The following is a quote attributed to Mr. Colin Powell, US Secretary of State. "Challenge young people by having high expectations of them; engage them with the opportunity to realize those expectations through constructive, character building activities." In response to the above, I will share some thoughts.

Dear Mr. Powell,

It was not so long ago that we, people of African descent, especially people from the Caribbean, stood proudly as you became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the military of the United States. And most recently your elevation to Secretary of State. We were in awe by your candor, honesty and integrity, and along with others stood in solidarity with you. You were an inspiration to minorities, blacks in particular, everywhere.

Today you stand before a much larger audience disappointingly tarnished, because you were deliberate in not telling the truth. Your contributions to that dialogue will result in the deaths of thousands of Iraqi innocents. And it seems as though not too long ago, we too, were regarded as disposables by your new found friends. How soon we forget.

Earlier, some thought that you would resign, you did not appear to fit comfortably into the prevailing tenor of influence with its distorted values. It is now too late to do so, as the political and social risks would be substantial. Your new found friends would castigate you. Unlike those who, over time, have resigned over moral differences with their President, are blacks not
now empowered to mirror those same characteristics?

The vexing question Mr. Powell, is, what do we tell our children, those impressionable youths to whom you were a role model and builder of character? We cannot afford to lie. That would only compound the problem. Perhaps we should tell them that Uncle Harry was right, but that we will still love you when the lights are dimmed and the present laughter turns to tears, because we are in this together.