Recently Al Sharpton was asked if he was "jealous" of Barack Obama. Of course, he said no and said he has not made any decisions on who he is supporting in the race, and that he needs to hear more from Obama. Now, I do not mind hearing more from Obama myself, but the jealous part got me thinking about Obama's run and what he really means long term.

Obama's run for President presents a new beginning in black leadership as well as an end. For years the African-American community as had a "call list" in regard to certain issues and aspects in the community. You have your religious leaders, political leaders, and community leaders. When there is an issue of police brutality, you dial Al Sharpton. When you have an issue with racism, you may call on Jesse Jackson. If its a religious issue, you look to T.D. Jakes. Now things have changed.

Obama represents the one thing, the one person that many have tried to be, or claimed to be looking for. He is the product of the civil rights movement as well as the results of doors being opened by the likes of a Jesse Jackson who ran for Prez in 84. The problem is he becomes the voice. No longer will people look to the Jacksons, Sharptons and others who are always free to show up on the Fox News channel. When something happens, we will ask: "What does Obama think?"

This puts a lot of people out of business in some ways. This also makes the "great hope" mantra a thing of the past. The worst-case scenario: Obama goes home in 2008, and is then a candidate for the White House for the next ten years. If he becomes Vice President, then its only a matter of time before he becomes the President. That alone would send shockwaves in the power struggle in black leadership.

Should there be another Hurricane Katrina, Sean Bell shooting, or any other comparable issue of that nature, his reponse will become paramount. What does Obama think? What should be done? The usual suspects who run to catch the media cameras then become afterthoughts.

So yes, Al Sharpton is jealous and so are many other black leaders. We have for so many years waited for times like these, and those who cried, marched, and protested for it now are "looking to hear more".

Though I will not endorse Barack myself at this time, as a black I am proud he is running and thank him in advance for opening doors for future generations, no matter what happens in 2008.

Hey, maybe one day I could be President.

Yes, me. I know I have an example, a person to model my dream on in a tangible form.

I wonder if Mr. Sharpton has made up his mind yet.