There was a time when the black community gave unconditional support to black public figures who invoked racism, but Smollett's case is already showing how that script is being rewritten. Hernandez says the black community and its allies cannot continue "to carry brothers who act in ways that call into question the existence of real violence and bias." Doubling-down on blacknessThere's an inside joke in the black community that we'll forgive anything as long as an embattled black public figure follows a well-worn script. Jenn M. Jackson, a black queer feminist and activist says there's always been vigorous debate in the black community about our leaders. Instead they may send him or her a new message:Your race card has been declined.

Source: CNN February 24, 2019 20:15 UTC