Stephen A. Smith Clarifies Remarks About Will Smith’s Obligations to the Black Community
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Stephen A. Smith Responds to Criticism Over Remarks on Will Smith’s Obligation to the Black Community
Stephen A. Smith recently addressed his controversial comments about Will Smith on his podcast. As reported earlier, Smith, the sports analyst, suggested that the Black community is still waiting for an explanation from Will Smith regarding the infamous slap incident involving Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. On Sunday, June 9, the renowned sports commentator reiterated his views via his YouTube channel, coinciding with the blockbuster success of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” at the box office over the weekend.
Despite his support for the Philadelphia native since the incident two years ago, Smith emphasized the importance of Will Smith addressing the Black community directly. He noted that Chris Rock may never fully recover from the incident and has been significantly impacted by it.
“We know you wouldn’t have smacked Ricky Gervais, Bill Maher, Bill Burr, or a host of others,” Smith said. “We know you wouldn’t have done that. No apology is necessary. I’m just saying a lot of folks ain’t get over that. A lot of folks find it hard to just go to the movies to watch you. I’m one of those people.”
After his comments sparked discussions online, Stephen A. Smith reiterated his stance in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Yep. I said it,” he wrote. “But I have some additional thoughts — thinking about all that Will & Martin [Lawrence] have done for us all — especially after talking to my man Charlie Mack. I’ve got more to say on ‘The Stephen A. Smith Show/Podcast’ tomorrow.”
Stephen A. Smith says he still finds it hard to go to the movies to watch a Will Smith movie and explains why Will Smith still needs to sit down and talk to the Black community about why he slapped Chris Rock.
(🎥 @stephenasmith) pic.twitter.com/NoE01TUSAx— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 9, 2024Advertisement
During his podcast, Smith clarified that he wasn’t discouraging people from watching the film but felt that Will Smith hadn’t adequately addressed the situation. He acknowledged the backlash from Will Smith supporters and clarified his position further.
Stephen A. explained that Will’s actions directly affected Will Packer, the first Black producer of the Oscars, and suggested that the slap incident might have impacted the reception of Smith’s film “Emancipation,” potentially costing director Antoine Fuqua a Best Director nomination.
“I was thinking about Black folks everywhere, aspiring to be in this business… and something like that happens, and it was a blemish on all of us,” he argued. “Because I know how much white America reveres Will Smith. And they’re thinking along the lines of, in my mind, ‘hell, if he did that, what would the rest of us do?’”
Stephen A. Smith addresses the backlash he received for saying Will Smith still needs to give the Black community an explanation for why he slapped Chris Rock.
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 11, 2024
(🎥 @stephenasmith ) pic.twitter.com/VGFZHod4Dq
Smith also emphasized that he never discouraged the public from supporting Will Smith, acknowledging that the actor’s life has been “more good than bad.” He shared that many Black fans of Will Smith disagreed with the notion that the actor owes the Black community an explanation.
“‘Who said he lost our support? He never lost it. We didn’t like what he did… but damn it, we love Will Smith and we forgive him,’” Smith quoted from messages he received. “‘You don’t hear Chris Rock talking about it, complaining about him. Eventually, they’ll meet and they’ll talk, Stephen A.’ We heard all of that. So, I got to stand down.”
In his original remarks, Smith alluded to Will Smith’s recent success and insisted that the actor still owes the Black community a conversation about his actions.
“Somewhere along the way he has to sit down and talk to the Black community. You can see all the White people around Will Smith all you want to,” Smith added. “Black folks have loved and revered this man for decades. He was the closest thing to perfection, as his friend Charlie Mac once told me.”
Stephen A. Smith made it clear he had no intent to villainize Smith but felt that the Philadelphia native needs to explain his actions on the night of the incident. “Everybody makes a mistake. This is not hatred. I love Will Smith still. But you gotta have a conversation as to why you did that.”
The ESPN commentator voiced skepticism about whether Smith would have assaulted a white comedian and concluded by acknowledging Smith’s talents while expressing his reluctance to watch his films until he properly addresses his actions.
“Will Smith, you’re phenomenal. Phenomenal talent, phenomenal actor, phenomenal individual, you lost your way one night,” Smith said. “We need to hear that from you. I’m sorry. That’s what I need to do before I look forward to seeing your movies again, more than seeing a sit down.”
The slap incident at the Academy Awards created shockwaves through the entertainment industry, leading to Will Smith’s ten-year ban from the Oscars and all Academy events. Despite his later apology, Smith has yet to fully address the events leading up to the slap.
The success of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth installment of the franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, further highlights the ongoing discussion about Smith’s actions and their impact on his career. The film debuted at No. 1 at the box office, earning $56 million domestically and $48.6 million internationally, totaling $104.6 million in global sales.
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
