Colin Powell General Colin Powell

Colin Powell General Colin Powell is a prime example of someone who, with heart, determination, and a "never give up" attitude, achieved the American dream. This work will briefly outline three points about his life that make him an expemplary example of an adaptable and capable man who developed almost despite his lack of desire to follow in the path his parents, may have chosen for him.

1.His childhood growing up in Harlem with his Jamaican immigrant parents, 2.His long and decorated military career, and 3.His impressive political career as an advisor for the last four presidents in addition to becoming the first black man as U.S. Secretary of State all demonstrate that he was a road breaker, in both a traditional and not traditional sense. As an young black man in the U.S.

Colin Powell followed a well trod path to career stability and personal development, making the military his career and then later following this career with years of essential work in government. When asked about his choice to follow this path he states; "I was a young black. I did not know anything but soldiering," Powell explained in his memoirs.

"What was I going to do, work with my father in the garment district?" (Mann 23) This statement outlines both the significance and necessity of his choice, given that his family lived on very modest means as Jamaican immigrants living in Harlem and the fact that he recognized and followed a path of personal development that was one of those limited to young black men of his era.

His being aware of the fact that his options were limited led to his strong and long military career as well as his exposure to options and political appointments that would have been otherwise distant dreams. Colin Luther Powell was born in New York City on April 5, 1937. Powell's parents, Luther Theopolis Powell and Maud Ariel Powell, were immigrants from the island of Jamaica. Powell's parents left Jamaica to pursue the American dream.

Powell lived in Harlem, New York, until he was three years old, when the family moved to the Bronx, New York. Powell's parents instilled in him and his sister, Marylin, a strong faith and a respect for the Anglican Church. His parents also instilled a hefty respect for formal education. Despite his parents' lectures on the virtues and benefits of formal education, Powell showed very little promise as young student. As a result of Powell's indifference to education, he was placed in a class for students who performed poorly academically.

He continued to approach education indifferently throughout his middle school and high school academic careers. Mihalkanin 406) Powell, later went on to study at City College of New York with a major in engineering, choosing the school for its price rather than its core values or prestige. After feeling frustrated by the engineering program he altered his path to geology and sadly his grades dropped. His exposure to the campus ROTC program led him down a different path to a military career, one he believed he was more suited for.

Powell, is open about his lack of desire to develop through a path of higher education and rather would like tot choose a more hands on approach, such as through the military. Powell is also frank and open about his unique position as a first generation child of immigrants of his race, as he gives credence to the fact that though he is black, he does not share the African-American historical burden of slavery and therefore has had only limited trouble seeking and assuming equality.

He attributes the high authority that comes naturally to him to his Jamaican parentage. He was born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, but, unlike so many U.S. blacks, he does not carry the burden of slavery. Speaking of his race and attitude to whites, he told the New Yorker: "One, I don't shove it in their face, you know? I don't bring any stereotypes or threatening visage to their presence. Some black people do.

Two, I can overcome any stereotypes or reservations they have, because I perform well. Third thing is, I ain't that black." Stephen 38) Powell's statement might come as a shock to many but he is well-known for his frank authority and insight. He is in a unique position to see and experience the extreme nature of inequality and discrimination but at the same time can transgress it to challenge racial and social stereotypes with ease.

It is for these reasons and others that Powell's career is peppered with internal and social challenges that do not always jive with those who surround and work with him. In fact Stephen, contends that Powell's star shined only weakly, despite his cabinet appointments (which he and some others believe may have been token appointments) until he was given the monstrous task of finding solace and resolution with the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

Stephen 38) Powell's now extensive career in both the military and as a politician give rise tot the idea that Stephen might be off kilter in his assessment, as Powell sought and achieved appointment and positioning much farther back than his Bush, Secretary of State appointment. Prior to this time he held the military position of a four star general, the highest rank then achieved by an African-American, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Powell, unlike many others whe serve high office under presidents was an is extremely open about his position of varied topics, not the least of which is his modern rejection of many Bush decisions, including but not limited to his voice of disgust at the developments of the Guantanamo military prison. b. New York City, grad., City College (B.S., 1958); George Washington Univ. (M.A., 1969).

The son of Jamaican immigrants, Powell was the first African-American and the youngest person to chair (1989-93) the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first African-American to serve (2001-5) as secretary of state. He entered the U.S. army (1958) as a commissioned officer and served two tours of duty (1962-63, 1968-69) during the Vietnam War. In the 1970s he worked in several staff positions in the White House, including in the Office of Management and Budget, and also served in military command positions.

In 1979 he was made a major general and the military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense, a position he held until 1981, when he assumed command of the 4th Infantry Division. From 1983 to 1986 Powell was military assistant to the secretary of defense, and in 1986 he served as commander of the V Corps in Western Europe. The next year he was named assistant to the president for national security affairs.

In 1989, Powell was promoted to four-star general, becoming the first African-American to hold that rank, and was named chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He had an important role in planning the American invasion of Panama in late 1989, and prior to the Persian Gulf War (1991) he played a crucial role in planning and coordinating the victory of U.S.