ESPN host and political commentator Stephen A.Smith targeted the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for what he called a "personal hit job" against him in a lengthy rant during his show on Monday.Smith's comments came after the NABJ gave him a "Thumbs Down" award at the group's Saturday night gala in Atlanta over what it characterized as his repeated disparagement of prominent Black women.The sports host felt personally offended by the decision, calling out the moment as a spectacular lack of journalism from a journalism organization.STEPHEN A SMITH ADMITS BYRON DONALDS COULD MAKE HIM A REPUBLICAN, CALLS HIM ‘THE REAL DEAL’Stephen A.
Smith received a "Thumbs Down" award from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) over the weekend.(Paras Griffin/Getty Images)"The reality is that it was a personal hit job," Smith said.
"We can sit up there and lollygag around and act like we don't know any better.It was a personal hit job.
Which, by the way, usually doesn't phase me.I know you think something phases me, just because you see me commenting on it.
No, I'm in this business.I have a platform.
I can comment about anything I want to, and I will continue to do so.""That's not what this is," he added."This is different.
This is a journalism organization that didn't engage in journalism when it came to critiquing me.Disparaging Black women is a very incendiary thing to say.
If you felt that adamant about it, [NABJ] President [Errin] Haines, how come I never got a call?"Smith speculated that the award was focused on his past criticism of high-profile Black female political figures like Texas Democratic Rep.Jasmine Crockett.
He also revealed that he reached out to Haines regarding the organization's allegations to potentially discuss their differences, a conversation that ultimately went nowhere.STEPHEN A SMITH REVEALS DEVASTATING MOMENT HIS FATHER SAID HE WOULD NEVER 'BE ANYTHING'Stephen A.Smith criticized NABJ's decision during a rant ...