Prayers up: ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett beaten, hospitalized following apparent hate crime

(EEW Newswire) Beating someone and calling them derogatory names because they are different from you is disgusting.

35-year-old “Empire” actor, Jussie Smollett, was reportedly the victim of a suspected hate crime in Chicago. He was taken to a hospital Tuesday at approximately 2 a.m.

The news, first reported by TMZ and Entertainment Tonight, has been confirmed by the Chicago Police Department in a statement that refers to the incident as “racially-charged assault and battery,” though Smollett was not specifically named.

The sickening report says, “two unknown offenders approached him and gained his attention by yelling out racial and homophobic slurs towards him. The offenders began to batter the victim with their hands about the face and poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim. At some point during the incident, one of the offenders wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck. The offenders fled the scene.”

TMZ has reported that bleach was poured on him as the assailants yelled, “This is MAGA country!”

Smollett is said to have been visiting a local Subway to get something to eat. When he walked out, someone allegedly yelled, "Aren't you that f***ot 'Empire' n*****?" 

Despite the brutal nature of the attack, Smollett, who identifies as gay, has since been released from Northwestern Hospital in “good condition.”

Smollett’s reps did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

The divisiveness in America is at an all-time high. Whatever our perspectives, preferences, or principles, no one has the right to violently attack another human being.

Hatred is a disease. Love is the cure.