Jussie Smollett was served a knuckle style chili. The Chicago Police call it an act of hate. |
If you're not aware of the lingo. Here's the words I use to describe attacks.
Knuckle style chili ----- physical assault.
Death Soda ---- poisoning or chemical induced attack.
Neck Tie ----- hanging or violent lynching.
I do not support violence against law enforcement, politicians, entertainers, athletes and people in the news. I am tolerant of race, gender, sexuality, religion, and social standings. I do have bias against ignorance and stupidity masqueraded as conservatism or libertarian positions.
The hit drama Empire may take a moment off. When it returns in April, the Fox drama will continue to bring you the rise and fall of the Lyon family. Breakout star Jussie Smollett who plays the role of Jamal Lyon broke ground with the LGBTQ community.
Smollett who played Jamal was struggling with his sexuality. He would come out in the season. It broke ground. It portrayed a positive light of Black gay men.
In real life, Smollett is openly gay. He came out in 2015 and told the world that it was challenging for him to reveal his sexuality. Smollett clarified his sexuality in Out magazine.
"If I had to label myself, I would label myself as a gay man. If I fall in love down the road with a woman, I'm going to love that woman."
Smollett was engaged to a woman in the past.
The entertainer is now recovering in a Chicago hospital after falling victim to a hate crime.
Hip-hop, Hollywood, Broadway and the gay community came out in support of the entertainer.
We love you, @JussieSmollett. We will protect you and support you and ride for you. You know who we are. 🖤 https://t.co/FLX8TxiFiw— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 29, 2019
Four years ago, @JussieSmollett came out on my show. I’m sending him and his family so much love today. ❤️— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 29, 2019
DEAR GOD! Prayers and justice for Jussie Smollett.— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 29, 2019
This is heartbreaking and terrifying...please pay attention to what’s happening here. Sending all my love to @JussieSmollett https://t.co/YTJ6bwLDkZ— Zendaya (@Zendaya) January 29, 2019
The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe.— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 29, 2019
To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention. https://t.co/EwXFxl5f2m
Standing with and sending love to @JussieSmollett today... this is a racist hate crime and is disgusting and shameful to our country 😔#WeLoveJussie— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) January 29, 2019
Nooses never really disappeared as messages of a very specific kind of terror, but every time they’re used, my God, it’s chilling. Praying for Jussie’s full recovery. And for us all. https://t.co/5TossrJijh— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) January 29, 2019
The reported hate attack on my friend and brother, actor Jussie Smollett is despicable and outrageous. The guilty must face the maximum.— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 29, 2019
— Empire (@EmpireFOX) January 29, 2019
This is heartbreaking https://t.co/2cdw6zehM8— Amiyah Scott (@KingAmiyahScott) January 29, 2019
We got this @jussiesmollett 🌈👊🏾👊🏾 https://t.co/Rt2H2Yugmx— lee daniels (@leedanielsent) January 29, 2019
I want to be positive but everything is terrible and to be fair, that’s not even my fault.— Gabby Sidibe (@GabbySidibe) January 29, 2019
Sending all love and prayers to my bro Jussie. @JussieSmollett thanking the man that you’re still here right now ♥️— RYAN DESTINY (@RyanDestiny) January 29, 2019
I have no words. It seems as though they always want to bring down those with the light shining through them. Sending all my love and support to you, @JussieSmollett 💛 you have an army behind you— Brittany O'Grady (@brittanyogrady) January 29, 2019
The entertainer was attacked in the chilly Chicago around 2am. He said that two men in ski masks, served him a helping of knuckle style chili. The two tried to give him a neck tie and death soda.
They called him homophobic and racial slurs.
The Chicago Metropolitan Police is calling this a possible hate crime.
Lee Daniels, Empire co-creator, reacted to the news, saying, in part, "It's taken me a minute to come to social media about this because Jussie, you are my son. You didn't deserve, nor anyone deserves, to have a noose put around your neck; to have bleach thrown on you ... you are better than that. We are better than that. America is better than that. It starts at home. We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are."
Fox said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our Empire family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night. We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice. The entire studio, network and production stand united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate — and especially against one of our own.”
In a statement, GLAAD said it reached out to Fox and Smollett's team to offer any help needed.
“Our hearts are with Jussie Smollett as he recovers from a hate-motivated and repugnant attack in Chicago," read the statement from president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. "Jussie has always used his voice and talent to create a better world, and it is disgusting that anyone, especially someone who has done such good for so many, would be targeted by undeniable hatred. GLAAD condemns these despicable acts as well as the racism and homophobia that drove them. Law enforcement needs to urgently conduct a thorough investigation and continue to be transparent with Chicago’s Black and LGBTQ communities who may be experiencing heightened fears of violence."
She continued: "Jussie’s experience is sadly not unique in today’s America. Countless LGBTQ and people of color, as well as those who belong to both communities, are faced with hate-motivated violence on a near daily basis. We stand with Black and racial justice leaders to combat hate violence in all of its forms."
Via social media, Empire co-creator Danny Strong said, "I’m deeply horrified and saddened by the racist and homophobic attacks against @JussieSmollett. He is a kind and profoundly talented soul whom I respect with all my heart. The terror of racism and homophobia has no place in our society, it is the most indecent way to live. Whoever did this, do not forget that you are nothing but hate-filled cowards while Jussie’s talent and activism will continue to shine a bright light on to the world for decades to come."
Empire executive producer Brian Grazer said, "I am disgusted and saddened by the attack on Jussie, one of the nicest and most genuine people I have worked with. I send him much love on his recovery. Hate and bigotry have no place in our society.”
Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign — the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, said via Twitter, "I am sick to my stomach over the news of a violent attack on @JussieSmollett. I'm so glad you are safe, my friend. All of us at @HRC wish you a quick recovery. Law enforcement MUST act quickly & thoroughly given the horrific racist/homophobic details described in news reports."
A statement from the Anti-Defamation League read in part, "This sickening, vile reported attack on @EmpireFOX star @JussieSmollett is a disturbing reminder of the terrible homophobia & racism that plagues society. We stand with you, Jussie, and will never stop fighting against this kind of hateful violence. We call on police to investigate this vile incident as a hate crime and work swiftly to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice."
The NAACP also released a statement.
“The recent racist and homophobic attack on acclaimed actor and activist Jussie Smollett is troubling. The rise in hate crimes is directly linked to President Donald J. Trump’s racist and xenophobic rhetoric. It is dangerous for any society to allow a tone of divisiveness and hatred to dominate the political discourse. As this rhetoric continues to bleed into our everyday lives, dangerous behavior will continue to place many law-abiding individuals at risk. We pray for a full physical and mental recovery Jussie Smollett and many unnamed victims of this forum of hate based terrorism”
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