By Karon Majeel

Americans are once again passionate about elections. Political passion fueled only by sour grapes, however, fizzles without nurture and wisdom. Now that the elections are over, it’s time for Black Americans to “passionately” look ahead to the future.
Historically, and culturally, Black people have been nothing if not practical. We didn’t survive the devastation of slavery, and its ugly offspring of bigotry, without being practical, tolerant and patient. Deplore your government's policies, speak out and demonstrate all you want, because that's the American way. But leave enough room in your rhetoric for independent thought and bi-partisan action.
In a “Meet the Press” interview before the November elections, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama skillfully expressed a view that career political players, Republican and Democrat, share.
“It's in the people’s best interest when leaders reflect the common sense and pragmatism of ‘average’ Americans,” he said. In the post-election world, that means reevaluating and recreating policies and programs to make them work – practically – for the people. And it could require ignoring party platforms, limiting post-election patronage jobs and forging bi-partisan relationships – relationships that could serve the best interests of the African-American community.
Working both parties is just good common sense for Black folks. Our practical grandmothers warned us to never put all our eggs in one basket. Successfully promoting our own interests requires holding both parties accountable, not only for their ideologies and policies but, most importantly, for their results.
Black Republicans must challenge their party leadership to stop harboring racists within their midst just to win elections. The party of Lincoln must run -- and elect -- more Black candidates and take the party’s head out of the sand on civil rights. Black Democrats must challenge their party leadership to run -- and elect – more Black candidates for higher office (and beyond traditional Black neighborhoods) and adapt their platform to reflect issues that are relevant to the Black community.
We all must challenge Republicans to demote the good old boys (and girls) in party leadership, and speak out on social issues in addition to sexual orientation, even at the risk of losing some right-wing bigots in their base. We all must challenge Democrats to stop patronizing and taking our votes for granted. For Democrats, meeting that challenge may require breaking ranks with the left wing in their base when their interests ignore issues facing our community.
Remember facing off with your childhood rival on the seesaw? You were either perilously suspended in the air or you were flat on the ground. Nobody was going anywhere, and for someone to win, someone had to lose. Black Americans forget a painful childhood lesson when we consider politicians based solely on political affiliation or background.
So the next time you’re tempted to hate on Condoleezza for staying the course with President George W. Bush, or crack on the Black Congressional Caucus for raising more money for an exclusive annual party, be practical. The “talking heads” agree; elections are won and lost by swing voters, and parties are courting them. Perhaps a new and better strategy for Black Americans to gain true political power is to balance the partisan political seesaw by taking a break from the major parties and declaring our independence, too.