1) I'm mostly with you. The context of this story make Smollett's claims absurd. But the absurdity comes mostly from the time of night and the temperature outside. Ahmaud Arbery could tell you - if he were still alive - that we haven't entirely eliminated racist attacks in this country; and
2) Your characterization of this part of Chicago at the time is wrong. I lived there when this happened. I know exactly where it happened. I went to law school in the neighborhood and lived there for years. I didn't live too far away in January 2019 when the alleged attack happened. This was pre-pandemic and pre-George Floyd and the ensuing riots. I've walked around Streeterville (what the area is called) day and night a million times in complete safety. It's less safe now than it was then (though nowhere near the war zone the media makes out) but in January 2019 two white guys in MAGA hats (however unlikely that is) could have walked that area in almost complete safety.
A couple things:
1) I'm mostly with you. The context of this story make Smollett's claims absurd. But the absurdity comes mostly from the time of night and the temperature outside. Ahmaud Arbery could tell you - if he were still alive - that we haven't entirely eliminated racist attacks in this country; and
2) Your characterization of this part of Chicago at the time is wrong. I lived there when this happened. I know exactly where it happened. I went to law school in the neighborhood and lived there for years. I didn't live too far away in January 2019 when the alleged attack happened. This was pre-pandemic and pre-George Floyd and the ensuing riots. I've walked around Streeterville (what the area is called) day and night a million times in complete safety. It's less safe now than it was then (though nowhere near the war zone the media makes out) but in January 2019 two white guys in MAGA hats (however unlikely that is) could have walked that area in almost complete safety.