ESPN takes Stephen A. Smith off air for a week
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http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/11282439/espn-takes-stephen-smith-air-one-week
This is completely ridiculous to me in my opinion. Wasn't his public apology on air enough?
I understand why people were upset by what he said, but I feel like a lot of them weren't really listening to his context or what he really meant, he just didn't word things right. But a suspension? Eh.
ESPN has announced that commentator Stephen A. Smith will not be appearing on ESPN2's "First Take" or on ESPN Radio for the next week. He will return Aug. 6.
In a statement to employees released Tuesday, ESPN president John Skipper said the following:
"As many of you know, there has been substantial news coverage in the past few days related to comments Stephen A. made last Friday in the wake of the NFL's decision to suspend Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for two games following charges of assaulting his then fiancée, now wife, a few months ago.
"We've said publicly and in this space that those remarks did not reflect our company's point of view or our values. They certainly don't reflect my personal beliefs.
"We have been engaged in thoughtful discussion about appropriate next steps. Those conversations have involved a diverse group of women and men in our company. Our women's [employee resource group] has added to the conversation, and going forward, I know they will help us continue constructive discussion on this and related issues.
"Stephen has called what took place 'the most egregious mistake' of his career. I believe his apology was sincere and that he and we have learned from what we've collectively experienced. I'm confident we will all move forward with a greater sense of enlightenment and perspective as the lasting impact of these last few days. I want to thank all those whose thoughts have contributed along the way."
This is completely ridiculous to me in my opinion. Wasn't his public apology on air enough?
I understand why people were upset by what he said, but I feel like a lot of them weren't really listening to his context or what he really meant, he just didn't word things right. But a suspension? Eh.
Mark Jackson retweeted SAS's apology, both guys are veering to "scary if they aren't a parody" territory.
He got suspended for more days than Rice doe…^LOL, this....so ridiculous
It is so painfully obvious that this suspension is to appease the bitchers. Why not do it over the weekend if it's so egregious?
Really, fuck Michelle Beadle. Used to like her but she's become completely unbearable and uncharming
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/11282439/espn-takes-stephen-smith-air-one-week
This is completely ridiculous to me in my opinion. Wasn't his public apology on air enough?
I understand why people were upset by what he said, but I feel like a lot of them weren't really listening to his context or what he really meant, he just didn't word things right. But a suspension? Eh.
Considering what he said in the past about Floyd Mayweather. I don't think he gets the benefit of the doubt.
What he insinuated with his comments is appalling and disgusting.
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/11282439/espn-takes-stephen-smith-air-one-week
This is completely ridiculous to me in my opinion. Wasn't his public apology on air enough?
I understand why people were upset by what he said, but I feel like a lot of them weren't really listening to his context or what he really meant, he just didn't word things right. But a suspension? Eh.
Considering what he said in the past about Floyd Mayweather. I don't think he gets the benefit of the doubt.
What he insinuated with his comments is appalling and disgusting.
SAS may consistently make comments that all victim-blamers make, but if you interpret what he said to mean something completely different, it's not that bad!
What did SAS say in the past about Floyd? Can't find anything beyond the Tiny stuff.
This? "He made the same point during a 2010 Twitter discussion about boxer Floyd Mayweather. Smith tweeted then that he was “hard pressed to believe Floyd Mayweather Jr. put his hands on a woman,” then told another Twitter user, “Let’s no (sic) discount the women out there who want someone like Mayweather strictly for the cash. Men ain’t wrong ALWAYS.”"
This? "He made the same point during a 2010 Twitter discussion about boxer Floyd Mayweather. Smith tweeted then that he was “hard pressed to believe Floyd Mayweather Jr. put his hands on a woman,” then told another Twitter user, “Let’s no (sic) discount the women out there who want someone like Mayweather strictly for the cash. Men ain’t wrong ALWAYS.”"
Look up Floyd's extremely well documented history of domestic abuse allegations and then look at what that sentence says. It's pretty clear cut where he's coming from.
"Let's not discount the women out there who want someone like Mayweather strictly for the cash." What the fuck does that even mean?
He's doing this either out of ignorance or malice. I'd like to think it's ignorance because that's been his credo in every other subject he's ever covered.
One more Stephen A hit. This time on Chad Johnson:
"There are plenty of instances where provocation comes into consideration, instigation comes into consideration, and I will be on the record right here on national television and say that I am sick and tired of men constantly being vilified and accused of things and we stop there. I’m saying, “Can we go a step further?” Since we want to dig all deeper into Chad Johnson, can we dig in deep to her?"
Dude either has zero idea what victim blaming is, or he knows EXACTLY what victim blaming is.
"Let's not discount the women out there who want someone like Mayweather strictly for the cash." What the fuck does that even mean?
He's doing this either out of ignorance or malice. I'd like to think it's ignorance because that's been his credo in every other subject he's ever covered.
One more Stephen A hit. This time on Chad Johnson:
"There are plenty of instances where provocation comes into consideration, instigation comes into consideration, and I will be on the record right here on national television and say that I am sick and tired of men constantly being vilified and accused of things and we stop there. I’m saying, “Can we go a step further?” Since we want to dig all deeper into Chad Johnson, can we dig in deep to her?"
Dude either has zero idea what victim blaming is, or he knows EXACTLY what victim blaming is.
The "why won't they leave" question is considered victim-blaming, which I have no problem doing because I have been called worse, but I still would like the question answered, because I am confused as to how the fight or flee mechanism is completely broken in some people.
The "why won't they leave" question is considered victim-blaming, which I have no problem doing because I have been called worse, but I still would like the question answered, because I am confused as to how the fight or flee mechanism is completely broken in some people.
I wrote a more detailed version of this in another thread, but basically if you're the kind of person with low enough self esteem to get into a long term relationship with someone who beats you, being in that relationship only makes that self esteem nosedive harder.
Leaving someone and rebuilding your life takes a lot of willpower in any relationship, and it's a resource people may not have if they've been made to feel worthless. Especially if the abuser is someone respected in society.
The "why won't they leave" question is considered victim-blaming, which I have no problem doing because I have been called worse, but I still would like the question answered, because I am confused as to how the fight or flee mechanism is completely broken in some people.
I wrote a more detailed version of this in another thread, but basically if you're the kind of person with low enough self esteem to get into a long term relationship with someone who beats you, being in that relationship only makes that self esteem nosedive harder.
Leaving someone and rebuilding your life takes a lot of willpower in any relationship, and it's a resource people may not have if they've been made to feel worthless. Especially if the abuser is someone respected in society.
Ah, so they feel trapped, i.e., "Nobody would believe me. Nobody would want me"? That makes sense to me. Chances are also likely that the victim may have been raised in a household where abuse was normative. I did not, so the idea that it is acceptable to live in an environment where one would be subject to physical/psychological harm is unfathomable.
I suppose this is another instance where we have failed in mental health.