OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Tina Knowles, the mother of left-wing activist and singer Beyoncé, has joined the chorus of liberals and Democrats who have defended convicted felon Jussie Smollett.
Smollett was found guilty by a jury in federal court after he lied to police and created a false police report in January 2019. He claimed that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic assault in Chicago, which never actually occurred.
It was a political stunt to attack Republicans and Trump supporters shortly before an election year. He claimed that he was assaulted by two people he described as white men who wearing MAGA hats.
Smollet told police that his attackers shouted racial and homophobic slurs and poured an unknown chemical substance on him, which was possibly bleach. He claimed he was called a “f****t” and a “n*****.” If this wasn’t bad enough, Smollet added that they tied a noose around his neck because why not push the lies a bit further and more ridiculous.
Knowles pleaded with the courts, saying that Smollett should be treated with “compassion” during his sentencing.
However, the 39-year-old clearly hasn’t learned his lesson as he maintains his innocence and promises to appeal the verdict.
Knowles posted to Instagram saying, “I am not condoning what Mr Smollet was found guilty of.”
“I am just asking will he get the same compassion and understanding of knowingly lying to police,” she added.
In her post, Knowles also cites the case of Amy Cooper, who is a white woman that was arrested last year for calling 911 on a Black birdwatcher. Her criminal case was thrown out after she completed a diversionary counseling program to learn about the harm she caused by calling 911.
Knowles attempts to equate the two cases, asking if Smollett will receive the same leniency.
“The article goes on to say both were wrong but Jussie faces possible prison time and Amy Cooper The woman who called the police and lied about the black man that was Bird watching in Central Park was trying to attack her,” captioned the 67-year-old.
“Leading to the potential arrest of the man where in the history of black men In Custody could have led to his death !!” she shared. “Amy Cooper got off with public service . We will see the outcome of this for this Black man . Will he get the same compassion as Amy Cooper?”
Knowles said that she’s not condoning Smollett’s actions. However, she wondered if his race will ultimately result in a harsher sentencing.
The prosecution had a really strong case against Smollett. The detailed evidence “includes phone records and texts between Smollett and his alleged hired attackers.
Police found out Smollett paid his attackers $3,500 in order to carry out the fake hoax. In February 2019, Chicago police raided the home of the two alleged attackers.
The two alleged attackers, identified Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, are African American and not white, as Smollett claimed.
They had actually worked with Smollett as extras on the set of Smollet’s television show. They had purchased the rope found around Smollett’s neck at a hardware store in Ravenswood over the weekend of January 25. One of the attackers even said that they had a sexual and drug-fueled relationship with Smollett.
