Now we have a better idea what the “A” in Stephen A. Smith stands for.
Last week in a TV interview, Smith got into the wayback machine and uttered the “N” word as if he was at the barbershop as he made a reference to a situation of his disbelief in something. It went something like, “N….., please.” Yep, the magic words. Words that we have all heard, words that we are still offended by and words that, if he were a white sports anchor on ESPN, he would have been fired so quick the Guinness Book of Records would have been called for confirmation.
Instead, Smith denied making the remark. ESPN has been as silent while his colleagues shake their head in disbelief that he still has a job.
No mater how cool you think you may be, you cannot go there. That slur has been the bastion of racism in America since the beginning of time, and while some in Black America use it as if they are speaking of a dear relative, for it to be used in this forum is unacceptable for anyone.
Smith should know better. I am sure the term has been used toward him, and I am am sure he did not embrace it with open arms.
What really bugs me is that after being caught with his tongue in the cookie jar, he had the audacity to deny it, saying he is a New Yorker and he at times “talks fastly.” Dude, is “fastly” even a word?
If he were to come clean and admit that he had a poor choice in words, most would admonish him, remind him of the impact that word has and, even though it may be used in our community, it is out of bounds in the forum he is in. Some would say move on, and others would want some blood.
Smith has made a name in talking loud and in most cases saying nothing. He has convinced those at ESPN that his style and banter make him hip and accepted in among African Americans. As some would put it, he has street cred. My concern is what street is he on these days.
This is a clear case of ESPN being quite comfortable with their “Black” guy. And While the Michael Wilbons of the world are more mainstream and in most cases respected, there is nothing like having the rabble rouser around, like Smith. Yeah, he knows his role and is reasonably good at it, if you like that sort of shenanigan.
Smith has been charged to represent as a well-dressed Black man who has been given the floor on the most powerful cable network in the world. There comes a responsibility with that, which Smith has failed miserably to uphold.
For ESPN to stay quite on this one makes you wonder what they really think of their African-American audience. After all, they have given us Stephen A. Smith and I guess we should be thankful. I will pass on that one as I find him repulsive as well as embarrassing in how he has conducted himself on several occasions.
The lame excuse is what rubs me the wrong way more than anything, as if we are supposed to wink back and say, “It’s OK, bro, I know what you mean.” NO sale here on that one.
What should they do at ESPN? Firing Smith is harsh but understandable, as if Chris Berman had gone there, I sure we would have dusted off the picket signs and called up Jesse and here we go.
Suspension? To just put a guy on ice and say “stay at home for a couple of weeks” proves nothing other than it makes the front page for a day and life goes on.
How about sensitivity training? He would be in there with all the white guys who have learned how to say the same word better than Smith. Not sure if we are going to get anywhere. How about sending him out to schools and even barber shops to hold court on why what he did was wrong and why the culture has to change?
ESPN should also go shopping for other qualified minorities who get it and keep them on file in the event that Smith has a memory lapse, as they have no one who works there they feel comfortable replacing Smith with, hence the reason he still has a job.
There is a lesson to be learned here. Stephen A. Smith is a buffoon. Stephen A. Smith should know better, and Stephen A. Smith should pay in some way shape or form.
