The Politics of Us and Them – a Jussie Smollett Story

I am somewhat hesitant to write about this story because Empire star Jussie Smollett was arrested and charged this morning, but it’s quite possible that we still do not know the entire story. But a Donald Trump Jr. tweet this morning compelled me to do so. Here is Junor’s tweet:

At this point, there’s probably nothing that Junior or the President could say that would shock me. I am far beyond that stage. But my brain still processes this tweet as if the statement were coming from someone random and normal. Before I can fully process the tweet, my brain asks why this is even remotely a divisive issue with two sides or why anyone would find joy in the Chicago PD’s conclusions.

The rational person would likely initially give Smollett the benefit of the doubt when he gave his first account of the fake attack. But who is not angry that this whole thing was fake? I guess one would have to care first to be angry, but still, Smollett should be universally shunned. Smollett should also be prosecuted and then we might see him in some B movie in five years or something. End of the story.

But there are people like Donald Trump Jr. and many many others who appear to “get off” at the discovery of the fraud. Why? Not being affiliated with a political party has its virtues. One of those virtues is that I don’t have to pick a side. I can just observe a situation or event for myself and draw my own conclusions and formulate my own opinions.

For partisans, they become so invested in an outcome that all rationale and objectivity is out the door. If you only watch MSNBC, you’d be all in on Smollett’s allegations and some would even be ready to go Liam Neeson on MAGA hat wearing folks. If you only watch Fox News, you’ll see this grotesque narrative coming from folks like Laura Ingraham and others who display sheer delight that Smollett was caught lying.

Why though? The answer is obviously money. It always is. There’s big bucks in taking a story about a racially or homophobicly charged assault on a Hollywood actor and there’s big bucks on reporting that the story was fabricated. And MAGA folks love seeing Fox go to town on its liberal counterparts for over reporting on the story. Of course, hacks like Brian Stelter say things like, “We were just reporting what Smollett was saying about the supposed incident” without recognizing that the story likely took up massive amounts of airtime for days on end. That level of exposure to any story is enough to convince plenty of people that the story is important.

But back to the “why” for a moment. I think Laura Ingraham is a pretty reprehensible character on television, and I think she’s more than a simple caricature. I think many of the views that she discusses are really her views and she seems to me to be most unpleasant. I cannot imagine discussing politics with Ingraham at a family gathering or dinner. So I think she is truly happy when the Smollett news finally broke that the story was a hoax. Certainly Trump Jr. was happy, but Trump Jr. is an irredeemable troll with no path toward the objective center. Ingraham’s happiness on the other hand, may be fueled by money primarily, but perhaps the money influences her views. I wonder if someone like Ingraham discovers that the story is a hoax and instantly sees dollar signs and ratings, and thus her happiness comes from the dollars generated from the faux outrage and controversy.

I have wondered the same thing about Tomi Lahren. People have pointed out correctly that Lahren was once a liberal with relatively straight forward progressive views. Lahren found a niche within the conservative media sphere and exploited it for financial gain. But does she really believe in the positions she takes or the wretched things that she says? You can actually see a tiny piece of Lahren die when her generation attacks her over pop culture type things like her dig at 21 Savage. You can almost imagine Lahren yearning for the days when she could enjoy pop culture with her friends like any other twenty something woman. But then she’d have to give up all that money she’s making. Making deals with the devil has consequences.

Enough digression. When I read that Smollett had lied, I was devastated. Not because I am a fan of Empire or because I lean to the left [because I don’t]. Joe Walsh summed it up well and I wish more people shared his objectivity:

I was personally devastated because my metaphorical sliding scale in my head slid slightly toward the bad side and slightly away from the good side. Here’s what I mean:

We’re so fucked —————————————– We’re going to make it

The main figures within conservative media, the Trumps and the grifters who have found ways to profit from the deterioration of our society love this shit. Anything that allows them to manufacture controversy and division is good for business. Frankly, what I am describing is a perfect example of a bug within capitalism. There’s no fix for this, and of course, we shouldn’t ask the government to step in. We should however, expect our citizens to be less susceptible to manipulation and less vulnerable to a cult of personality.

It’s perfectly rational and normal to be angry at Smollett for being a selfish liar and be utterly disgusted with those who now luxuriate with the news that the attack was staged. I just want to wake up each day and check twitter to see nothing but positive stories. Unfortunately, we move closer each day to the “We’re so fucked” side each time things like this happen. The politics of us vs. them is big business, and big business ALWAYS wins. I’m not so sure we’re going to make it.

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