Stephen A. Smith created a firestorm with his comments about domestic violence on ESPN’s “First Take” Friday and was moved to clarify his point via Twitter.
During a discussion with co-host Skip Bayless about domestic violence in light of the Ray Rice suspension, Smith, while emphasizing that there is never an excuse for a man hitting a woman and that those who do deserve to be in jail, said he wants women to also work on doing what they can to avoid provoking violent situations.
“Let’s make sure we don’t do anything to provoke wrong actions … let’s try to make sure that we can do our part in making sure that doesn’t happen,” Smith said of the message he wants women to heed.
“Now you got some dudes that are just horrible that are going to do it anyway — and there’s never an excuse to put your hands on a woman. But domestic violence with men putting their hands on women is obviously a very real issue in our society. And I think just talking about what guys shouldn’t do … we gotta also make sure that you can do your part to make sure it doesn’t happen.”
Smith’s comments sparked outrage among many, including prominent ESPN host Michelle Beadle.
Here’s what Beadle tweeted after hearing Smith’s comments:
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
I was in an abusive relationship once. I'm aware that men & women can both be the abuser. To spread a message that we not 'provoke' is wrong
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
Violence isn't the victim's issue. It's the abuser's. To insinuate otherwise is irresponsible and disgusting. Walk. Away.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
Smith, feeling his point was lost and that his message was distorted, felt the need to clarify his point via Twitter. Here’s what he said:
This will be a long tweeted message, folks. So please stay with me and let me finish my complete thought before responding…b/c i'm ANNOYED
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
In discussing the Ray Rice ruling earlier today on @ESPN_FirstTake, me and @RealSkipBayless ventured into discussing domestic violence.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
Upon hearing what I had to say, although admitting I could've been more articulate on the matter, let me be clear: I don't understand how on
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
earth someone could interpret that I somehow was saying women are to blame for domestic violence. And when I saw @MichelleDBeadle — a
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
colleague I have profound respect for — tweet what she tweeted, enough is enough. Something needs to be said right now.
REPEATEDLY i said:
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
There is absolutely no excuse to put your hands on a women. REPEATEDLY, I said dudes who do that need to be dealt with. REPEATEDLY, I echoed
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
when confronted by it in the past — when someone was stupid enough to touch a loved one of this man, raised by 4 older sisters, a mom and
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
numerous female relatives and loved ones, that man was dealt with. From that point, I simply asked: now what about the other side.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
If a man is pathetic and stupid enough to put his hands on a woman — which I have NEVER DONE, btw — of course he needs to pay the price.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
Who on earth is denying that? But what about addressing women on how they can help prevent the obvious wrong being done upon them?
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
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
And any woman out there who misconstrued what I said. I have always — and will always — find violence against a women every bit as
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
horrific as women, themselves, find it. Always have. Always will, which my personal behavior exemplifies. I'll strive to be more articulate
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
in the future. But be clear, I wasn't BLAMING women for anything. I was simply saying to take all things into consideration for preventative
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
purposes. Period.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014
After sending all the tweets, Smith later chose to send one statement in which he did not reiterate the previous points he was trying to make.
Here’s what he said:
“My series of tweets a short time ago is not an adequate way to capture my thoughts so I am using a single tweet via Twitlonger to more appropriately and effectively clarify my remarks from earlier today about the Ray Rice situation. I completely recognize the sensitivity of the issues and the confusion and disgust that my comments caused. First off, as I said earlier and I want to reiterate strongly, it is never OK to put your hands on a women. Ever. I understand why that important point was lost in my other comments, which did not come out as I intended. I want to state very clearly. I do NOT believe a woman provokes the horrible domestic abuses that are sadly such a major problem in our society. I wasn’t trying to say that or even imply it when I was discussing my own personal upbringing and the important role the women in my family have played in my life. I understand why my comments could be taken another way. I should have done a better job articulating my thoughts and I sincerely apologize.”
