Stephen A. Smith is all about having an honest and open dialogue even with people he might not agree with philosophically and politically. That’s what he did on the latest edition of his podcast K[no]w Mercy, when he had Outkick founder and political commentator Clay Travis on as a guest.
The conversation shifted to cancel culture, and Travis was first asked to define what cancel culture was in his mind.
“Cancel culture is I disagree with what you said, and you no longer deserve to make a living doing what you do. I’m opposed to cancel culture,” Travis said. “Whether you’re in media like us, or you’re just some random person who goes on Facebook and posts something. I think we should have real conversations.”
Clay went on to say that people should be allowed to have and express their personal beliefs outside the scope of their work without fear of it getting back to their employer if someone takes offense or doesn’t like what they say.
He compared Curt Schilling and Jemele Hill as an example. He noted that Schilling lost his job at ESPN because of memes he posted on social media about trans people. Hill was suspended for calling Donald Trump a white supremacist.
Stephen A. agreed, saying no one should be restricted from speaking their peace. But at the same time, not everything should be free of consequences.
“I think everybody should be allowed to say whatever they think,” Smith said. “Me, personally speaking, I think there’s a level of responsibility that we have to have especially because of the young folks that we’re influencing. I think the platform that you stand on matters. But I’m totally against cancel culture.”
