"Stephen A. Smith is a Sellout"; Defends Mark Cuban, Was He Wrong?

“’Stephen A. Smith is a sellout,’ ‘Stephen A. Smith is an Uncle Tom,’ ‘Stephen A. Smith ain’t black,’ ‘you ain’t one of us’ — these are the kinds of things that were said to me yesterday,” Smith said on ESPN’s “First Take.”

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recently made comments regarding race in America. Cuban said everyone has prejudices "in one way or the other." He added, "If I see a black kid in a hoodie and it's late at night, I'm walking to the other side of the street," he said. "And if on that side of the street, there's a guy that has tattoos all over his face -- white guy, bald head, tattoos everywhere -- I'm walking back to the other side of the street." Following his comments Cuban apologized to the family of murdered Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

However it was Stephen A. Smith that was attacked by many from the Black community for defending the comments made by Cuban. Smith "keeps it real" unlike the few African American journalists, social commentators, or TV/radio hosts that are in his position and profile would. He makes his points very clear. See the excerpts from ESPN First Take below:

Again we ask, Was Smith wrong for what he said?







Dr Boyce Watkins says Stephen A. Smith has no business defending Mark Cuban in response to Smith's original comments. (at 15:00 mark)

According to mark Cuban & Stephen A Smith if you are black with a hoodie on that means something is wrong with you. Wow! That's hurtful
— Corey Holcomb (@thecoreyholcomb) May 23, 2014

I agree with everything @Stephenasmith is saying this morning except the fact that everybody can be him. Not true. He's special.
— Charlamagne Tha God (@cthagod) May 23, 2014

TALK TO 'EM!! @stephenasmith is telling some real truths this morning!! #FirstTake
— Tu Rae (@ComedyByTuRae) May 23, 2014

LMAO! RT @stereowilliams: Saw Stephen A. Smith's comments on Mark Cuban. SMH. Yet another brotha having the wrong conversation."
— Black Canseco (@BlackCanseco) May 24, 2014

Okay #stephenasmith is confused His logic is off. Says black people are exhibiting the worst wearing saggy pants hoodies #ESPNFirstTake
— Judith Browne Dianis (@jbrownedianis) May 23, 2014

@stephenasmith was overly defensive today on #FirstTake but @MichaelEDyson was 100% correct. Whites who rationalize racism are dangerous!
— omar tyree (@omartyree) May 23, 2014

Stephen A. Smith's original comments regarding Mark Cuban's comment that caused a firestorm.

I said what I said re: @mcuban comments and I meant what I meant. @mcuban said nothing wrong. He was just honest. Don't run. Deal with it.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 22, 2014