holding back any punches) on it, as it would be a HUGE injustice to people of color and LGBTQ people. Thanks JT!
DeleteI appreciate the thoughtful response.
DeleteThanks- JT
As the facts come to light, I too want #justiceforjussie. Like this emotional rant, far too many people were jumping on the bandwagon to blame white America, particularly the maga group. Instead of waiting, the implausible story was immediately accepted as gospel truth. As facts become known it is pretty funny to see the backtracking and excuses. Justice will be Jussie paying a hefty fine, paying for every single dollar that was expended on investigating this hoax and substantial jail time for both state and federal crimes. Instead of now screaming loud apologies you see politicians and celebrities quietly deleting tweets and distancing themselves from this liar. It would be nice to see their outrage directed towards Jussie with the same ugly words they were so anxious to believe.
ReplyDeleteI truly wish I lived in a country that would severely punish those who lie and waste resources while stirring up false racial tensions.
Hello Anonymous. I think as more facts come to light, the outrage will be redirected. However, I can only speak for myself. I am definitely not oblivious to the inconsistencies that are now coming to light. I am struggling with the "why". He does not have anything to gain by orchestrating this whole thing. If anything, it's a setback for real victims of these sorts of crimes. I am disillusioned by all of this. Thanks Anonymous.
DeleteI do commend this blogger for her replies to those of us who are angered at this terrible hoax and the fact that the left immediately jumped on the opportunity to blame Trump supporters.
ReplyDeleteInstead of hiding, this person is respectfully replying without name calling or excuses. The initial outrage should be magnified and directed towards Smollett. I will keep an eye out for an apology.
Thanks Anonymous. I think it's a learning experience for everyone. As I said before, I do think that some of the outrage IS shifting. I just hope that this situation does not affect the way we view other victims of these types of crimes.
DeleteI think it was obvious from the beginning what Jussie had to gain from this. He went from someone no one but a few who watched his obscure tv show has ever heard of to front page news and the poster child for the left. The number of prominent people who rushed to place him on the pedestal of victimhood was staggering. He became a household name and a beloved victim. Please remember your over the topreaction, it was mirrored by so many. He did this for attention and to be adored. He did this to rocket himself to fame. He was nothing but a third rate actor before this and he did receive the phenomenal attention he wanted. The rush to elevate him to martyrdom was prompt and widespread. Please rewatch his interview on this with a critical eye. The whole hoax was too pat and silly to imagine that these random or purposeful thugs mentione everything on his agenda and he even got to repeatedly being up that they mentioned his show. They ticked off every box . And that seemed plausible? The noose, which he kept on? That was especially a red flag. It would be a horrible trauma and you'd tear it away immediately. Not wear it like a stage prop for forty minutes while you waited for the cops. And just a few days later he was performing and dancing around with ease? After the supposed beating that bruised his ribs? You cannot do that physically. His story didn't add up. The cops could tell he was not acting in any way like a real victim but kept their mouths shut until they had proof. Can you imagine the outrage that would have been directed towards them if they had voiced skepticism early on?
ReplyDeleteAnyone who thought the story seemed off was labeled a homophobe bigot. There was no hesitation in pouncing on those who asked questions and believed the story sounded like someone had constructed this to hit every little jab at the right. It was over the top. An unbiased mind caught the tone of this as being off but wanted to hear the facts before voicing anything. Are you honest enough with yourself to recognize that your emotional response was biased and based on incomplete information? The excuse of believing the victim does not warrant the level of support you expressed.
I don't want to pick on you. I found you on a twitter feed and was taken aback by your blind support. You're in no way alone. Except in what I see as your sincere disappointment. I hope you will take this as an opportunity to learn and not be so quick to believe every story that fits your bias. I'm impressed with your calm and genuine replies. I believe you are truly saddened and dismayed and that shows an honesty that is rare and vulnerable.
Jussie ended whatever career he had with this move. He's embarrassed and alienated the groups he was trying to impress with his lies. He's angered those he initially lied about. He can kiss life as he knew it goodbye. His attempt at fame failed and he will be spending the foreseeable future trying to keep himself out of jail.
The absolute worst part of this is that he has added himself to the list of liars who made up stories to hurt the right. And that has a tragic outcome .It sets back the exact cause he was trying to bolster and makes us cautious of believing victims. It undermines every true victim and that's a terrible thing to do. Everyone is hurt by these lies
Good Morning Unknown. You're right about biases. I think that most people are very reactive to some of the headlines that they hear and read, especially when it concerns race, gender, sexual orientation, because we can all see ourselves in existing in one or two of these identities. There were a lot of people who called him a liar before all the facts came out as well. I knew there would be naysayers and that's ok. However , when some of these people would resort to name calling and saying things such as, lying fa**ot, it hurt my heart. As far as addressing the issue of my blind support, for me, Jussie represented my close friends and family members and their experiences. Knowing some of their experiences, made this personal for me. I'm just a passionate person who writes my thoughts. I am a personal blogger and not a journalist. Like I said in my aforementioned responses, once everything is out and if it turns out he is lying, my response will definitely be just as emotional, raw, and honest. As you said, it undermines true victims and that does not sit well with me. I am making the conscious decision to take a beat, and not react as quickly. So yes, this is an learning experience. The beautiful thing about experiences good or bad, you grow through them. I just want them to talk to this man, put the absolute facts out there, and get it over with. Thanks and I appreciate your thoughtful commentary.
DeleteWhile the mindset and tone of your this post are incredibly upsetting to me, I have a lot of respect for your level headed and calm replies in the comments. I identify as a moderate conservative (truth be told, probably more of a libertarian) and while I do think Trump is a terrible person, I did vote for him.
ReplyDeleteYour words and assumptions about who I am bother me because they are just not true. I am all for personal freedom. Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. No one should ever be oppressed or threatened with violence for ANY reason. I am all for gay rights. Why should every American not have the same rights? I am all for LEGAL immigration and better streamlining the process. Logistically, we cannot let anyone and everyone into the country.
My voting tendencies have to do with the fiscal health of this country, which I feel improves the lives of everyone from top to bottom. As someone that did vote for Trump, reading posts like yours show me that I am hated for my political beliefs and probably pushes me further to the right. I'll admit, in a situation that had no winners, I was quietly pleased to hear this was a hoax. I did feel a twinge of "I told you so". I don't feel good about that, but I have to be honest with myself.
All of this white supremacy, white privilege, white fragility talk is pushing moderates further to the right. Is it not a natural response to get defensive when seemingly the entire country seems to be telling me I'm a piece of shit for being born a white, cis, male?
Now I'm ranting, my apologies. I try to look at what both left and right are saying since there is not neutral reporting anymore. Someone linked this website in a comment section fakehatecrimes.org. I don't have the time or inclination to examine the legitimacy of every claim, but just scrolling down a few makes me feel that a certain degree of skepticism is warranted when seemingly unbelievable claims are made.
I'm sure I've outed myself as a racist, bigoted, homophobe, but I just wanted to try to give you the honest perspective of someone that considers himself moderately conservative.
Side note: I want nothing more than to see an end to the continuing divide in this country and the use of identity politics to spread hate. We are all Americans. This is OUR country, not the left's country or the right's country. There needs to be more compromise. It is my hope that a politician, or political party emerges that says, "enough is enough, let's cut the crap and figure out how to work together." We do have common values and those should be our focus. Not who marries who or whether or not someone call you by a pronoun you don't identify as. Most people in this country and in the world are good people with good intentions who just want health, happiness, and prosperity for those they care about.
DeleteI'm just about exactly where anonymous is; there are a lot of us out here. Writing us off as stupid bigots isn't good politics
DeleteHello Anonymous. Thanks for your perspective. It was honest and real. I also appreciate you keeping a level head as well. This is how dialogue happens. I agree wholeheartedly with your side note! The values that you've mentioned, will be the values that I will look for in our next presidential candidate. I am glad to be able to have people like you and JT to show me a different side to what the media and social media may portray about conservatives and the "alt-right". Also, I am not writing you all off. I am writing off TRUE racists, bigots, xenophobes, and homophobes. I do not perceive you all that way.
DeleteIf only every exchange on the internet could be so civilized we might get somewhere. I appreciate the response and will be checking in on your blog to get your perspective in the future.
DeleteI agree and I am glad you will be checking in and sharing your perspective with me. Thanks Anonymous!
DeleteNo one called him a liar. Anyone who questioned the validity of his sketchy tale were immediately hit with a barrage of anger and called bigots or homophobic right wing nuts.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that many were wise enough to spot the flaws in his story is hardly an example of hate.
It took either a very low intellect or a strictly emotional response not to spot the red flags. They were there from the start and it didn't require a rocket scientist to recognize this as a poorly written script.
There should be severe consequences for this horrible man. It hurts everyone when these incidents occur. Far too many of these sickening tales made up by blacks are later proved to be false. It hurts the very people were trying to support and makes every new account of racism seem questionable. These lies set back race relations and further divide us as humans.
That is the shame. That is why we must wait until facts come out before believing these people.
Hello Anonymous. As far as your statement, "sickening tales made up by blacks", I'd like to refer you to the story of Emmett Till and many others. I am certain that you are not totally oblivious to the handful of white people calling the police on black people for simply existing. You cannot make a statement like that and then talk about our division as humans. Perhaps you tried to incite me with that statement, but it did not work. Thanks for reading.
DeleteI thank everyone for contributing your comments to this blog post.
ReplyDelete