No Way Stephen A

The ESPN commentator is the former president's undercover brother spokesperson.

Most Black people enjoy seeing other Blacks getting ahead.

We know how difficult it can be to survive, much less thrive in White-dominated environments.

That’s why a lot of Black people have tried to support Stephen A. Smith.

It’s not because we necessarily agree with him, because a lot of his quick takes on sports topics on ESPN are like a lot of quick takes – wrong.

It isn’t because he’s decided to be one of the former president’s most notable Black supporters.

He’s said that his old friend is not racist, but “He’s against anything not named Trump.”

Smith said that when his friend was in office, he helped to save Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), which is not true.

But it’s his latest soundbite about his old friend that has many of Smith’s Black supporters deserting him.

During an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity (another questionable Smith friendship), Smith said

“When you see the law being exercised against him (Trump), it is something that Black folks throughout this nation can relate to with some of our historic, iconic figures.”

In other words, Black people can relate to the former president because he’s being persecuted, and we have been persecuted.

He’s only half right.

Black people understand the swiftness and finality of the American legal system.

We understand how it feels to be accused of charges we didn’t commit, of being marginalized and ostracized by the very legal system and law enforcement agencies that should protect the rights and liberties of all Americans.

But Smith’s friend hasn’t toted any persecution water.

He’s grown up privileged and insulated.

He’s been fawned over and catered to.

And now this capricious, foul person is beginning to get a modicum of justice due him.

Our transgression is we were born the wrong color.

Most Black people haven’t incited riots, stolen money from charities, paid off porn stars, and sold national secrets for cold hard cash.

If former president Obama had done the things that the former president has done, he would be on death row for treason, and the only debate would be if his execution would be televised.

Black people can’t relate to any part of him.

Smith didn’t use names, but he was equating his friend with people like Dr. King and other civil rights workers.

Even the hint of comparing Smith’s friend with Dr. King is enough to make one nauseous.

An interesting side note to this story is that Smith’s ambitions could be compared to what only Oprah Winfrey has accomplished. A recent Washington Post article on him indicates that wants to become a multimedia mogul.

His choice of friends will have a direct impact on his ambition.

Smith can comment on sports, politics, whatever subject he chooses.

He can be as brash and opinionated as he wants.

But one day soon, he’s going to realize that his White audience may have grown, but his Black audience has shrunk to nothing.