On the brink of the presidential election of 1956, W.E.B. DuBois wrote a famous article for The Nation magazine titled ?Why I Won?t Vote.?

The idea of any black man not taking advantage of a right which, at the time, was not readily available to many black people and which, afterward, took a lot of blood and tears to win may be repulsive. But DuBois makes a tough argument.

?I believe that democracy has so far disappeared in the United States that no ?two evils? exist,? he wrote. ?There is but one evil party with two names and it will be elected despite all I can do or say.?

Nearly half a century and 11 presidential elections have passed since DuBois wrote that. But what DuBois said about the Democrat and Republican parties could be validly written today. As institutions, the parties often split hairs on policy positions. And when it comes to black voters, they share the same philosophy: Use them.

… DuBois would, no doubt, say this proves his 1956 observation. The difference between the parties, particularly when it comes to the status of black Americans, is indiscernible. The Republicans preach lopsided public policy that disfavors people of color and the poor. But if a black person signs onto their plan, they reward them with high profile jobs and opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Democrats advocate comparatively good public policy, but black loyalists are taken for granted, even abused under the presumption that they have no where else to go. They?re right about that much; the GOP is certainly no refuge and, as DuBois lamented in 1956, there is no viable third party.

But before we decide to boycott the polls, why not try our hand at concerted agitation? It?s time to make both parties pay up. No more allowances for good intentions, we want results. To hell with photo ops, we want real opportunity, real say-so, real respect, real power. Or else