By Christopher Coleman
Empire actor,
Jussie Smollett’s attack on January 29, was regarded as a possible hate
crime. Now, it is being reported as staged. I do not retract the
conversation in my previous newsletter surrounding hate crimes in
America, but I retract my support of Jussie Smollett. His efforts to
imitate a hate crime was exploitation. Let me explain. Let’s start here,
I intentionally say imitate a hate crime because these crimes are
real.
Warning for D&I Advocates, Allies, and Social Justice Activists: The naysayers and people who are in direct opposition of diversity,
inclusion, and equality will use this ‘Cry Wolf’ incident as proof that
hate crimes and other injustices, does not exist in America. The truth
has to prevail on both sides of the fence of this story. People are being terrorized for not being an atypical American. We do not value peoples differences in this country.
I will admit I was
a big fan of Jussie Smollett. I have been to a few of his CD signings
and concerts. I even have pictures with him. As much as I was a fan of
Jussie, I am a bigger protester against Diversity Exploitation. That is
utilizing an individual or a group of individuals oppression for your
own benefit. If this is not a term yet, I am coining it as one. I
believe, Jussie aimed to use the struggle of being a person of color and
a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in hopes to catapult his career and
notoriety. In my opinion, this is just as damaging and wrong as a hate
crime.
This is the way Diversity Exploitation works. One can use their connection with a disadvantaged group as a bargaining chip for recognition or monetary gain.
It’s more complex than what some have called, “Playing the Whatever
Card.” It is not about getting what you want or need because you are who
you are. The individual converts their relationship and commonality
with the group into a tool to create an outcome that favors them. It’s
about bringing attention to oneself in order to be single out and
praised for your connection with the group. Example: Because I am a
wheelchair user I expect a ramp to be a the entrance of a place of
business. However, if I expected that ramp to be lighted up and lined
with red carpet because I am enduring and overcoming the challenges of
being a part of the disabled community, I would be exploiting my
connection with the community.
This is what I believe
Jessie was expecting to be the outcome of a publicity stunt. He believed
by saying he has suffered greatly as a black gay man in America people
would raise him up to become the Nelson Mandela of black gay youth. But
suffering because of issues of diversity cannot be fabricated. Real change is the product of real trials and tribulations.
This was an immature
career move. As an aging, disabled, gay man of color, I can guarantee
you, all Jessie had to do is step out of the luxury and bubble of
Hollywood to connect with the hate, segregation, and pain associated
with being a person with differences. The struggle is real for anyone
who is a member of any disenfranchised group. In this political, economic, and social climate, there is no need to fabricate hate, pain, and discrimination.
Mr. Smollett has used
his fans, supporters, and the media as an attempt to elevate his career.
In order to be a hero for our LGBTQIA+ teens and a man in which
organizations such as HRC, GLAAD, and It Get’s Better can honor; he must
first be a man of integrity. We cannot afford to give our allies, nor
our enemies, a reason to think the struggle of being a person with
differences is not a hard and real struggle in America. Oppression does not need to be dramatized any more than it needs to be minimized.
I would also like
to take a moment to encourage Jessie not to show up on 'Iyanla Fix My
Life' claiming to have had some mental illness or emotional breakdown.
That would be yet another demonstration of Diversity Exploitation. There
are mentally and emotionally ill people who make bad decisions due to
their illness yes! But. Mr. Smollett's bad decision was premeditated and
calculated. The fight for diversity, inclusion, and equality is a noble
fight, fought with compassion, justice, and truth.
Now this imitated
hate crime is headed to a Grand Jury because Jussie was right about one
thing, there are people waiting in the background to take him down. Men
and women who are much more powerful than the guys he claimed attacked
him. These powerful people are waiting for any excuse to take down a gay
person of color with a political message and he just gave them the
ammunition to do so. There are 3 things I would suggest Mr. Smollett do
at this point:
- Apologize to his fans and supporters.
- Take a year or more off to get his mind ‘right.’
- Start from the bottom again, and rebuild his career.
Yes, I believe we
should all be given a second chance when the time is right. God knows we
have all made mistakes and most of us are fortunate enough not to see
our mistakes played out in the media. But I must reiterate, Diversity
Exploitation is something we cannot afford to tolerate. However: someone
may say I am trying to do the same thing by speaking up on this issue.
Don’t get it twisted, I am using this issue as a tool to educate people,
not elevate my career.
Christopher Coleman is a Keynote Speaker, Diversity Consultant, Inclusive Leadership Coach, and the CEO of Unconfined Life Institute.
