Stephen A. Smith, your rocket to the sun is ready.
I like to believe that I am a level-headed person. My family and friends probably beg to differ. More often than not, I speak my mind in harsh truths because the topic either deserves it or because someone/something said or did something inexcusable for me to bear witness to.
Advocating that men are allowed to hit women based on provocation is a great way to piss off any self-respecting person, or anyone with a moral compass.
Stephen A. Smith is provoking me to speak my mind by violating both reasons to speak the truth.
Earlier today, Smith made the unfortunate decision to blame women for not doing their part in preventing men from hitting them. While the thought of saying that on a large stage such as ESPN’s First Take is beyond stupid, it is exactly what the booyah’s in Bristol want from that waste of live television. The scripted show brings up any and all points that the higher-ups feel will drive ratings. Smith’s ignorant remarks regarding women and abuse feed that fire.
Thankfully, Michelle Beadle, a co-worker of Smith’s at ESPN took to Twitter to say exactly how women feel/felt about that segment we were subjected to.
So I was just forced to watch this morning’s First Take. A) I’ll never feel clean again B) I’m now aware that I can provoke my own beating.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
I’m thinking about wearing a miniskirt this weekend…I’d hate to think what I’d be asking for by doing so @stephenasmith. #dontprovoke — Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
Love or hate her, Michelle spoke for everyone wanting to put Smith on notice. She has the public forum to do so, and used it wisely, thoughtfully (take note Stephen). Shortly after Beadle put Stephen A. Smith on blast, the noted windbag took to Twitter himself to apologize.
In no way was I accusing a women of being wrong. I was simply saying what that preventive measures always need to be addressed because — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
there’s only but so much that can be done after the fact….once the damage is already done. Nothing more. My apologies to @MichelleDBeadle
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
Great non-apology, apology Stephen. It takes a special sort of stupid to double-down on the dumb comments you are previously trying to take back.
*Bangs head against wall. Finds booze, slams booze. Looks at tweets again. Bangs head against wall again.*
Smith again takes to the Twitter but posting one of the stupid “Tweet longer” things that have a link, because of course we want to see an apology for the apology that did not apologize for anything.
At this point, anything Smith says to try to put out the dumpster fire he caused is useless. He already had little to no credibility prior to his word-vomit. ESPN will do what they always do to handle these types of situations: nothing.
Check that. Michelle Beadle will probably have her Twitter account suspended by her bosses for breaking ESPN’s code of conduct on social media. Stephen A. Smith on the other hand, will receive no punishment. I’d be more shocked if he was asked to sit out a few days of First Take than if he received a pat on the back for sticking up for the male gender and blaming women for their actions.
Stephen A. Smith has every right to believe the mindless drivel he spews out. He should also take his own useless advice and keep quiet if he doesn’t want to be shamed anymore.
Women do not deserve this. In no culture or way of life is hitting a woman the right thing to do. Never. I hope that any woman reading this understands that for every blowhard like Stephen A. Smith, Ray Rice and Greg Hardy there are countless men, real men fighting the good fight to eradicate abuse of any kind. You are our mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends and not a punching bag.
If you feel like the men in your life do not treat you with the respect you deserve, know that this person does. You’ve got me.
Jeff is a production assistant @120Sports and contributor to hockey, football, and baseball for The Sports Bank. Follow him on Twitter @skcih_ffej.