I grew up in a very staunch Christian and Democratic home. If you had asked me 20 years ago why I was a Democrat, my answer would have been something along these lines:
“I'm a Democrat because of my mother and father.”
“I’m a Democrat because it's a family tradition.”
“I'm a Democrat because I was born a Democrat.”
“I'm a Democrat because John F. Kennedy was a president for Black folks.”
“I'm a Democrat for life so I will always be a Democrat.”
“I'm a Democrat because the Democratic Party is a party for the poor and the middle class.”
“I'm a Democrat because they supported the Civil Rights Movement.”
Finally, “I'm a Democrat because that's all I know.”
My lack of knowing the true history of both political parties twisted my whole outlook on politics. As a result, others easily persuaded me, and I fell for the deliberate schemes by some politicians to deceive me.
I was not converted to Conservatism. I have always been a Conservative. I just did not use the word “conservative” to describe my political philosophy.
“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.” 2 Corinthians 13: 5 (The Message)
This Biblical text marked a major turning point in my life when I began to test the way I was voting. I cannot tell you how many times I read this particular passage. One evening, more than 20 years ago, this scripture touched my spirit so deeply I became aware of God's displeasure in the way I was voting.
His message was clear. God wanted a public relationship with me and not a private affair. I was living a conservative lifestyle yet casting a liberal vote ─ voting the opposite of my Christian beliefs.
In essence, I was a “Pavlov's dog.” I was voting merely as a “conditional reflex” rather than using my critical thinking skills. Twenty years ago, I coined the phrase politico-schizophrenic to describe my pathetic state of mind. A politico-schizophrenic is a person who votes in a way that is the total opposite of what he or she believes as a Christian, i.e., voting for a political party that wants to change God’s divine definition of one man one woman to something entirely different. As a politico-schizophrenic, I was easily manipulated to support the political agenda of someone else even though it contradicted my Christian beliefs.
While I have been delivered from this sinful and self-oppressive condition, for the life of me, I could not understand what led me to sin this way and, in effect, spit in God's face.
My purpose for sharing my testimony is not to get Blacks - or anyone else, for that matter - to become Republicans. I realize I can no more get a person to become a Republican than a preacher can get somebody to accept Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior. I have come to understand that party preference is not what matters most, but whether or not my vote aligns with my Christian principles.
It is not about the donkey of the Democratic Party. It is not about the elephant of the Republican Party. It is all about the Lamb of God ─ The Lion of Judah.
My message is not to tell people how to vote, but to enlighten and educate them about their vote., to help people understand that voter apathy is the number one killer of liberty. It comes in two forms: (1) Those who do not care enough “to” vote; and more importantly (2) Those who do not care enough about “how” they vote.
One of the primary objectives of our Frederick Douglass liberty message is to help save the souls of the politically lost ─ political schizophrenics ─ those who do not care enough about “how” they vote.
Once people are made aware, my task has been accomplished. The responsibility of facing God’s cross-examination falls then upon their shoulders.
A former member of President Trump’s Coalition Advisory Board, KCarl Smith is the President and CEO of KCarl Consulting Group, empowering freedom advocates with the confidence, knowledge and skills to trump the race card. His column appears every Thursday in 1819 News. To contact KCarl or request him for a speaking engagement go to http://kcarlinc.com/bookingsandfees. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
