My rule of thumb is: By the time I learn enough about a huge news story to realize I don’t care, it turns out to be fake anyway. Such was the case with Amari Allen, the 12-year-old Virginia schoolgirl who faked a hate crime against herself last week. It was big national news, in that brief window of time when anybody thought it was real. Our moral, ethical, and intellectual betters in the press jumped all over the story, mainly so they could mention that second lady Karen Pence teaches at Allen’s school. Journalists and other Democrats were noticeably disappointed when the attack on Allen turned out to be a hoax. Leave it to a lib to be heartbroken that a hate crime didn’t happen.
But if you think Amari Allen bears any resemblance to Jussie Smollett*, then there’s a Jussie Smollett expert who disagrees: Jussie Smollett.
Becket Adams, Washington Examiner:
Noted hate crime hoaxer Jussie Smollett says it is unfair to compare him to the Virginia sixth-grader who confessed this week to fabricating a story about white classmates forcibly cutting her dreadlocks…
Shortly after newsrooms reported [Amari] Allen’s story was a hoax, the Instagram account “theshaderoom” posted a picture of the student with the headline, “Virginia teen who claimed white students cut her dreadlocks reportedly admits to fabricating the story.”
Another Instagram user, Derrick Jackson, wrote that “Jussie really is a trendsetter.” But Smollet took exception and chimed in.
Here’s what Juicy said:
“With all due respect brother, y’all can clown me all you want but my story has actually never changed and I haven’t lied about a thing. Y’all can continue to be misinformed, internalized sheep, who believe what actual proven liars feed you or you can read the actual docs. Either way, Imma be alright. I know me and what happened. You don’t. So carry on. All love.” [shrug emoji]
In fairness to Juicy, this probably wasn’t really him. It must be an imposter. After all, the real Jussie is busy working on his TV show Empire, right?
@Variety @JoeOtterson This is not factual. Jussie will NOT be returning to Empire. -LD
— Lee Daniels Entertainment (@leedanielsent) June 4, 2019
Oh.
Well, if that really is Jussie saying that nonsense, I hope he comes to his senses eventually. He tried to turn half of America against the other half — that was the whole point of the MAGA hats — and it actually worked for a little while before his hoax fell apart. He’s not irredeemable, but the first step to redemption is admitting he lied. Until he’s willing to take that step, nobody is ever going to trust him again.
In the meantime, people will keep committing these hoaxes. They’ll keep faking hate crimes against themselves. The reason is simple, as David Rutz at the Washington Free Beacon notes: It keeps working.
This is so hard to watch. It reminds us of the growing hate & oppression we are all up against. #TakeOnHate https://t.co/wqZKbhmvEb
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) January 19, 2019
“When one of the most famous black and gay men in America is not safe, the message is clearer than it has ever been.” The dangerous lies spewing from the right wing is killing & hurting our people.
Thinking of you @JussieSmollett, and my LGBTQ neighbors.
https://t.co/edtIFWYAX1— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) January 30, 2019
.@itsericathomas: You are loved. You are loved. You are loved. You are loved. https://t.co/Tv9iHvxyOU
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) July 20, 2019
You are beautiful, Amari Allen. You are courageous & strong. You are loved.
You see, Amari, you may not feel it now, but you have a power that threatens their core. I can’t wait to watch you use it and thrive.
Stay strong. https://t.co/57rtAYby3h
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) September 28, 2019
In a culture where victimhood is currency, hate-crime hoaxes are an express ticket to stardom. Sure, everybody will find out you’re a liar eventually, but by then you’ll already be in the spotlight. Nobody can never take away your bright shining moment of fame.
*Or as Dave Chappelle calls him, Juicy Smooyay.
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