ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has been taken to task for his incendiary comments on violence against women last week, particularly by fellow ESPN personality Michelle Beadle. In a segment on his show First Take, Smith segued from a commentary on Ray Rice' paltry 2-game suspension to a lecture on how women should take responsibility for domestic abuse. Although he repeatedly paid lip service to the idea that abuse is wrong and that men should never hit them, in the same breath he was admonishing them not to provoke the beatings they don't deserve. Michelle Beadle blasted his ignorant and classless comments on Twitter, calling him out for blaming women for putting themselves in a position to be victims.
Michelle Beadle commented on Smith's rant via Twitter (via Washington Post):
"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... I'm thinking about wearing a miniskirt this weekend...I'd hate to think what I'd be asking for by doing so... 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... Violence isn't the victim's issue. It's the abuser's. To insinuate otherwise is irresponsible and disgusting. Walk. Away."
Smith's original argument, while incoherent and full of double speak, elicited an almost universal interpretation (via CBS Chicago):
"In Ray Rice's case, he probably deserves more than a 2-game suspension, which we both acknowledged. But at the same time, we also have to make sure that we learn as much as we can about elements of provocation. Not that there's real provocation, but the elements of provocation, you got to make sure that you address them, because we've got to do is do what we can to try to prevent the situation from happening in any way. And I don't think that's broached enough, is all I'm saying. No point of blame."
Smith's later attempt to clarify his remarks via Twitter didn't really undo or take back what he said. He only reiterated his remarks that "men should never hit women" while downplaying the whole "but women should learn not to provoke" angle.
All in all, Smith's whole commentary was indefensible, and even his so-called apology was shallow and weak. When you place responsibility in the victim's hands, you alleviate the abuser of responsibility, and that is the key to perpetuating the cycle of violence against women.
Congratulations, Patriarchy! You just found your new poster boy for entitlement.
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