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    Innovation Village | Technology, Product Reviews, Business
    You are at:Home»Entertainment»The Thin Line Between Social Media Sympathy and Social Media Outrage-A look at the Case of Jussie Smollett

    The Thin Line Between Social Media Sympathy and Social Media Outrage-A look at the Case of Jussie Smollett

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    By AdeO on February 19, 2019 Entertainment, Legal, Social Media, Technology, Twitter

    When the story of the attack on Empire star, Jussie Smollett broke on January 29, social media went berzerk as everyone rallied around the gay actor. The attack was reported as a racist and homophobic attack which made the reactions more intense.

    The 35-year-old Jussie Smollett had flown into Chicago from New York on the night of the attack to continue filming the new season of “Empire.”

    “The alleged assailants made racially charged comments to the victim implying that they knew he was a star from the show,” police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

    From celebrities to civil right activities and the LGBTQ community offered their support to Jussie Smollett after being hospitalised following the attack.

    …whoever did this, do not forget that you are nothing but hate filled cowards while Jussie’s talent and activism will continue to shine a bright light on to the world for decades to come.

    — Danny Strong (@Dannystrong) January 29, 2019

    Sending love to Jussie and the Smollett family after this horrific attack. We support you and pray that you find peace and justice.

    — John Legend (@johnlegend) January 29, 2019

    https://twitter.com/50cent/status/1090350152370585600?

    We ALL have a responsibility to rise up against the ignorance and hate out there. If you know who did this to @JussieSmollett, REPORT THEM TO THE POLICE.

    — shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 29, 2019

    DEAR GOD! Prayers and justice for Jussie Smollett.

    — kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 29, 2019

    This is heartbreaking and terrifying…please pay attention to what’s happening here. Sending all my love to @JussieSmollett https://t.co/YTJ6bwLDkZ

    — Zendaya (@Zendaya) January 29, 2019

    The outrage as a result of the attack was deafening and perhaps Smollett was already basking in the euphoria of the many reactions. However, as they say in Nigerian parlance, kasala don burst! 

    Smollett is now in the soup as reports have emerged that he allegedly staged the attack because his character is gradually being phased out of Empire. To remain relevant, he decided to stage the attack.

    But before the report that he orchestrated the attack surfaced, some people doubted the story after he redacted some content of his phone record he submitted to the police.

    And the solidarity/sympathy began to crumble like a pack of cards…

    The frenzy the media used in reporting the attack was the same frenzy they reported the arrest of two Nigerian-  Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo. Their arrest shattered all Smollett claimed about the attack.

    The brothers were reported to have told Chicago Police that Smollett paid them $3,500 to stage the attack adding that a further $500 will be paid later on. They presented the receipt for buying the noose used in the attack to the police and they were subsequently released.

    Since then, everything changed as those who previously supported him either deleted their tweet or requested that everyone should wait for the police to finish their investigation before casting doubt on the story. Smollett himself hired high-profile lawyers as police are now investigating if the attack was a hoax or not.

    Sen. Cory Booker responds to Jussie Smollett reports: "The information is still coming out. I'm going to withhold until all the information actually comes out from on the record sources."

    Police release 2 men questioned in Smollett attack: https://t.co/HvJ8l95PlK pic.twitter.com/KEKGdSbSEb

    — The Hill (@thehill) February 18, 2019

    https://twitter.com/rgay/status/1096946190904479744?

    Despite the inconsistencies, I can’t blindly believe Chicago PD. The department that covered up shooting Laquan McDonald over a dozen times? That operated an off-site torture facility? That one? I’ll wait. Whatever the outcome, this won’t stop me from believing others. It can’t.

    — Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 17, 2019

    Hey Hollywood and media types, I’ve noticed a lot of you deleted your #JusticeForJussie tweets… what’s the matter, don’t you want justice for him anymore??? #frauds

    — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 18, 2019

    I just spoke to Ola and Abel Osundairo on the phone. It was brief but they stressed the following.

    “We are not racist. We are not homophobic. And we are not anti-Trump. We were born and raised in Chicago and are American citizens.”https://t.co/0TtYH1awDE

    — Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) February 18, 2019

    Thoughts on Jussie Smollett case: He must be held accountable in the strictest way. He must repay resources used to investigate and serve time for the division he caused. The media should be the most outraged. He played all of them for fools. He knew they would cover it.

    — Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 19, 2019

    AWKWARD: Kamala Harris on her Jussie Smollett 'modern day lynching' tweet…

    a.k.a. What it looks like when you've been out shopping with your new BFF reporter girlfriends then a real journalist asks you a real question… pic.twitter.com/avcCy8eqkF

    — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) February 18, 2019

    I am extremely disappointed that J. Smollett staged a hate crime. I apologize for my comment made immediately after the news broke. Without firsthand knowledge, I should have known better than to place any faith in the accusations until an investigation was done by me or others.

    — Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) February 19, 2019

    Jussie Smollett is an outstanding actor and superb singer. However, with the way the case is going and the stories being told online, there is more to the attack. The first blow for Smollett is that his role in Empire has been slashed.

    The lesson is that there is just a thin line between social media sympathy and social media outrage/condemnation.

    People will always support you on social media but the turn around will be swift if they smell any iota of doubt in your story.

    Hence, be careful with your actions as social media can be sympathetic and at the same time unforgiving! Beware.

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