Sound Off: Luke James Is an Example of Selective “Separating the Art From the Artist”

Luke James doesn’t obtain the similar grace and reward for his paintings as convicted sexual assaulters R. Kelly and Bill Cosby.

May 9 2024, Published 5:37 p.m. ET

Hollywood is no stranger to multi-talented individuals who can seamlessly transition from one ingenious box to some other. Throughout his profession, Luke James has steadily proven that he is ready to enroll in the ranks of Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and the entire flexible skill who can excel in a couple of domain names.

I first heard of Luke in faculty, around 2014 or 2015. His voice mesmerized me, and one in every of his songs, “I.O.U.,” had me in a chokehold for a complete semester.

Soon after falling in love along with his pipes (and apparently perfectly excellent seems to be), I and the rest of the world found out the proficient actor inside him. Over a short length, Luke has made a successful transition into acting. In May 2024, he had social media on fireplace after acting in Prime Video’s horror series Them. The New Orleans local additionally has a starring role on Showtime/Paramount Plus’s The Chi as Victor “Trig” Taylor.

There are a large number of intriguing sides of Luke James’s personality in The Chi, from his position as a caretaker for his younger brother, Jake (Michael Epps), to his transformation from a thug to a politician. However, it is his relationships with two brazenly transgender ladies on the display, played via trans actors — Jasmine Davis and L’lerret Jazelle — that appear to be the focus of The Chi's avid viewers.

In a May 2024 interview with The Breakfast Club, the actor — who welcomed a toddler with a woman named Sunny Lewis in 2023 — defended the criticisms he receives for playing a man interested in trans women, a testament to his dedication to his position and the display.

Sadly, Luke’s treatment from critics of his persona being drawn to trans ladies isn’t much of a wonder. To some, his character is worse than the real-life movements of artists who've managed to be “separated” from their art.

Let’s get into this Sound Off.

Luke James has been topic to homophobic and transphobic on-line feedback since joining ‘The Chi.’

In Season 5 of The Chi, Luke’s co-star Jasmine introduced she determined to go away her function as Imani. L’Terrett joined the sequence the following season as Victor’s new girlfriend, Fatima.

As their relationship progressed, Luke, the actor, persisted receiving hateful feedback on social media, with many leaping temporarily to homophobia and transphobia by means of calling him gay.

Throughout his time on The Chi, Luke has defended Victor’s romantic relationships in multiple interviews, telling AP Entertainment that the criticisms he receives “don’t transfer me,” no matter how many times his haters check out.

He also proved himself to be the artist critics say they want, pointing out that his talent to “ruffle your feathers” is vital whilst developing art that can “mirror the days.”

“Separate the art from the artists,” proper?

Contrary to 1 homophobic belief, if a man or woman is drawn to transgender people — sometimes called skoliosexuality, in step with WebMD — it doesn’t imply they define themselves as homosexual or even a member of the LGBTQIA community.

As trans folks, activists, and allies were trying to drill in mindless heads, TRANS WOMEN ARE WOMEN, AND TRANS MEN ARE MEN. So, if we need to talk gender, there’s nothing “homosexual” a couple of immediately guy shooting his shot, as Cosmopolitan explained in a 2015 feature on skoliosexual males.

“Finding transgender other folks horny is essentially the most herbal factor in the world,” one heterosexual guy shared. “They are beautiful."

\Within the Black community, real-life couple and social media sensations Charles and Mrs. Netta show that neither The Chi nor Luke is (hopefully) trans-baiting by his character. As Luke mentioned on The Breakfast Club, his job was to bring “truth” to his character, including a relationship he said he’s “kindred to.”

Luke further said showing his character “be a loving person” with his partner shouldn’t have been as taboo as fans made it. Charlamagne then questioned him about how he’s “protecting his peace” as he continues facing backlash for his role as Victor. The actor again focused on the art, stating nothing else bothered him.

Luke’s approach to the chatter concerning his role is honorable and the perfect example of what it means to be unbothered. However, few could blame him for not sharing his frustration with those who, in this case, can’t separate the art from the artist.

Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), Luke and his supporters’ belief that he is a brilliant actor first is in the minority. Many of his naysayers choose to go the latter, the more childish route of jumping to his sexuality.

However, it’s safe to say these people on social media are the same ones screaming for Apple to bring back the discography of R. Kelly — a convicted sex abuser and pedophile currently serving 20 years in prison. Because, to many, no matter how much time has passed since that legendary Boondocks episode, stepping in the name of love is separate from decades of predatory behavior.

And, while we’re here, let’s also remember that folks were furious when The Cosby Show’s reruns halted amid Bill Cosby’s 2015 rape allegations, in which he was convicted of three felony counts of sexual assault. Like R. Kelly, Bill served three years in prison before being released in 2021. Still, even through his convictions, someone on some corner of the internet is still debating if we can separate “America’s Dad” from the man we now know.

If a few of you may also consider forgiving known predators, I would really like to assume you can display the similar grace to an actor appearing a model of love that is genuine, valid, and just as beautiful as any person else’s. Alas, that is ’Merica, the place transphobia and homophobia can brazenly rear its ugly heads on any given foundation.

Fortunately, Luke is making plans on extra seasons of The Chi and a lifetime of being means too easy on the eyes.

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