Tag: Jussie smollett

Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mind #030: Justice v Vengeance

Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mind #030: Justice v Vengeance

According to the Vera Institute of Justice, the cost of incarceration averages more than $31,000 per inmate per year. That can run as much as $60,000 in some states. Add to that the state’s expenses for prosecution and appeals (both from the state and from the defense) and the resources needed in getting the convict to and from court, and you’re talking about some real money. Multiply that by the annual number of people convicted of non-violent, essentially petty crimes and you’re talking the GNP of, oh, say, maybe Latvia or Tunisia.

So when we talk about locking somebody up – as opposed to other sanctions such as community service, fines, et al – we should ask ourselves are we serving the cause of justice, or are we just seeking revenge?

Yeah, I know. “An eye for an eye” (Matthew 5:38-42) vs “Vengeance is mine, I will recompense, sayeth the Lord” (Hebrews 10:30). First amendment, separation of church and state, yadda yadda yadda.

Obviously, this brings us to the current brouhaha regarding actor and failed hoaxer Jussie Smollett. Continue reading “Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mind #030: Justice v Vengeance”

Empire’s Jussie Smollett hospitalized after a racist, homophobic attack [Vox]

Empire’s Jussie Smollett hospitalized after a racist, homophobic attack [Vox]

Police are investigating the assault and battery, which occurred early Tuesday morning.

Source: Empire’s Jussie Smollett hospitalized after a racist, homophobic attack – Vox  

Last night in Chicago an African American man was assaulted. Homophobic and racial slurs were hurled at him by his MAGA-supporter attackers. They poured bleach on him. THEY TIED A ROPE AROUND HIS NECK.

That this horrific attack was against the actor/singer Jussie Smollett shouldn’t be the only reason this story is newsworthy. Smollett is best known for his role of Jamal Lyon on FOX’s Empire. The idea that a gay man or a black man or a gay, black man cannot safely leave a restaurant and walk down the street in a major US city should enrage us all.

Smollett also recently received a death threat in the mail from self-described MAGA-supporters. The imagery included a poorly done drawing in red marker of a a gun firing at a frowning stick figure that has a noose around its neck. The words “You will die black fag” were cut from magazines like a tv-show ransom note.

Jussie has been a social activist since before gaining stardom on Empire and has used his capital to continue his activism.