- 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.