Jussie Smollett: An Empire Built on Lies or Political Injustice?

HOUSTON- The black community was in shock and disbelief after hearing about the alleged racist attack against “Empire” star Jussie Smollet.

Smollett reported to Chicago police that two white men wearing President Donald Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats beat him, tied a noose around his neck and doused him with an unknown liquid. But after police said it was all a hoax, later filing charges against him, the droves of people who supported the actor caused a firestorm on social media.

Students at Texas Southern University have split opinions about the situation.

“I feel like you’re innocent until proven guilty,” said Teelia Gooden, a student and reporter at KTSU. “I think he’s innocent based on who he is! I don’t think he would go to great lengths to hurt his character like that.”

Just like Gooden, many people are siding with the actor. Others believe what police uncovered.

There have also been recent reports of Lee Daniels being involved.

Two Nigerian brothers, who are not even close to fitting the description that was originally given of the assailants, were taken into custody and questioned about the incident.

They confessed to police that Smollet paid them to “attack him” and it was allegedly a publicity stunt in an effort to get more pay on his show.

“Black Twitter” has not been kind with the memes and many others have been keeping receipts.

“There were conflicting statements about the situation. I did hear there was a racial thing and that he got into it with Trump on Twitter,” Texas Southern University’s Zak Austin believed. “This is just a word of advice for anybody, your image is everything. To say that he wasn’t getting paid enough for a show is far-fetched.”

Many are hoping the discovery of the alleged hoax doesn’t discourage others from coming out when an actual attack does take place. Just like Smollett, we all want a platform to change the world and do better for our community. Above his sexual orientation, he is an African American male first. The lies definitely don’t help the leverage Trump Supporters now feel after hearing the change in the story. *