Jussie Smollet Should Not Be Praised | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Jussie Smollet Is Not Black Excellence

Society has a problem if this is who it praises and idolizes.

32
Jussie Smollet Is Not Black Excellence

Sometimes when I share my articles on social media, I like to include the hashtag "#blackexcellence" as a joke. The term is usually used to refer to a black person who achieves some form of success.

What it should not be used for is Jussie Smollett: someone who is willing to lie about a hate crime.

Smollett has been in the news recently for allegedly being assaulted by two men in "Make America Great Again" hats. Of course, it came out that he was lying about the whole thing and paid some people to help him fake the attack. Despite all the evidence against him, the existing charges were dropped without explanation. I have no idea why he wasn't charged, but this is nothing for black people to celebrate.

There are so many times throughout human history where a hate crime has been committed against a black person as a result of some lie told by a white person.

Emmet Till and Rosewood come to mind. Both were started by a white woman lying about being raped by a black man. She was believed because she was white and because people believed in the stereotype that black men were violent rapists.

Jussie has just given racists another stereotype. Now whenever someone claims they were the victim of a hate crime, there's going to be an overwhelming amount of skepticism about their claim. They will be called an outright liar.

Is that what people think "black excellence" really is? Because it isn't.

When I think of "black excellence" I think of someone like LeBron James. He has set out to use his money and influence to benefit others with the I Promise School he opened last year.

The same can't be said for Jussie. He just faked a hate crime for attention. What annoys me about this whole situation is that people are celebrating his charges being dropped just because it makes white people mad.

We've got to do better as a society if this is the type of person we praise.

Jussie is guilty of doing the same thing that Carolyn Bryan did when she lied and said Emmet Till raped her. Honestly, he should be blackballed from Hollywood and shunned by the world...but that's not going to happen since he's already being welcomed back with open arms to Empire, which he doesn't deserve.

Jussie has done nothing but help make it easier for the world to stereotype and ignore black people. That, to me, is the utter opposite of "black excellence."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774746
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

1132
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments