Jussie Smollett's brother defends Empire actor: 'What if Jussie is telling the truth?'
‘Is it really that easy to convince the world of a person’s guilt? Is that all it takes to turn someone’s life upside down in America?’
Jussie Smollett‘s brother has defended him in an op-ed, suggesting that Americans should re-examine the details of the case and consider the possibility that the Empire actor is telling the truth.
The 36-year-old was accused of hiring two men to stage a racist and homophobic attack on him in downtown Chicago on 29 January. All 16 counts of disorderly conduct have been dismissed, although the city of Chicago has now filed a lawsuit in a bid to recoup the costs of investigating the alleged attack.
In the piece, published on BET.com, Jojo Smollett writes that his brother was the subject of ”repeated and unrelenting attacks to his character and reputation”, adding: “Like so many others, this entire process quickly devolved from a focus on him as a victim of assault, to him being falsely accused and held responsible for a crime that was perpetrated against him. To define this experience as unjust would be an understatement.”
He argues that details of the case were leaked by news outlets despite sufficient evidence, which he believes means Jussie was “convicted in the court of public opinion” before the trial itself.
“Is that all it takes to destroy a lifelong dedication to one’s craft and community?,” the piece continues. “Is it really that easy to convince the world of a person’s guilt? Is that all it takes to turn someone’s life upside down in America? Simply ask yourself this, ‘What if Jussie is telling the truth?’”
Jojo also disputes the apparent motive that Jussie was dissatisfied with his career, noting that the actor had directed several episodes of Empire, released an album, and launched a world tour where he donated the entirety of ticket sales to charity. He was also developing two feature films, was negotiating the lead in a Broadway show, and owns the option rights to Alvin Ailey’s autobiography.
“All pointing to not only an advancing career but a business savvy mind. To suggest that he staged his own attack to boost a sagging career is ludicrous,” Jojo adds.
He calls his brother an “unusually good, soulful and spiritual man” whose character on Empire “represents much of who he is and has given voice to people who have been historically marginalized.”
Jojo ends the piece by encouraging “conscious-minded people” to consider the question: “What if Jussie is telling the truth?”
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