Arts & Entertainment
Jussie Smollett slams Trump in politically charged video
the song is not affiliated with ‘Empire’ or a promo single
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Jussie Smollett has been open about his feelings towards President Donald Trump since he was elected in November. Now the openly gay actor and singer has fueled his emotions into the politically charged song, “F.U.W. (F**ked Up World).”
The song’s black and white video, directed by Smollett, shows people of different identities fighting for their rights. In one scene a boy wearing a hoodie, a woman wearing a hijab and four other women stand in front of the words “My body, my rights” with their fists up.
“This is not a single. It’s not a song to promote the series. It’s an artistic expression,” Smollett said in a press release statement. “My view of this sick cycle, an era in which we must fight our way out of before it’s too late.”
“This view of unity is something they may never understand,” Smollett continued. “That is why it is up to us. Train your daughters and sons to be soldiers of love, despite and in spite of this F**ked Up World.”
In another scene, a man in a wheelchair runs over a Trump mask.
“That mask is a representation of this idea of white male privilege,” Smollett told The Associated Press. “It’s so much bigger than him. It’s what he represents, and it’s because of that representation, that’s why he’s the president of the United States currently. It’s our opportunity to take those masks off and shatter them, so that’s what I did.”
Watch the video below.
Photos
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The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
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