Amid Hollywood’s aggressive campaign to cover up for alleged hate crime hoaxer Jussie Smollett is a simple fact. Even if the actor and noted liar checks off a laundry list of intersectional check boxes, he’s still a powerful celebrity. If we want to talk about such things as “privilege,” he’s got it more than most Americans.

In true Chicago fashion, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has dropped all the 16 charges brought against the “Empire” actor by a grand jury. Smollett’s attorney says that his record has been wiped clean. In no way is this so. He will always be known as the liar he is, who tried so hard to impugn the character of his fellow Americans.