I hate doing this. I shouldn’t have to do this. Nonetheless, the only reason I put the world “black” in front of conservatism is that it means something different being a conservative and a “black” conservative. For example, the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade was re-engineered because of pride and greed, but the Klu Klux Klan was engineered because of people like me. Let me explain.

Nathan Bedford Forrest joined the Klu Klux Klan in 1867 and was elected as its first Grand Wizard. He set out to intimidate, maim, and kill freed slaves, not because their skin was brown, but because they were becoming a major threat of a power shift. Blacks were the majority in several Southern states and were able to send numerous people to the state legislatures. They had 22 members of Congress. These freed men were “Black” Republicans and were a nightmare to the Democrat regime.

“Black” Republicans were attacked based on their newfound political affiliation rather than their mere melanin. The Democratic platform read: “This is a white man’s country. Let a white man rule.”

Fast forward today.

A conservative believes in limited government, lower taxes, the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, personal responsibility, school choice, respect for the Constitution, freedom from tyranny, and ultimately the pursuit of happiness. That list of conservative principles is the stalwart foundation of the Republican Party. However, to a “black” conservative, believing in those same unwavering principles gets you excommunicated from family, childhood friends, churches, and even job opportunities. Yes, it is that serious. Although I have a loving family, writing this so close to Thanksgiving could put me at odds at the dinner table with some family members and close friends. Black men like me are labeled as repugnant or otherworldly, not by the original brand of KKKism, but by a “Black” version of the Klu Klux Klan. It’s as if the Democrat Party has a modern day militia sent to silence “black” conservatives from voicing their political ideas.

Last week, I wrote about how Colin Kaepernick personally derailed his chances at getting another chance to be an NFL quarterback. Shortly thereafter, Stephen A. Smith, sports television personality, made a statement about personal responsibility that upset many. He said about Kaepernick:

“You see, he doesn’t want to play. He wants to be a martyr. I believe Colin would have had a job within two weeks if he had showed up and showed out. But it didn’t happen because he didn’t show.” He went on to say to Colin, “You don’t want to work, you just want to make noise and control the narrative. Your aspiration for an NFL career is over!”

The Internet went bonkers. Sports TV, radio, and social-media fans were outraged with Smith, but they supported Max Kellerman’s opinion. Why? Because Stephen A. held Kaepernick accountable for his actions, but Max Kellerman, a white ESPN sports announcer, was in agreement with how Kaepernick handled his NFL tryout.

On his show “First Take,” Stephen A. interviewed Terrell Owens, an NFL Hall of Famer. Owens, who also agreed with Max’s opinion, went so far as to say, “I’m in the streets. Max almost seems [blacker than you] Stephen A.” This was a low blow, but expected from the “Black” liberal mindset. Smith took a timeout and properly put Owens in his place.

When Stephen A. held Kaepernick’s feet to the personal accountability fire, Owens emotionally lashed out at him with the typical liberal rhetoric. What does it mean to be “black”? How can a man think with his skin color? Personal responsibility is a signature conservative principle that is hated among liberals, but Stephen A. Smith stayed true to what he believed in.

He has gone on record to address the black community and the benefits of conservative values. In a talk at the Impact Symposium at Vanderbilt University in 2015, Smith said: “What I dream is that for one election — just one — every black person in America vote Republican…”

“Black folks in America are telling one party, ‘We don’t give a damn about you,’” Smith said. “They’re telling the other party, ‘You’ve got our vote.’ Therefore, you have labeled yourself ‘disenfranchised’ because one party knows they’ve got you under their thumb. The other party knows they’ll never get you and nobody comes to address your interest.”

Having to put “black” in front of conservative shouldn’t be a notion. Nonetheless, there is a blatant and often dangerous reality that conservative black people have to deal with. There have been so many historical and political lies told, but the most condemning are the lies believed. God said to pray for our enemies, but He never said not to have any. Love those who spitefully use you. God bless America. Happy Thanksgiving!