As celebrities continue to come out in droves to support Jussie Smollett after he was allegedly the victim of a hate crime Monday, Steve Harvey has added his contribution.
The talk show host on Wednesday posted a video on his Instagram page and shared his thoughts on the Jan. 28 alleged attack on the “Empire” actor, who was doused in bleach and had a noose wrapped around his neck.
“I’ve listened to a lot of people’s words and I don’t have a lot of eloquent stuff to say,” Harvey explains in the Jan. 29 video. “To little brother, Jussie, as a black man in this country, I’m down with you. And I know brothers that’s down with you. This ain’t about sexual preference or nothing. This is about coming to the aid of a brother that has tasted the brutality of hatred, racism and bigotry. So, we down with you, Jussie. However you gon’ handle it, we down with you.
“This is not a call for violence … I just don’t have all the words everybody else got. We down with you, soldier,” he added. “Just want you to know that your OGs down with you. Man, we gon’ pray for you, brother.”
A hate crime investigation has been launched in Chicago, where Smollett said he had been “viciously attacked” by two white men wearing ski masks, according to TMZ. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the actor claimed the men shouted racial and homophobic slurs at him. Jussie was seen at a local Subway around the time of the attack.
“Aren’t you that f—ot Empire n—er?” TMZ reported the men shouted, along with, “This is MAGA country!”
Smollett said he was hit in the face, and he reportedly has a fractured rib. Additionally, they are said to have poured bleach on him before putting a noose around his neck. Smollett took himself to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released.
Harvey’s fans eagerly backed up the comic’s peaceful call to action.
“We ALL should be down with him. Are we not tired of this mess yet? When is it going to be the last straw? 😡😢”
“OG has Spoken.👌 We down with U.🙏”
“Praying for this awesome young man! God bless him.. Jussie Smollett!!! Thanks @Steve harvey.”
Harvey is not alone in speaking out in support of Smollett. Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Nene Leakes and Kelly Rowland are among several celebrities who have backed the star.
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