Stephen A Smith Blames Women For Domestic Violence (Video)

Stephen A. Smith should have consulted his “sources” before he attempted to explain domestic violence because he has stuck his foot in his mouth BIG TIME! While speaking on the Ray Rice incident, Smith essentially said that while men shouldn’t hit women — women should stop doing things to trigger a violent response. The problem with that is, who’s to say what should or should not trigger a violent response? If a woman calls a man a “bitch” does he get to punch her in the face? Another thing, how does this explain the thousands of women who are beaten by their significant other because he had a bad day? Or because he was drunk? Or because she may have accidentally burnt dinner?  Let’s think about this Mr. Smith. Domestic violence has never been black and white and it won’t become that way just because you say so. 

During the First Take discussion Smith says, “We keep talking about the guys. We know you have no business putting your hands on a woman but what I’ve tried to implore the female members of my family is ‘let’s make sure we don’t do anything to provoke wrong actions. let’s try to make sure we do our part to make sure that doesn’t happen.'”

Open mouth and insert foot, Mr. Smith. 

He later went on Twitter to further explain what he was trying to say, obviously after the damage had already been done.

“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.  In discussing the Ray Rice ruling earlier today on @ESPN_FirstTake, me and @RealSkipBayless ventured into discussing domestic violence. 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 earth someone could interpret that I somehow was saying women are to blame for domestic violence. And when I saw @MichelleDBeadle — a colleague I have profound respect for — tweet what she tweeted, enough is enough. Something needs to be said right now. REPEATEDLY i said: 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 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 numerous female relatives and loved ones, that man was dealt with. From that point, I simply asked: now what about the other side. 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. Who on earth is denying that? But what about addressing women on how they can help prevent the obvious wrong being done upon them? 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 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 and any woman out there who misconstrued what I said. I have always — and will always — find violence against a women every bit as horrific as women, themselves, find it. Always have. Always will, which my personal behavior exemplifies. I’ll strive to be more articulate 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 purposes, period.”

While I understand what he was attempting to say, as I stated above, domestic violence is not clear cut nor black and white. Women aren’t getting beaten like grown men simply because they bucked up to men. MANY are being beaten because a man is insecure and can’t control his emotions. Rather than give us preventative pep talks, spend that extra time counseling men who think hitting women is okay and justified. 

You can watch Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless discuss domestic violence below. 

While he never directly blames women, saying things like “well you shouldn’t have….” is definitely redirecting fault. Note to Stephen, don’t do that.