Jussie Smollett recently had an outburst in court after being sentenced for his January 2019 hate crime hoax in Chicago. The judge sentenced Smollett to 150 days in jail and 30 months of federal probation. Jussie must also pay $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 court fine. Smollett’s lawyers tried to delay and dismiss the sentence but the judge was steadfast on justice happening immediately.
The sentence can be viewed in several different ways depending on whoever gives their opinion. On one hand, the sentence is very light considering the circumstances. Race relations in the United States were already strained due to ridiculously biased media coverage of certain stories. If this story of two white men attacking a black man with a noose was believed, it could have sparked a miniature civil war. On the other hand, Jussie is very well-connected with corrupt Chicago and national politics that he could have evaded any punishment from this situation. In reality, he got a light sentence and should be thankful. But that’s not what he decided to do in court. He went on and had an outburst.
Jussie Smollett repeatedly shouted out the words “I am not suicidal!” to the court. He was referring to an Epstein-type situation where someone of high importance dies in prison by their own hand. The idea is that someone did that to him. So he wants to place himself in the same category. Smollett’s outburst also comes off as his curtain call. After all, he is an actor. A well-accomplished actor who clearly wasn’t satisfied with his level of fame and success by starring on “Empire”. He wanted to reach another level of fame by ascending into the realm of social justice activists. That effort did give him another level of fame, but only as the butt of jokes and not as the serious, scholarly person that he may view himself as.
SOURCES:
Jussie Smollett sentenced to jail time in hate crime hoax
Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail for lying to police in hate crime hoax | CNN
Jussie Smollett Sentenced to Five Months in Hate Crime Hoax – Variety
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