Recent anti-Semitic comments from Kanye West (now with Ye) have been closed linked To many of sports story, but they also garnered comments from sports insiders from fields other than sports. One of them is Stephen A. Smith. In addition to his sporting activities on ESPN, he has a podcast on cultural topics and social issues, “Know Mercy,” on Cadence 13 in Audacity.
of know mercyIn the latest episode released on Monday, Smith told the radio host Charlamagne the God (Leonard McKelvey) on a nationally syndicated show breakfast clubThey discussed mental health and Charlamagne turned the conversation to West (who has discussed mental health issues in the past). He said West shouldn’t use mental health issues “as an excuse for prejudice,” and Smith agreed. Here’s the clip:
Transcript provided by Know Mercy/Cadence 13:
Stephen A. Smith: “While knowing how much mental health means to you and knowing how much effort you are putting into addressing these issues, it is important to know that people are experiencing these When you get into the situation, it can lead to intrigue or they can turn to the whole mental health issue as the cause of some mistakes they may make along the way or throw up. do?”
Charlamagne the God: “Hmm, I think two things are true. I never intend to discredit anyone about their mental health problems, but man, many of these brothers, man, and many of these… sisters… I am now a brother but they have every access to the best resources and are not taking advantage of them…”
Stephen A. Smith: “When you tell our audience that they have access to the best resources, tell them…”
Charlamagne Tha God: “They have access to the best psychiatrists, the best therapists, the best spiritual advisors…they can go to these retreats…a year or two until they are sane… They have access to some of the best medicine … they have access to some of the best healing the world has to offer … and they are not taking advantage of it … I mean, how much do you Can I sit down and say you’re dealing with a mental health issue but wouldn’t you like to actually go out there and get some help with it? So, people have brought it up with regards to… Kanye West, but I…”
Stephen A. Smith: “I was preparing to go there.”
Charlamagne Tha God: “For me it’s like if I let Kanye use it as an excuse for bigotry, every white supremacist can use it as an excuse for bigotry. You know, anti-black people.” , anti-Semitism, homophobia, etc., can use that as a reason: “Oh, I have mental health issues.” I think it is possible for you to have… mental health issues and still be prejudiced. I don’t think they are… mutually exclusive at all… I don’t think they are tied to each other at all. I think they are two separate…entities…if you ask me.
Most of the comments about West in particular come from Charlamagne, but Smith spoke of West himself. 44-minute October 22nd episode of know mercy Mainly on West, titled “Kanye West Part 2: Tides Is Turning.” One of his notable clips there saw Smith take issue with West’s particular claim that Jews were bad for his business dealings.
Transcript from Know Mercy/Cadence13:
“[Kanye] West continued his rhetoric that Jews were the reason for his bad business deals and the backlash he received.what [do] Could it be? what a bad deal If you were worth $7 billion, how many bad deals did you make? How many bad deals have you had? what do you mean? Kanye, which one? If the Jews are to blame for the bad business deals they paid you, how do you say while boasting about being the richest black man in American history? They helped you or hurt you. They helped you or hurt you. choose one. did they both? is that what they did? Really? “
That October 22nd podcast We also saw Smith “revise his thinking” about West. he used to October 10 Podcast Titled “Kanye”. Criticism of West’s comments (particularly “doing descon 3 on Jews”) is fair, but “you can complain all day until the cows come home. You can’t touch him. One.” According to the Department’s publication, his fortune is $6.6 billion.” On the Oct. 22 podcast, Smith said considering both what West himself has said since then and what happened to him afterwards. , said I could have been wrong there. Some quotes from Know Mercy/Cadence13:
“Life has its quirks. It always does, and I’m no exception. Say something that resonates with me in a way I’m not used to. Admitting that I may have been wrong.” That’s not what I do…very often, ladies and gentlemen, I don’t think I’m wrong in the slightest because the reality of the situation is most of the time, but I’m human Like everyone else, I’m flawed in God’s eyes, and perfection isn’t my middle name, and when it comes to Kanye West, it certainly fits here.”
…“Obviously, it’s not about the money with Kanye West. It’s about the ability to have a voice, the ability to have a voice that resonates…[with]…heard by the public and everyone, so they accept it in a way and a way that his reach cannot be diluted. Well, I’m seeing evidence that people are disputing that. They say, wait a minute. Since October 10th, this little brother, Kanye West, has not only refused to stop talking, he’s been digging deeper and deeper and more brazenly, causing people everywhere to cut ties. And I have to admit, I never thought it would come…especially in the United States, the only place I’ve ever lived, the point is, you give people money. It’s whether you earn or not.It flows with you. they flow with you.
“Let me tell you on October 10th, I thought so. It’s late October and I’ve changed my mind somewhat, to say the least. Let’s count the ways. October 10th, Kanye West has been suspended from Instagram after being suspended on Twitter for using anti-Semitic language, Instagram followed suit after West shared an exchange with black man friend P. Diddy. During that exchange, he continued with this hateful language, saying, “Using you as an example, no one can intimidate or influence me to the Jew who told me to call him.” I mean, P. Didi can’t have an idea of his own, he can’t just be looking for a brother, he was influenced by the Jewish community, which means you Not only is it nagging P. Diddy, [the] The only reason he is talking to you is to appease the Jews. You imply that the Jew had an agenda and he contacted P. Didi to influence you. This is his one of many strikes. “
Interestingly, before this podcast was posted (but after it was recorded), West posted about Smith on Instagram, praising Smith for his past comments about how he built his brand and values. (although Smith might not agree if I offer those interpretations).
It’s been remarkable to see how Smith’s tone to West has changed at this month’s event, and it’s also interesting to see Smith talk about how his mindset has changed. Analysts take a position and stick to it no matter what. But certainly, there are times when new information can change a person’s perspective, and Smith’s move to change positions here makes sense.
[Know Mercy on Apple Podcasts]
