A Pennsylvania billboard that flashes an image of actor Jussie Smollett and a message about “whites have rights” has sparked accusations of racism.
The digital billboard outside Worthington, about 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, features dissolving screens that also include images of various lawmakers, including Reps. John Lewis and Maxine Waters, who are accused of being “black racists.”
“Jussie Smollett hangs himself! Sets ‘race’ relations back 100 years,” the billboard reads, according to Yahoo News.
The “Empire” actor has been accused of paying two brothers $3,500 to stage a hate crime against him. He was charged with felony disorderly conduct and has repeatedly maintained his innocence in the alleged hoax.
“First time I saw it was just complete and utter shock,” Michael Allshouse told WPXI of Pittsburgh. “I don’t see it as thought-provoking. I don’t see it as instigating thoughtful discussion as much as it is provoking and agitating.”
He said he views the display as racist.
“I know, under the Constitution free speech is there and hate speech is guaranteed, too, and protected by the Constitution, (but) just because you have a right to do something doesn’t mean you should do something,” he added.
But the billboard’s owner, John Placek, defended the message and insisted he’s no racist.
“Racism is misunderstood in America and I want to have the conversation,” he told the news station. “We need to get over ‘I’m black,’ ‘You’re white,’ ‘You’re Hispanic.’ Who cares? I don’t care about that. I do care about how you act and how you stand for my flag — our flag.”
Placek said he wants to spark a conversation and believes there’s only one race — the human one.
“We gotta get people talking. We gotta get them excited. And that’s what I’ve done. The board was never meant to hurt anybody. I would never do that. I’m a patriot. I’m an American. Period,” he said.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost...d-draws-ire-for-whites-have-rights-claim/amp/
The digital billboard outside Worthington, about 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, features dissolving screens that also include images of various lawmakers, including Reps. John Lewis and Maxine Waters, who are accused of being “black racists.”
“Jussie Smollett hangs himself! Sets ‘race’ relations back 100 years,” the billboard reads, according to Yahoo News.
The “Empire” actor has been accused of paying two brothers $3,500 to stage a hate crime against him. He was charged with felony disorderly conduct and has repeatedly maintained his innocence in the alleged hoax.
“First time I saw it was just complete and utter shock,” Michael Allshouse told WPXI of Pittsburgh. “I don’t see it as thought-provoking. I don’t see it as instigating thoughtful discussion as much as it is provoking and agitating.”
He said he views the display as racist.
“I know, under the Constitution free speech is there and hate speech is guaranteed, too, and protected by the Constitution, (but) just because you have a right to do something doesn’t mean you should do something,” he added.
But the billboard’s owner, John Placek, defended the message and insisted he’s no racist.
“Racism is misunderstood in America and I want to have the conversation,” he told the news station. “We need to get over ‘I’m black,’ ‘You’re white,’ ‘You’re Hispanic.’ Who cares? I don’t care about that. I do care about how you act and how you stand for my flag — our flag.”
Placek said he wants to spark a conversation and believes there’s only one race — the human one.
“We gotta get people talking. We gotta get them excited. And that’s what I’ve done. The board was never meant to hurt anybody. I would never do that. I’m a patriot. I’m an American. Period,” he said.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost...d-draws-ire-for-whites-have-rights-claim/amp/
