Member Since: 6/8/2008
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Jussie Smollett Supports Women's Rights
Quote:
“I'm a firm believer that you don’t need a TV show or a hit song or something like that or followers or something like that to change the world or change the community,” Smollett says.
As an emerging star, Smollett says he’s had people tell him to hold off on being so politically active, but he didn’t listen. He says, “I wouldn’t be the person that I am if I did not [speak up] and I don’t think that everybody’s journey is the same, but this is my journey and I’m meant to say something. I’m meant to speak up, and if I can give a voice to the voiceless, then why wouldn’t I? If millions of people are listening to what you’re saying, shouldn’t you say something worth hearing?”
Smollett believes that artists have a duty not just to the communities that support them but also to society as a whole.
“I don’t expect Jay Z to stand up for police brutality any more than I expect Reese Witherspoon to stand up for police brutality. I expect everybody to stand up. Why? Because it’s wrong,” Smollett says. “We have a responsibility to the communities that we are a part of, but we have a responsibility to the world to speak out when something is bad.
“I am not a woman, but guess what? If I see a female being abused, I’m going to speak up and speak out. Why wouldn’t I?” he continues. “I’m not a child, but if I see a child being abused, I’m going to step up. I’m going to speak out. I’m going to try my best to protect that child. So you tell me why somebody has to be part of a community in order to understand that this is wrong and has to stop, period?
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http://www.theroot.com/articles/cult...mollett.1.html
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