Is black politics changing to the point where black political hopefuls don't need the endorsement of the black political establishment? It's looking as though a U.S. representative and member of the Congressional Black Caucus thinks so.

Alabama Rep. Artur Davis reportedly is not seeking the endorsements of several powerful black political groups that typically represent an open door to the black vote in the state, including the influential Alabama New South Coalition.

He's kind of flipping the script, and it may mean the governor's mansion could become his to lose.

"The African American voters who will participate in the primary need no permission, and no sample ballots to decide who they favor in this governor's race," al.com quoted Davis as saying. The Seventh District rep is facing Alabama's Agriculture Czar Ron Sparks in the Democratic primary.

Davis, who recently caught attention because he joined dozens of other Democrats in voting against the recently passed health care bill, becoming the only Congressional Black Caucus member to do so. His reasoning regarded cost and bureaucracy and didn't win him many friends.

This time around, though, Davis' strategy may work. Even though he didn't seek the endorsement from Alabama's black political establishment, he did win endorsements from 16 mayors throughout the state who are in strategic cities and crucial to the election.

Now, I'm a big supporter myself of breaking free of black groupthink. Even the young woman featured here on BV, who is an outspoken black Tea Party member (I'm not going to use "tea bagger" in reference to a sista), is someone I can appreciate -- although her rhetoric is easily disproven -- because she's got the chutzpah to express an opposing viewpoint. Differing perspectives are good for us. Ultimately, we learn to take the best from all sides and move forward. Being mired in one way of thinking has historically meant no progress at all.

So Davis' political move, while the establishment might not dig it, is still ballsy on his part. It doesn't guarantee him a win in the primary or in the election, but it does show voters that he's not willing to wait until he's given a green light by people who might not even know what's best for his particular constituency.

For the record, I think he should have voted for the health care bill, because it contains, demographically, exactly what is needed for the people in his district, even if he doesn't think so. And he may have done more to ease tensions within the political groups whose help he may need in the future, so his approach could have been less callous.

But Davis actions, however arrogant, are a nice departure from a lot of the spinelessness of politicians who "serve" black constituencies.