Jussie Smollett and Hate Crime Hoaxes

Honestly with Bari Weiss

The Free Press

Society & Culture, News

4.6 • 7.8K Ratings

🗓️ 10 December 2021

⏱️ 73 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 2019, Jussie Smollett’s hate crime allegations captured the nation. The actor and singer claimed that two men beat him, poured bleach over his head, and tied a noose around his neck—all while shouting homophobic and racial slurs. Many pointed to his story as proof that our country, even in liberal cities like Chicago, is still plagued by the most evil forms of racism. But a few weeks later, we got news that his story was a complete lie. And today, a jury found him guilty of just that. Why did he do it? On today’s episode, political scientist Wilfred Reilly, author of “Hate Crime Hoaxes,” explains why people like Jussie Smollett are willing to risk everything to gain the status of a victim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by NARS Cosmetics.
0:04.0	Nothing makes you feel more confident than a statement lip.
0:07.0	And NARS Cosmetics have just launched their new explicit lipstick
0:10.0	in a range of bold fearless shades to celebrate their 30-year anniversary.
0:15.0	Show off your explicit side with this high-end satin lipstick that delivers long-lasting comfort with a vibrant color payoff.
0:24.2	Shub the new explicit lipstick now at Nas Cosmetics.
0:27.9	co-dotukuk.
0:31.5	I'm Barry Weiss and this is honestly.
0:34.0	What happened that night, Jesse?
0:36.0	When I landed in Chicago and Frank Gatsen, who's like my uncle,
0:40.0	he picked me up.
0:41.0	And then we got back to the apartment.
0:44.6	There was no food and so I went out to Walgreens thinking that they were 24 hours and to have a smoke.
0:53.2	Walgreens was closed.
0:54.8	So I called him up and I said, hey,
0:55.9	I'm going to run to subway, which was across the street.
0:57.9	And I'm going to get a salad.
0:58.8	Do you want anything?
1:01.3	In January 2019, the actor and singer Jesse Smollett claimed that he was the victim of a violent hate crime.
1:08.0	I went to the subway and got the order and as I was crossing the intersection I heard Empire and I don't answer to Empire.
1:17.0	My name ain't Empire.
1:22.0	And I didn't answer.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Free Press, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The Free Press and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.