Earlier this year, "Empire" star Jussie Smollett made headlines when he reported being attacked by two men on his way home. Reportedly, the attackers were yelling "Make America great again," the phrase made famous by Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Originally, the attack on Smollett was a suspected hate crime, as Smollett is both black and out as gay. However, not soon after the crime was reported, questions were raised as to whether or not this was truly a hate crime or an elaborate ruse pulled together by Jussie Smollett in an effort to gain publicity and recognition. On February 21, Chicago police announced that Smollett had been arrested and charged with filing a false police report.

Regardless of the outcome of these charges, I'm begging you: don't stop believing victims.

I was personally shaken by Smollett's case and the details that were released detailing the incident. Knowing that, to my understanding, someone could attack a man without provocation like that made me sick. As I continued to read up on this case and the circumstances surrounding it, I was shocked to see that there was any kind of pushback. I couldn't fathom that anyone would make something like this up but it was everywhere, claims that he hired men to beat him, accusations that he tied a noose his own neck, I couldn't ignore it but I was frustrated. Not so much because people were accusing a black queer man of staging something like this for attention or even that the accusations may or may not be right, no, what really bothered me was what this would mean for future victims of hate crimes.

The debate that is forming around the Jussie Smollett case could very well have serious repercussions for future survivors of hate crimes.

I'm afraid that the next unassuming person to be bloodied and beaten will be immediately doubted.

I'm afraid that black and brown children will be discounted even more because they're "just trying to be like Jussie."

And I'm scared that LGBTQ+ folks will be ignored the next time a hate crime occurs. I have hope that maybe it won't be like that, maybe we'll still believe them but I'm uncertain and I'm terrified. Not only for myself but for every other minority that already walks the street looking over their shoulders.

So, no matter what happens, I urge you to please believe survivors.

It is so important that everyone feels not only safe and seen, but also comfortable enough to come forward with their stories and get the help and they deserve. We can not ignore the issue of hate crimes and if we want to see the change we have to acknowledge that they happen. People must believe the stories of survivors, plain and simple. So again, I urge you, hell, I'll go as far as to say I beg, please believe the victims of crimes like this.

No matter what happens with Jussie Smollett, believe survivors.