A Black President
When I was in my twenties it was hard to imagine that a Black man could be President of the United States. Actually, it was still unbelievable when I was in my late forties at the turn of this century (boy – does that make it sound like a long, long time ago). And while I don’t blame President Obama, I do think that part of the polarization of the nation occurred because so many Americans weren’t ready, and maybe never would be ready for a President of color.
But the road to Barack Obama was paved by many heroic figures, and foremost among them was Colin Powell. General Powell, as he wanted to be addressed, died last week. And, as is befitting our polarized times, even in death Powell became both a force for education, and a force of division.
Example to the End
We all knew that the General had prostate cancer in the 2003. He was a role model for men, as he immediately and openly dealt with the disease, and underwent surgery. What lasting effects prostate removal had on Colin Powell we don’t know, but he came back to a full life, including continuing his service as Secretary of State for President George W. Bush. But what we didn’t know was that in the last years, he had both Parkinson’s Disease and multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
So when the fully vaccinated Powell died of Covid complications, the right-wing media were hot on the subject. “The vaccines don’t work” they cried, “look at Powell”. But the reality was that Powell was susceptible, even though vaccinated, due to the effects of both the cancer and its treatments. His immune system was compromised, making him easy prey for the disease in spite of vaccination. Powell’s fate highlights the reason that everyone else needs to get vaccinated: to reduce exposure for those most susceptible.
An American Story
We’ve all heard the Colin Powell story: born of Jamaican immigrants in New York City, he went to New York public schools and attended CCNY (City College of New York). There he participated in the ROTC program, and became an Army Officer in 1958. He served twice in Vietnam, first as a Lieutenant early in the War when he was wounded, then later as a Major.
Powell worked his way up the ranks, receiving his first “star” as a Brigadier General in 1979. He served multiple roles both in the military and out: as Deputy and then National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State. He received his fourth “star” in 1989, making him a full General months before becoming the Chairman.
As JCS Chairman he oversaw both the invasion of Panama, and the First Persian Gulf War. It was Powell who helped developed the two pronged assault into Iraq. And Powell also advised President George HW Bush to NOT overthrow Saddam Hussein because it would destabilize the region.
He directly served four American Presidents: Reagan, GHW Bush, Clinton, and GW Bush.
A Good Soldier
Powell was the first Black man to serve as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Secretary of State. Throughout his military career he was non-political, but after he retired from the military in 1993, he affiliated with the Republican Party. He considered running for President himself in 1996, but felt that threats to himself and his family created too high a risk.
As Secretary of State for President George W Bush, Powell’s reputation in the Nation and World was so powerful, that the President virtually ordered him to present the “evidence” of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to the United Nations. As it turned out, the “evidence” was slanted, biased by Vice President Cheney to support the conclusion of invading Iraq. But Powell, a soldier trained to follow the orders of his Commander-in-Chief, delivered the message, and got the United Nations’ backing for the Second Persian Gulf War.
A Giant
There is a quote from Sir Isaac Newton:
“If I have seen farther then it is because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Powell stood of the shoulders of other Black men who fought their way up the military chain of command to rise to General. Powell rose above them, reaching the pinnacle of military service as Chairman, and also the highest levels of Government as Secretary of State. And Powell “softened the ground” politically. Like Dwight Eisenhower, Powell would have been a serious contender for President for either political party.
That acceptance by many Americans made it conceivable for the first time that a Black person could be President – leading to the historic candidacy of Barack Obama. America lost a giant last week, but the results of his career will continue to benefit our nation, as others “stand on his shoulders”.
