The internet is a wonderful and horrible thing. For every wonderful creation of content and hilarious meme, there are fifty thousand ugly troll opinions, badly spelled insults and generally hideous commentary.
Take the latest shit storm caused by Stephen A. Smith and his comments on domestic violence that he made on ESPN”s First Take. Smith’s opinion that women could provoke domestic abuse was rightfully lambasted and there may have been no stronger rebuke of Smith’s comments than ESPN’s own Michelle Beadle:
So I was just forced to watch this morning's First Take. A) I'll never feel clean again B) I'm now aware that I can provoke my own beating.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
I'm thinking about wearing a miniskirt this weekend…I'd hate to think what I'd be asking for by doing so @stephenasmith. #dontprovoke
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
I was in an abusive relationship once. I'm aware that men & women can both be the abuser. To spread a message that we not 'provoke' is wrong
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
Violence isn't the victim's issue. It's the abuser's. To insinuate otherwise is irresponsible and disgusting. Walk. Away.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
So, after ESPN decided to suspend Smith from its programming for a week, some people were upset. Not with ESPN for suspending Smith. Not with Smith for saying such idiotic things in the first place. They were upset with Michelle Beadle for having the audacity to speak on the subject because it’s Twitter and outrage must flow in every direction. Yes, sadly a certain dark corner of the internet is saying that Stephen A. Smith is the real victim here and Michelle Beadle is a mean bully or something.
Here’s some of the worst of the worst if you can stomach it.
@MichelleDBeadle your examples about provoking abuse were AWFUL. You dont know shit about sports. You are acting like a h.s. girl. Grow up.
— John Robertson (@BigJRobertson) July 29, 2014
– @stephenasmith gets suspended for his opinion? Not his fault @MichelleDBeadle was in an abusive relationship. Choose your partner wisely.
— Sean Greene (@SeanIncredible) July 29, 2014
Aye @MichelleDBeadle didn't hear u say Solange should be arrested. Y'all want equality only when it suits you. Bitch.
— MagikMike (@mikeztyme) July 29, 2014
Yeah you fuckin cunt answer his question RT “@PoeticGenius19: Answer ONE of my tweets @MichelleDBeadle”
— _ (@RemarkablyDope) July 29, 2014
@MichelleDBeadle you probably support the woman who killed Steve McNair you whore! #RIPSteve
— IG : Juice_Mon5ter (@WizardKelly_3) July 29, 2014
@FleshAnneBone I blame @MichelleDBeadle for having him suspended :-/
— Mr. Clever (@SmartAssLuke) July 29, 2014
It is an ABSOLUTE JOKE that @stephenasmith is suspended from ESPN.. I hope you feel good about yourself you skank @MichelleDBeadle
— Teets (@BigTeets69) July 29, 2014
You got beat by a man so you think all women are innocent in abusive relationships @MichelleDBeadle ?
— Spreading Ugliness (@PoeticGenius19) July 29, 2014
I hope Stephen A quits ESPN and joins TNT with chuck and the boys. And then he puts @MichelleDBeadle on blast! I can only dream
— Josh Miller (@JAE_M1LLZ) July 29, 2014
ESPN SUSPENDED Stephen A. Smith for those comments? Are you KIDDING me?! Not his fault @MichelleDBeadle twisted his words.
— Evan McCullers (@emacattack2) July 29, 2014
