Jussie Smollett - the one that got away. . .

Honestly, I haven't written this post before today because I really wanted to be wrong.  I didn't want to rush to judgment.

I didn't really want to believe that someone would make up such a hurtful lie.  Although, I admit that I never thought it was true from the first time I heard the scenario.  Which, is another reason I didn't want to say anything.

But at this point, it's like "the elephant in the room."

I won't get into the details of Smollett's tale of being the alleged victim of a duo of "MAGA" supporters who, as you know by now, allegedly poured bleach on him and tied a makeshift noose around his neck in the middle of winter in freezing cold temperatures on the streets of Chicago as he strolled out for a late night/early morning Subway sandwich.

And, yes, this hurts many people, including Smollett.  We have the people who work and make their livings on the hit show 'Empire,' castmates, friends, the many politicians, activists and celebrities who came out in support of Mr. Smollett when the story first surfaced, the LGBT community and the African American community who will suffer (hopefully not in silence) because of Smollett's selfish need to be the center of attention.

However, I'm also very offended by the portrayal of the alleged attackers.  They've been spoofed, objectified, stereotyped and even though they may have been willing participants in what appears to be a terrible sham, they too, are victims in a sense.  Victims of a society who loves to point fingers and laugh at black men.

Bottom line - it's all bad.