While Stephen A. Smith is no stranger to arguing over his controversial sports opinions, he is walking back recent political comments he made about Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Smith apologized to Crockett for criticizing her and adding to the vitriol that she and other Black women in positions of power face.

Smith says ‘I get it now’ in apology to Crockett

Smith made his apology to Crockett during a “special edition” of his podcast Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith. He addressed the “uproar” over his criticisms of Crockett in recent weeks and the ways in which his remarks have given fodder for conservatives like President Donald Trump.

“I get it now,” Smith said. “With Trump feeding into that nonsense, giving him fodder or ammunition to continue to go out there and talk about our Black women that way. I got it. I don’t like that at all. I don’t want to be associated with nothing like that, and I apologize because I respect the hell out of Jasmine Crockett and what she has accomplished.” Smith defended the brash style that he has used across three decades of journalism, saying, “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to call it like I see it,” but he also acknowledged that “it should be done respectfully. It should be done with the sensitivity that it needs to be done with. I get it.”

Mounting criticisms after Smith’s initial comments

As Blavity previously reported, Smith recently ripped Democrats for not doing more to work with Trump, singling out Crockett and accusing her of not doing her job when she focuses on criticizing Trump instead of serving her constituents. After Smith’s comments went viral, a number of people criticized his stance and defended Crockett. Smith initially doubled down on his remarks, even as he faced criticism from figures such as television host Roland Martin, Texas rapper Willie D, former NBA player Stephen Jackson, and journalists Don Lemon and Joy Reid. Crockett also addressed Smith’s comments directly, noting, “What you see if you’re not in my district may not necessarily be all the substance that also comes with me, but there is plenty of substance and if anybody ever wanted to ask, just like anything else, I always have receipts for the work that I have done.” She also noted, “It does hurt because it’s like I expect more and better,” arguing that her critics should sit down and have “a real conversation” with her and show her a measure of respect.

Trump and his supporters’ history of attacks against Crockett

As Smith noted in his apology, his criticisms of Crockett were particularly problematic given the ways in which she has been attacked by Trump and other conservatives. As one of the rising stars within the Democratic Party and one of the most outspoken members of Congress, Crockett has been a leading voice in criticizing Trump and his policies, such as his aggressive use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and his push for partisan redistricting in Texas and other states. In turn, Trump and his supporters have often attacked Crockett in offensive, racist, and sexist ways, including accusing her of being “ghetto” and “low IQ.”

Smith had been called out for ignoring the insults made by Trump and his followers against Crockett and other Black women, and Smith’s own words against Crockett were seen as adding fuel to conservative attacks against her. After initially doubling down on these criticisms, Smith has now proclaimed that he finally gets it. While this will unlikely be the last time he strikes outrage for his opinions, Smith’s apology may put to bed the current controversy over his recent remarks about Crockett.
The post Stephen A. Smith Apologizes To Jasmine Crockett: Here’s What He Said appeared first on Blavity.



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