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B’fast time, I sipped my morning coffee & turned on the morning news to hear what is going on with regards to the circus around the Mueller report, and Atty General Barr’s declaration of no obstruction of Justice on the part of our president. This disgusts me, but while I think the president is a hazzard for the country and the world, I don’t feel personally singled out by him, any more so than the remainder of the American populace who aren’t part of Trump’s support base.
The news however was focused on Jussie Smollet and the dropping of all charges against him. All charges.
A gay man of color alleged that he was attacked, a victim of a hate crime because of both his race and orientation, but after the Chicago Police Department, a department with a questionable history regarding race relations, finished their investigation, Jussie was charged on multiple felony counts for allegedly faking the attack. If this went to trial he could have faced serious long term consequences. Now everything against him has been dropped. Everything and without a clear explanation why.
Effectively, Smollet was tried in the press. The thirst for news stories had a spokesman from the Chicago PD in front of microphones 6 weeks ago or so, detailing what they said Jussie had done to fake his attack. If the charges were true, why now has everything been dropped?
I was angry with Jussie. I understand persecution based on people’s prejudices on an experiential basis. I was faced with potential loss of my livelihood back in the mid 80s, because of my minority sexuality, when I was threatened with firing, not for providing poor care, but because I was gay. When I was sexually assaulted at 17, I didn’t report it. In the early 70s, there was no social acknowledgement that men could be victims of rape.
False allegations of hate crimes are an emotional gut punch. We have worked so hard to advance our rights and acceptance in the world, the idea one of us would lie about an attack is loathsome. However now I’m forced to question, was Jussie victimized twice? Either way, the result is the same; people truly victimized will think long and hard about stepping forward and seeking justice or even just seek help.
The news however was focused on Jussie Smollet and the dropping of all charges against him. All charges.
A gay man of color alleged that he was attacked, a victim of a hate crime because of both his race and orientation, but after the Chicago Police Department, a department with a questionable history regarding race relations, finished their investigation, Jussie was charged on multiple felony counts for allegedly faking the attack. If this went to trial he could have faced serious long term consequences. Now everything against him has been dropped. Everything and without a clear explanation why.
Effectively, Smollet was tried in the press. The thirst for news stories had a spokesman from the Chicago PD in front of microphones 6 weeks ago or so, detailing what they said Jussie had done to fake his attack. If the charges were true, why now has everything been dropped?
I was angry with Jussie. I understand persecution based on people’s prejudices on an experiential basis. I was faced with potential loss of my livelihood back in the mid 80s, because of my minority sexuality, when I was threatened with firing, not for providing poor care, but because I was gay. When I was sexually assaulted at 17, I didn’t report it. In the early 70s, there was no social acknowledgement that men could be victims of rape.
False allegations of hate crimes are an emotional gut punch. We have worked so hard to advance our rights and acceptance in the world, the idea one of us would lie about an attack is loathsome. However now I’m forced to question, was Jussie victimized twice? Either way, the result is the same; people truly victimized will think long and hard about stepping forward and seeking justice or even just seek help.
