Maybe I’m romanticizing a bit but 2018 had a lit ass Black History Month. 2019 though? Kind of trash, to be honest. This is a terrible sequel so far and not the Black History Month we asked for, but it’s the one we got
Among the notable missteps this month (one more time for the kids in the back:
While I’m still having trouble making the connection between “I’m not getting paid enough” and sympathy points for being physically assaulted — surely in 45’s America it is easy enough to find legitimate examples of micro-aggressive to overtly racist behavior — I also don’t have the energy to delve into the psychology behind it, so I digress.
For me, tucked away within the sensationalism of this narrative is an entirely different point to take issue with: the abusive of black privilege
When we live in a society where the more melanin-
That’s exactly what Jussie (allegedly) did. He cried wolf or in political speak, he “played to his base” with details that seemed all too convenient — a noose, a MAGA hat, and a black, LGBTQ-leaning man being assaulted to the point that he was hospitalized. It was the perfect match of details to spark outrage and draw sympathy from the likes of Kamala Harris to the President, with anyone who didn’t profess this sympathy being automatically demonized.
The idea that this alleged attack could merely be exploitation on a very real American trope is an insult to our collective intelligence and a dangerous power game to play. In my mind, it’s no different than women who use allegations of rape to silence men or those who blame alcohol and drugs for their otherwise seemingly natural inclinations (Roseanne anyone?).
If the allegations are true, Jussie has thrown more gas on a bridge that we are attempting to rebuild, not burn. Nobody wants this smoke. He’s undermined himself and makes it harder for the next person who might be an actual victim to be given any credibility. Are we gonna be able to keep the same energy next time? More significantly, he used his privilege, his celebrity, and his platform, not to advance a collective action, but for a check.
There is simply no apology for that.
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