Hello Meltingpot Readers,
By now you’ve probably heard about the horrific hate crime against actor and singer, Jussie Smollett. The assault occurred yesterday, January 29, in Chicago. Details have not been officially confirmed, but reports say the 36-year-old actor was walking back to his hotel when he was attacked by two men who recognized him from his show, Empire. The incident is being investigated as a hate crime because the men allegedly tied a rope around his neck, poured a “bleach-like substance” on him and used racial and anti-gay slurs. Also, they reportedly used the phrase, “This is MAGA territory,” referring to the Cheeto-in-chief’s favorite saying to invoke racists everywhere to foam at the mouth and clutch their Tiki torches.
Smollett was able to get himself to the hospital and was released later the same day. There has been no official word on his current condition as of this writing. Smollett himself has not made a public statement about the hate crime either.
America:Bruised but Not Broken
I am not going to write anything about this particular incident until all of the facts are known. I don’t want to jump to any conclusions or react to things that are later proven to be untrue. I also want to acknowledge Smollett’s right to deal with this traumatic incident in peace.
But regardless of what happens going forward and what happened yesterday, people are hurting. They are fearing that our country is descending into hate-fueled chaos. While I know there are thousands of Americans who are filled with hate for their fellow man, I know there are millions more who lead with love. And we need to shine that loving light to clear the darkness. That’s why I launched my #CelebrateDiversity2019 challenge this month. As the haters begin to feel their power erode and as they witness the growth and strength of powerful coalitions of diversity, they will act out. They will try scare tactics. They will rally. They will use violence. But we cannot be bowed. We cannot let them win. We have justice and truth and generosity, and love and diversity on our side. And that’s where real power lies.
Fight Back In Blazing Colors
Fight back, dear readers. Fight back by embracing people who don’t look like you. Speak up for the rights of people whose voices have been traditionally silenced. Support creative content creators –authors, filmmakers, musicians, artists, journalists, chefs – whose work boldly celebrates diversity. Share their work. Promote your own work and life habits that show the world what diversity truly looks like. We can do this, dear readers. I built this Meltingpot community to remind all of my readers that they are not alone in this fight and to provide you all with weekly reminders of what diversity looks like in America. I’m writing, Tweeting, Instagramming, podcasting and blogging like a fiend, because this is how I fight back. And I know so many of you are right there with me.
Jussie Smollett and Alicia Keys said it, or rather, sang it best. We’re all powerful and just “…a step away from victory.”
Healing and Power to Jussie Smollett!
(Did you listen to the song? If you didn’t, go back and listen right now.) (Image from Smollett’s Instagram account.)
