Dear Stephen A Smith,
I want to begin by acknowledging the incredible work you have done for historically Black colleges and universities. Your efforts as an ambassador have generated millions in scholarships, boosted student enrollment, and brought well-deserved national media attention to HBCUs. Through initiatives like the annual HBCU College Fair, you have helped secure over $12 million in scholarships, encouraging students to consider these institutions for their nurturing and community-focused education.
Yet, despite this, you have questioned why many Black Americans feel you have “betrayed your race.” It’s not hard to understand their perspective. As my co-host Chuck Modiano put it, “Stephen A Smith loves to criticize Black athletes, but he won’t go after Roger Goodell like that. He won’t go after owners that way.”
Too often, you target Black male athletes—Kyrie Irving, Kwame Brown, LeBron James, Terrell Owens, and Kevin Durant, among others—with a fervor and sharpness you don’t reserve for white athletes or executives. But it doesn’t end there. You have echoed right-wing talking points, such as when you claimed earlier this year that racism is less pervasive in the US than the “left” suggests, arguing that most people are judged by character rather than skin color. This perspective doesn’t align with the lived experiences of many Black Americans.
During ICE’s aggressive actions, you blamed Renee Good for her own death at the hands of federal agents. You then asserted that people praised ICE under Obama but condemn it under Trump—a pattern of selective criticism. You have also minimized Trump’s offenses, calling Democratic efforts to hold him accountable “lawfare.” This is particularly frustrating for Black people when you harshly critique Black athletes while downplaying a president convicted of 34 felonies. You’ve also attacked Black politicians, like Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, for not showing enough respect to Trump.
You recently criticized Trump for delaying the release of the Epstein files, but many recall you questioning why the public was outraged about those files when other issues deserved attention. Your frequent appearances with Sean Hannity, known for comparing Black Lives Matter to the Ku Klux Klan and denying systemic racism in policing, add to the inconsistency.
On Cam Newton’s show, you argued that every Black person should vote Republican because the Democratic Party takes our votes for granted, adding that we’ve been giving our votes to them since 1964. You neglected to mention that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 were all passed under Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson. Your phrasing—”give”—implies Black voters are sheep, blindly handing over support, ignoring that those rights were earned through hard-fought legislation vehemently opposed by conservative Republicans. This comes as the Trump administration celebrates the Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act.
I agree that both parties should earn Black votes. But you leave out a crucial point: Democrats may not do enough, but Republicans actively work against us. Your argument paints the Black community as naive and blindly loyal, which is not only wrong—for many, Democrats are simply the lesser evil—but also insulting. It’s another reason for the antipathy toward you.
If you want to address misplaced loyalty, perhaps you should lecture white Trump supporters who follow a man working against their own interests. I see MAGA Christians backing someone who ignores Jesus Christ’s principles, faces decades of sexual misconduct accusations, and on Easter Sunday threatened to destroy an entire civilization—yet still enjoys the religious right’s support. He has also hurt white working people by failing to deliver on promises to lower egg and gas prices, end wars, and boost the economy. Instead, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act shifts tax burdens to low- and middle-income earners while benefiting the top 1%. With broad tariffs, expired pandemic-era supports, and rising health insurance premiums, the impact is clear.
The consequences for Black people have been even more severe. Trump refused to apologize for a racist video depicting the Obamas as apes, and from day one, he targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion. Since his return, the Black unemployment rate has risen to 8.2%, the highest since the pandemic, due to policy changes, tariffs, and reduced public-sector opportunities. His administration has slashed Medicaid, weakened protections against systemic discrimination in housing, lending, and education, and targeted the federal workforce, a major employer of Black Americans.
So, Stephen A, you suggest Black people vote Republican to teach Democrats a lesson? You are intelligent and exceptional at your job, but the reason many Black people dislike you is that you promote an agenda harmful to the Black community as a whole.
Sincerely,
Etan Thomas