Policy
Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fanny Willis charged Donald Trump with 13 felonies that she alleged was an attempt on his part to undermine the 2020 presidential election in a state won by Joe Biden.
Willis also appointed private attorney Nathan Wade to the case, with whom she has since admitted to having a personal relationship.
To most observers, this may seem like a conflict of interest. Willis denies any conflict of interest.
The whole mess led Newsweek writer Kira Davis to question whether Willis, a Black woman, was incompetent and only enjoyed her position because of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates.
This accusation was raised by Stephen A. ESPN's Smith.
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“This woman should be ashamed of herself.”
Willis's recent defense of herself in court during her misconduct hearing revealed that the “diversity-first system” has become “an unmitigated disaster for hard-working black Americans,” Keira Davis writes.
During Sunday's broadcast, Smith stepped away from the sport for a moment to speak politically and attack Davis and her accusations.
“This woman should be ashamed of herself,” Smith said of Davis. “Because no matter what Fanny Willis did wrong, it has absolutely nothing to do with diversity, equity, and inclusion. It has absolutely nothing to do with DEI.
“The position she holds, no one disputes that she is qualified for it,” he insisted. “You may not like her and her personal choices — having a relationship with someone contemporary. I get that part; but to sit there and say it's a DEI issue just because she's in her position is absolutely ridiculous.”
DEI efforts are supposed to promote people from groups that are allegedly underrepresented in the workplace. Critics of DEI say this means putting members of a minority community in positions they don't deserve or aren't necessarily suited for, in the name of political racial quotas.
This is what Davis seemed to be implying about Willis.
Smith also disliked Davis' description of Willis as “angry” and “stupid.” According to him, these words indicate a certain type of racism.
“By the way, a black woman accuses Fanny Willis of not being polished and elegant and not being able to stay poised, while answering an uncomfortable barrage of questions on the witness stand…” Smith said.
“So, she had an attitude. She didn't like being bombarded with questions as she was, and so that attitude came out in her, 'So why is this jeopardizing her qualifications?'” Smith added.
Smith's interpretation of Willis's attitude and behavior on the stand is not shared by everyone. Here is one of the episodes in question:
“That doesn't make sense, Mrs. Davis,” Smith said. “This makes no sense at all. You have to stop,” he finished.
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Hire DEI or not?
Stephen A. Smith is one of the most important figures at ESPN.
Willis is clearly in an important position, making accusations that could affect a former — and perhaps future — president of the United States.
Whether DEI is part of Fani Willis in this situation is debatable.
But at least one ESPN host clearly doesn't like these fees.
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