What better way to celebrate America's annual celebration of Black History Month than to bask in the glow of the meteoric rise of a tall, tan and talented young man known as Barak Obama.

Our beloved ancestor, actor/playwright, Ossie Davis referred to Malcolm X as our shining prince when he eulogized this fallen hero. Obama himself is princely. No, not like Malcolm, but princely nonetheless. He's what our forefathers and mothers dreamed about, prayed about, cried about. They just didn't know who would come along and insert himself/herself into their dreams deferred. 

Just for the record, if others in the community of color choose to hitch their collective star to Hillary Clinton in the race for the highest office in the land, so be it.I know and many of you know, you can lose a race and still come out a winner at the finishing line. It's not about whether or not Obama succeeds in his quixotic quest to do what has never been done before...enter the White House as a resident and not a visitor.

No sir. It's about, in my judgment, the fact that for the first time in this Republic, white America as a whole has said we are not afraid to entrust its political and economic future into the hands of someone who doesn't look like the larger community. And, whites have said this nationwide. If you think that isn't a feat worth mentioning, then I'll show you some gruesome photos of what life has been for many Black men who've made their home here in these United States .

Barak Obama is good for the entire nation. For those who pooh-pooh his limited political experience as a reason to look past him to someone else for political insurance and assurance, may I remind you of the challenges we have faced these past 8 years - years where Katrina is no longer a female name but a human disaster for Ninth Ward Blacks in New Orleans . Many have said good-bye to their sons and daughters as they headed for Iraq . And, a number of those moms and dads don't know if they'll ever see Johnny or Janie come marching home again.

Obama gives us hope about what could be, even if the reality may not match some facts. One songwriter said, "I can dream, can't I?"

During this Black History Month celebration, there are many Black detractors who continue to ask, "Is Obama black enough?" Funny, nobody ever asked John McCain, George Bush, or America 's so-called first "black" president, Bill Clinton, such a foolish question.

If you don't like Obama, don't vote for him. But to make innuendoes about his past drug use, or imply that he's not up to the task is an insult to every wide-eye, doe-eyed little Black cherub who will one day read about the magnificence of a 46-year-old wunderkind who caused hearts to flutter, spirits to soar, and souls to rejoice about the possibility of a Black man heading this country as its commander-in-chief.

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