Stephen A. Smith says the National Association of Black Journalists made things personal when it publicly rebuked him over his treatment of prominent Black women.
The ESPN personality responded Monday after NABJ gave him a “Thumbs Down” award at its Saturday gala in Atlanta.
“It was a personal hit job,” Smith said during his show. “We can sit up there and lollygag around and act like we don’t know any better.”
During the presentation, NABJ accused Smith of showing “a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media.”
Smith rejected that claims and questioned why organization leaders never contacted him beforehand.
“If you felt that adamant about it, President Haines, how come I never got a call?” he said, referring to NABJ President Errin Haines.
Smith said the two later connected, but he bristled when Haines requested a private conversation before any public discussion.
“So you can go on a public platform, denigrate me, make these accusations against me without calling,” he said. “But when I challenge you to come on here face to face and have a conversation with me, now we want a private conversation before.”
NABJ stood by its decision, saying Smith was one of five recipients and that its concerns covered broader issues involving journalism, representation and media responsibility.
