Stephen A’s Take: NBA Players can learn from Malcolm X .

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Detailed Summary of "Stephen A’s Take: NBA Players Can Learn from Malcolm X"

Release Date: February 22, 2025

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Introduction: Honoring Malcolm X’s Legacy (01:07 - 02:18)

In this poignant episode, Stephen A. Smith delves into the enduring legacy of Malcolm X, marking the 60th anniversary of his assassination on February 21. He begins by addressing common misconceptions about Malcolm X, clarifying, “Malcolm X was not a man that preached violence” (01:07). Instead, Malcolm emphasized self-defense and the importance of standing up against oppression, advocating for empowerment without inciting unnecessary conflict.

Current Events and Their Intersection with Malcolm X’s Ideals (02:18 - 04:04)

Stephen transitions to recent events that echo the tensions Malcolm X once addressed. He references the Four Nations Hockey Tournament in Boston, where political rhetoric, such as Donald Trump’s provocative comments about making Canada the 51st state, heightened national sentiments. “Donald Trump talking about making Canada the 51st state… it's a different subject for another day,” Stephen remarks (02:50), highlighting how political discourse can inflame rivalries, both in sports and society.

The discussion then shifts to the NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, criticizing the perceived lack of effort from players: “We saw players, new rules implemented because players hadn't been given effort and they were walking around like they didn't care” (04:04). Stephen questions the disconnect between athletes' responsibilities off the court and their performances on it, drawing parallels to Malcolm X’s call for purposeful action within the community.

Malcolm X’s Vision for Unity and Empowerment (04:04 - 08:08)

At the heart of the episode is Malcolm X’s advocacy for black empowerment and economic independence. Stephen emphasizes Malcolm’s belief in unity: “He wanted us to maximize those opportunities and achieve all we could, but in the process of that, uplift one another along the way, become a coalition, not be a collection of individual parts” (05:09). This vision underscores the importance of solidarity over individualism, especially within the African American community.

Stephen critiques the current state of athlete activism, suggesting that instead of isolated acts of protest like taking the knee, athletes could achieve more by pooling their resources to influence political agendas. “If the athletes themselves had pooled their resources and used that money to funnel the lobbyists on Capitol Hill to push their agendas…” he hypothesizes (07:26), proposing that collective action could address systemic issues more effectively.

The Power of Collective Action in Modern Society (08:08 - 09:44)

Expanding on the theme of unity, Stephen reflects on the potential impact of athletes banding together to influence legislation and societal change. He contemplates, “Think about the fear that's permeating through our nation where you talk about people losing their rights…” (07:52), suggesting that united efforts could mitigate fears around rights erosion and entitlement program cuts.

Stephen draws a comparison to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s concerns about his legacy, citing Harry Belafonte’s account: “He said, I fear that I've led our people into a burning house” (08:55). This metaphor illustrates the fear that advocacy for desegregation and civil rights might lead to fragmentation rather than unity. Stephen urges listeners to consider whether current activism fosters togetherness or division, emphasizing the need for collective strategies to sustain progress.

Reflection and Call to Action (09:22 - 10:17)

Concluding the episode, Stephen poses introspective questions to his audience: “How together are we? How together should we be? And if indeed we ever came together, how much beneficial would it be for all of us, not just the black community, but America as a whole?” (09:27). He encourages listeners to reflect on the importance of unity inspired by Malcolm X’s teachings and to consider how collective efforts can lead to meaningful societal advancements.

Stephen's final thoughts resonate as a motivational call to harness the strength of community, urging both athletes and the broader audience to embody Malcolm X’s principles of empowerment and solidarity.

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Notable Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith: “Malcolm X was not a man that preached violence” (01:07).

• Stephen A. Smith: “If the athletes themselves had pooled their resources and used that money to funnel the lobbyists on Capitol Hill to push their agendas…” (07:26).

• Stephen A. Smith: “How together are we? How together should we be? And if indeed we ever came together, how much beneficial would it be for all of us, not just the black community, but America as a whole?” (09:27).

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Conclusion

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith masterfully intertwines the historical insights of Malcolm X with contemporary issues in sports and society. By advocating for unity and collective action, he challenges NBA players and listeners alike to draw inspiration from Malcolm X’s legacy to foster empowerment and drive meaningful change. This thoughtful analysis provides a compelling perspective on how athletes can play a pivotal role beyond their sports careers, contributing to societal progress and unity.

Transcript

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[Daniel Tosh]

Hi, I'm Daniel Tosh, host of new podcast called Tosh show brought to you by iheart Podcasts. I'll be interviewing people that I find interesting. So not celebrities and certainly not comedians. We'll be covering topics like religion, travel, sports, gambling, but mostly it will be about being a working mother. If you're looking for a podcast that will educate and inspire inspire or one that will really make you think this isn't the one for you, listen to Toss show on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Unknown Commentator]

Today, February 21 marks the 60th anniversary of the death of the activist and civil rights leader who was assassinated at the Audubon ballroom in Harlem, New York in 1965. Malcolm was a vocal advocate for black empowerment and the promotion of Islam within the African American community, of course, and beyond. While a controversial figure to some accused of preaching violence, Malcolm X is also a widely celebrated figure to many Americans for his pursuit of racial justice. As I think about Malcolm X and what he stood for, I find myself wondering what he would think about today's culture, particularly when it comes to the modern athlete. But before I get into that, let me say this. Malcolm X was not a man that preached violence. We gonna put that to bed right now. He preached an eye for an eye. He preached the importance of one's self protection. He preached the importance of not turning to turning the other cheek when somebody punches you or slaps you or kicks you or beats you. Last time I checked that self defense, that's not preaching violence. He certainly didn't propose instigating it.

And igniting it.

He talked about defending oneself and not letting people abuse you and just standing idly and doing nothing. So let's get that out the way first. Secondly, I thought it was important to bring this subject up today because we saw the Four Nations Hockey Tournament come to its conclusion last night in Boston, Massachusetts where Canada beat the United States 3, 2 after Donald Trump gave a call to the team USA, by the way, you know, encouraging them to victory before they lost.

But that's a different subject for another day. Not his fault, but it happened.

And after we saw that match, or even when we saw it Saturday, and we saw United States being booed while the United States national anthem was being.

Sung, and we saw the Canadians come.

At us the way that they did. We beat them Saturday.

They beat us last night. We have to remember.

What instigated that, what started that to some degree.

Donald Trump talking about making Canada the 51st state. Obviously, they don't take Conley to that. Okay. And Trudeau.

Trudeau, Trudeau, rather, President of Canada. He came, you know, he spoke about that as well.

In the aftermath of Canada's victory, it's.

Important to recognize that emanating off of that subject at the same time that hockey had elevated its profile exponentially because everybody was watching.

Because of the friction and the tension.

That existed between Team USA and Canada, it was an opportunity to also lament what we had witnessed for NBA All.

Star weekend in San Francisco this past Sunday.

We saw a new format instituted. We saw players, new rules implemented because players hadn't been given effort and they were walking around like they didn't care. Now, what would that have to do with the assassination of Malcolm X? Directly, absolutely nothing.

Indirectly, everything.

You see. Malcolm X was about black empowerment. He was also about black economic empowerment. He wanted us. He wanted equal opportunities and civil rights for us as a nation of people. He also wanted us to maximize those opportunities and achieve all we could, but in the process of that, uplift one another along the way, become a coalition, not be a collection of individual parts.

But come together as one and understand.

The importance of being together and how much that would serve to empower us in whatever agendas and missions we had moving forward. We just sat here and we talked about Donald Trump and we talked about Donald Trump talking about the president for Ukraine. We didn't talk about Donald Trump's position and purging parts of the federal government, including dei. We didn't talk about some of the things black folks fear, as my buddy Roland Martin pointed out when he said that there's a concerted effort to scale back every bit of progress we made since civil rights legislation came into play in 1964. We haven't talked about that.

You know what else?

We wouldn't have to if we were together more.

But we're not.

And that's why I thought that on a day like today where we're acknowledging the 60 year anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, we was to remind people of who exactly who he was.

And what he would have hoped for. Yes, Malcolm X evolved.

Yes, as he evolved, he thought a little bit differently. And he was more embracing of a mosaic society as opposed to just a black one.

All of those things are true.

But he also preached about the importance of togetherness. And I think about so many things that professional athletes have and the wealth they've been able to accumulate to accumulate, the generational wealth that some have been able to acquire, and how there's so many instances where we're nothing more than individual parts. I wonder, for example, when the George.

Floyd murders took place, the George Floyd murder in Minnesota, right around the time of COVID.

I wonder what would have happened instead of folks talking about taking a knee and locking arms with one.

Another, I wonder what would have happened.

If the athletes themselves had pooled their.

Resources and used that money to funnel the lobbyists on Capitol Hill to push their agendas to the politicians who are legislating laws in our land. Could you imagine what that would have done?

Think about some of the things that.

We'Re questioning right now.

Think about some of the things that are going on in our society. Think about the fear that's permeating through our nation where you talk about people losing their rights, wondering what's going to happen to them. Think about entitlement programs is going to.

Evaporate before our very eyes. Think about all those things.

Would we have to worry about it.

As much if folks had come together.

And pooled their resources to make sure.

To provide real influence so real things could get done?

When I think about Malcolm X, just like when I think about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I think of that.

And on a day like today, not only do I think of Dr. Malcolm X on the 60th anniversary of his assassination, I also think about Dr. Martin.

Luther King Jr. And what the late.

Great Harry Belafonte once said that Dr.

Martin Luther King said to him in his waning days, a matter of fact, it might have been the day he was assassinated.

He said, I fear that I've led.

Our people into a burning house.

Preaching.

About the importance of desegregation and all that could emanate from it. He wondered whether or not he truly had led us into a burning house.

That what he had wished for, that what we would ultimately capture, would lead.

To our fragmentation instead of our togetherness. I don't know if that's what happened.

More qualified minds than me can speculate about that or even edify you with their information. What I can say is that on a day like today, it is appropriate.

To at least think about that, to at least ask yourself that question. How together are we? How together should we be? And if indeed we ever came together, how much beneficial would it be for all of us, not just the black community, but America as a whole? It's just a thought that I thought I could leave y'all with for the weekend.

I hope you appreciate where I'm coming.

From, and I thank you for listening.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101 free agents, we'll have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.