How would that feel?

Ask Sam Malone.

Malone is celebrating Veterans Day today as a Navy veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He won a seat on Cincinnati City Council last week, mainly thanks to an ad that was about as subtle as a depth charge. It showed scenes from the April 2001 riots, as Malone told voters, "I've had enough of boycotts, riots, runaway crime.''

That ad helped Malone win votes from whites and blacks because so many are sick of the crime cancer that was spread by the riots.

But for speaking the truth, Malone was told to apologize.

In an editorial endorsement, The Cincinnati Herald called Malone's ad "infamous and horrible'' because "he effectively says that he will keep the rebellious folks in line. Considering the uproar, Mr. Malone should discontinue the commercial, issue an apology, and cleanse himself of those thoughts.''

Malone replied, "That's not gonna happen.''

Malone is a former Golden Gloves and U.S. Navy boxer. He won't be bullied or forced to "cleanse himself'' of politically incorrect thoughts.

"I meant what I said,'' he says. "I have a problem with some black folks telling me what the standard is. If they disagree with me, go their way and God bless 'em. But I'm confident that many black people feel the same way I do, and somebody has got to take a stand.''

Malone won't back down, although he has been repeatedly attacked on black radio stations and other media - even after the election.

What's going on? He won. His position is no different than the anti-boycott position of black Councilwoman Alicia Reece.

But there's one big difference. Reece is a Democrat. Malone is a Republican. That makes him dangerously conservative - and black conservatives cannot be tolerated by civil-rights liberals.

Former councilman and Malone adviser Charles Winburn has been there, done that. "Some blacks believe African-American candidates only represent them. That's crazy. We have to be accountable to all of the people,'' he said. "Some people think we have to think in a certain way, like these monolithic leaders like Jesse Jackson.''

Malone and Winburn put personal responsibility sugar in the gas tank of the rusty civil-rights beater that is fueled by blaming racism. They don't say "rebellion'' - they say "riots.''

Just listen to Malone: "It's about time some young folks stood up and say, 'This is how I feel.' It's about time the black community just dealt with it. I'm fed up with saying, 'The white man did this.' Let's deal with what we are doing to ourselves.''

According to the 1960s model, crime is caused by injustice and racism. According to Malone and Winburn, crime is caused by criminals - and their victims are usually other blacks.

That painful truth is subversive to the 1960s model of solving "injustice'' with "programs'' and "grants'' that seldom trickle down past the civil rights leaders to the people.

Malone is the second opinion Cincinnati needs to hear - and that's why some people are trying to squelch him.

I hope that's not gonna happen.

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E-mail pbronson@enquirer.com or call 768-8301.