How good of a friend are you? Are you truly a ride or die?
On this episode of What Was She Thinking?, after reviewing the first four episodes of Ride or Die, we determined that we are not that type of friend. Especially if being a ride or die involves killing people, burying bodies, stealing money, or jumping off moving trains. Like… no. 😂
But when it comes to recent events involving the NABJ naming Stephen A. Smith as the recipient of its Thumbs Down Award? Now that is some ride-or-die behavior I can get behind.
Smith was recently criticized for negative statements regarding Jasmine Crockett, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Serena Williams, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. At a time when Black women are already facing significant pushback—including reports of hundreds of thousands being pushed out of the workforce—and when public figures continue to make disparaging remarks about women like Michelle Obama, now is not the time to pile on.
It feels a lot like a bully seeing an opportunity to kick someone when they’re already down.
And while the other Black women mentioned may not be facing the same employment challenges, there is still a when you see them, you see me element to all of this. When one of us is under attack, we should all pay attention. When one woman loses rights, all women are affected. When someone is being unfairly targeted, standing by silently isn’t always an option.
I wasn’t in the room when the NABJ made the decision, but I sure would have loved to be. Because awarding Stephen A. Smith the Thumbs Down Award—even knowing it might upset a fellow journalist or two—felt like a statement.
To me, it says: I may not be the one hurting, but I see you, sis. And I will do what I can in this fight to let people know: not on my watch.
Now that is the kind of ride-or-die energy I can support.
Maybe that is what the television series Ride or Die is trying to convey in its own action-packed way. No, I won’t be jumping off moving trains or getting into a shootout with Albanians over $24 million. But if supporting and standing up for other women requires that same level of loyalty and commitment?
Then you can for sure call me a ride or die.