Stephen Jackson Calls Out Stephen A. Smith for “Different Energy” Toward Black Women & Black Athletes vs. White Billionaires
Written by b87fm on 10/14/2025
Stephen Jackson isn’t holding back. The former NBA star called out ESPN host Stephen A. Smith for what he sees as a double standard in the way Smith engages with people on and off air — especially when the person across from him isn’t Black.
The heated conversation started after Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams’ husband and Reddit co-founder, challenged Smith live on First Take over comments Smith made about Serena’s Super Bowl Halftime cameo with Kendrick Lamar. Ohanian questioned why Smith was talking about marriage — something, he said, Smith “knows nothing about.”
Smith later downplayed the encounter on his podcast, describing it as “playful” and insisting he had no problem with Ohanian.
But Jackson wasn’t convinced.
“You Don’t Have the Same Energy”
“Come on, Stephen A., bro. You get loud and all in your feelings about Bron when talking to a Black billionaire,” Jackson said in an Instagram Story. “But when you talking to a white billionaire, you humble. And you come back on your show talking real respectful, mild-mannered… Right, bro, listen. And you doggin’ the Black women. Stay out of politics and stick to talking about sports you never played, alright? Just stick to doing that bro.”
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Jackson continued,
“We’re not gonna vote for you. I heard you talking about running, don’t do that, bro. We’re not gonna vote for you. No. No, no, no. We’re not. … You do not have the same energy for other people, but you got a lot of energy for Bron and Black women and not everybody else, stop it.”
A Pattern in Smith’s Commentary
Jackson’s criticism echoes what many Black viewers have pointed out: Smith often seems most comfortable criticizing Black women — from Serena Williams to Kamala Harris to Jasmine Crockett — and Black athletes like LeBron James, while taking a softer approach with others.
Smith defended his Serena comments by saying,
“If that was my wife, I don’t want to see that… He is her husband, he loves her dearly. They have two wonderful children together, and I have absolutely no issue with him whatsoever with him wanting to address that situation with me.”
Still, critics argue that his pattern reflects something larger — the way Black women’s choices, bodies, and relationships are often scrutinized more harshly, even by Black men.
Activist Tamika Mallory addressed Black men directly after Smith’s recent comments about Rep. Jasmine Crockett:
“Black men I have a question. I see a lot of great commentary from many of you on Stephen A. Smith’s ignorant statements time and time again. This time he disrespected a powerful Black woman who’s putting her life in danger fighting for US. At what point will you lead the charge to TURN HIM OFF?!?!”
Tiffany Cross echoed the sentiment on the Native Land Podcast:
“Why aren’t Black men right now saying: Stephen A. Smith, we’re banning him. We’re not listening to his podcast. We’re not watching his show anymore. That’s what Black women do. We organize.”
While not every Black woman shares the same stance, Jackson’s decision to speak out has resonated with many — sparking a fresh wave of debate about accountability, power dynamics, and the responsibility of public figures when it comes to how they talk about Black women.
