Ogletree Asks - Is it time for new third party?

• Originally published in The Boston Herald March 15, 2005 Copyright 2005 Boston Herald Inc.

By HOWARD MANLY


It's not necessarily a new idea for African-Americans.

Torn between the Democrats taking them for granted and the Republicans' disinterest and unabashed appeal to Southern white males, African-American scholars are starting to say aloud that it's time for an independent party.

Earlier this month, Harvard Law School professor Charles Ogletree raised the idea at several public forums in Cambridge and readily admits that creating such a party would take a long time and require a tremendous amount of resources, organization and fund-raising. But Ogletree argues that the timing is right to start those conversations, largely because neither party has ``addressed the everyday needs of the urban community.''

"Both parties have created a sense among many African-Americans that their votes are not just not counted but also not worthwhile,'' Ogletree said. ``There has been real talk, especially after the 2000 and 2004 elections, to create a party that has a principled independent voice in which a new leadership can emerge.''

American history is filled with attempts by blacks to become a legitimate part of the political process. Starting with David Walker here in Boston in 1829 and his appeal for blacks to rethink the political process that effectively excluded so-called ``free blacks,'' African-American intellectuals have touted the benefits of independent political thought - and action.

The will is there. The problem is the way, especially these days where the money needed to field candidates is getting out of sight. Beyond the cash, is the essential element of developing common goals. For the last century, goals are largely dependent on which side of the economic divide people find themselves on. While affordable housing and prison reform are worthy issues, they are not as important to those blacks flourishing in corporate America and living in the suburbs.

Common goals should begin with an economic agenda, and move on to hold Democrats and Republicans accountable for advancing those goals.

As it is now, the Republicans are not only receptive but actively reaching out to blacks and Hispanics. In 2004 George W. Bush earned 11 percent of the black vote, a slight increase from the 9 percent he got in 2000. But in some states - Ohio, for instance, 16 percent of black voters turned out for Bush. It's a far cry from the nearly 40 percent of the black vote that Dwight Eisenhower received back in 1956 or even the 32 percent of the black vote that Richard Nixon received in his losing 1960 effort.

For their part, the Democrats are asleep, knowing full well that even during a ``bad'' presidential election, at least 89 percent of blacks will vote for the Democratic candidate. Frustrated with the lack of return on their political investment, however, blacks are openly questioning the commitment to their interest among Democrats. In fact, only one African-American holds a high-ranking job within the Democratic National Committee.

``It's ironic that in 2005 there is less and less representation within the Democratic Party,'' Ogletree said. ``It makes one wonder if the Democrats really are taking us for granted.''

No kidding. At least Ogletree remains optimistic. ``I'm interested,'' Ogletree said, ``in all the new, interesting, outside-the-box efforts that are being made, because I think the two parties are so compromised and set in their ways that the idea of having real issues addressed is almost unspeakable.''

Ogletree is right on that. In the short-term, he believes that African-Americans need to regain their political activism, increase voter registration and participate more in local and state-wide elections.

``African-Americans, particularly younger African-Americans, are looking for a cause,'' Ogletree said. ``This represents a good opportunity to at least begin an honest dialogue on creating an independent party.''

Even if it's a long shot, Ogletree argues, it's better than no shot.