Colin Powell - An Admirable American Hero

‘“I think the comic book superhero came out of a context in which the political, social and economic realities were a little tough”’(Hyde). Douglas Hyde’s article, “Superheroes Rise in Tough Times” argues that superheroes came to be when America went through rough patches: The Great Depression, World War I, and America’s everyday struggles. Americans looked towards heroes, from whom we found comfort and hope which we needed to get through our struggles. As heroes come and go, they display similar traits. Heroes reflect and protect their followers’ ideals. Heroism is putting your life on the line to save others and exceeding what is expected of you for the betterment of others: A policeman breaking the ice on a lake and diving in to save a drowning child, a neighbor who saved four other people from a burning apartment, which killed him shortly afterward. Additionally, to me, admirable heroes rises from humble beginnings to hero status, yet never forget their story. Heroes also need to always do what is best for their followers and care for them. People will start believing in a hero who constantly is there to care for and protect them. Then, sometimes, heroes stop being kind. Then people stop believing in those heroes. A hero is no longer a hero when people stop believing in them. Truly respected heroes care deeply about the people who believe in them while staying humble and down to earth.

President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell talk about America's Promise at a press conference.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_PromiseColin Powell, a retired four-star general, is a hero due to his deep love and care for his fellow citizens whom he continuously serves, and his humbleness despite his numerous amazing achievements. Colin Luther Powell came into this world on April 5, 1937, in Harlem. Powell’s parents were Jamaican immigrants. When Powell attended the City College of New York, he found his mentor, Ronnie Brooks, through the ROTC program. Ronnie’s impact on Powell and Powell’s interest in ROTC drew him into the US Army. When Powell joined the military he gained respect for his hard work and achievements, and throughout his career, he received 11 military decorations, including a Purple Heart, for his bravery. Although Powell’s fellow soldiers respected him, as an African American, Powell faced harsh prejudice when he went outside of army posts in the South. Later, Powell secured his "dream job": an appointment as a White House fellow. In 1989, Powell was the first black officer to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, America's most prestigious military position. In 2000, Powell again made history when he became the first black Secretary of State. After his time as Secratary of State, Powell founded America's Promise, an organization designed to help young Americans grow and be able to achive sucess. America’s Promise is just one way Powell contiunes the betterment of society. A hero must possess a caring heart and humility. Another quintessential part of being a hero is caring about the cause she or he fights for. Colin Powell’s humble beginnings paired with his care toward his soldiers and their families propelled his successful career and made him an admirable American hero.

Powell treats each individual the best he can, he cares deeply for America’s soldiers, their families, and the future of America. Powell not only cared for his fellow soldiers during training and peacetime, but also cared for them on the field: “During his second tour, from 1968 to 1969, he was injured again in a helicopter crash. Wounded himself, he managed to rescue two of his comrades, for which he received a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, a Soldier's Medal, and the Legion of Merit” ("Colin Powell." UXL Biographies). Not helping the others who were stuck in the helicopter was not an option for Powell. He had to save them. He was the only one in the crashed helicopter who could get out without assistance. Powell pulled all the people out of the helicopter, even though he thought one of the passengers was dead. Even though Powell was injured he still saved as many people as he could, he would have done the same for anyone else at any other time because he values and cares about other people’s lives. Similarly, when Powell became the division commander for the V corps in Frankfurt, Germany, he impressed his ideas on how to treat soldiers on his fellow commanders:

"The American people had spent a lot to make the corps combat-ready. We had to make sure that not a dollar was wasted. They had also entrusted their sons and daughters to our care. The one thing that would guarantee trouble for a commander, I promised was not tending to the well-being of soldiers and their families. What I had to say this day did not differ from what I had been taught at Fort Benning over a quarter of a century before: accomplish the mission and look after the troops." (Powell 319)

Colin Powell talking with soldiers of his brigade in field training.https://www.achievement.org/achiever/general-colin-l-powell/#galleryPowell cares for America: he took care of our soldiers and made sure the soldiers completed their missions successfully, protecting our country and our ideals. Powell didn’t care about the power structure, he just wanted to ensure that no individual was overlooked, that everyone was cared for. Powell sticks to that philosophy throughout his entire life. Heroes care and protect their followers and that is what Powell does throughout his life.

Powell’s seniors and subordinates respect his rise from humble beginnings and hard work. Additionally, Powell never lost his humility as he advanced through his career and became more influential. Powell became the first African American to work in the powerful positions he held at the White House. Despite this, he never forgot that others paved the road he walked-- all the black soldiers and government officials before who strived for equal opportunities.

"On one of the last nights in the White House, at a reception in the East Room, a black usher had come to me and said, ‘Sir, I was a private in the Army in World War II, the old segregated Army. I never thought I would see the day when a black general would be in this house. I just want to know how proud we all are.’ ‘I appreciate that,’ I said, ‘but you don’t have it quite right. I’m the one who’s proud of what all of you did to pave the way for the rest of us." (Powell 399)

Even when Powell achieved the peak of his professional career, he remembered he could not have made it without the help and sacrifices of the people before him. Going beyond just remembering the fact he received help from countless others, he thanked them each personally when he had the chance, no matter the rank or social standing of the person. Powell has the utmost respect and appreciation for the people who helped him achieve his success. The respect he has for the people who assisted him return his respect because they received thanks when it was not asked for. Additionally, Powell never considers himself as a special case or better than anyone else:

"Powell, however, never ignored his background in New York City or the prejudice he encountered in the 1960s when off-base at various army posts in the South. ‘I've made myself very accessible to the Black press,’ he once told an Ebony reporter, ‘and I do that as a way of just showing people, 'Hey, look at that dude. He came out of the South Bronx. If he got out, why can't I.' Powell believed that his position as the nation's foremost military leader and spokesman provided a unique opportunity to deliver a positive message to African-American youth." ("Colin Powell." Encyclopedia of World Biography)

Powell does not boast about his achievements and is not ashamed that he came from South Bronx and faced racial prejudice throughout his life. Instead, he shows others what he has done and encourages them to achieve even more success than he did. While some people who achieve high status are ashamed of where they came from, Powell openly admits his humble beginnings, so he is widely respected and looked up to as a person and as a hero. A man from humble origins who achieved great heights, Powell is always caring and humble, which made him a leader loved by his subordinates and seniors, thus, helping him achieve great success and hero status.

Colin Powell working with children from the America's Promise.https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/04/11/colin-powell-alma-powell-reflect-20-years-with-americas-promise-letter-to-america/22034419/The combination of Powell’s humble beginnings, success, and caring heart is what makes him heroic. Powell came from a poor immigrant family, faced racial prejudice, and yet, he was the first African American to hold many prestigious posts in the military and government and often was the youngest to hold these positions. Powell also remained extremely caring towards his troops and America no matter the troubles he faced. Powell is an inspiration for all the people of America. His hard work and persistence leave people in awe, from reconstructing the military from the shambles of the Vietnam war to restoring America’s faith in its Army, and striving to better the country by forming America's Promise:

“Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell became America's Promise's Founding Chairman... Both General Powell and his wife, Alma, were highly respected as advocates for children and as leaders who transcend partisan politics. That respect, in turn, aided the effort to enlist alliance partners that would be essential to the cause. Impressed by the zeal of those who joined the effort, General Powell was eager to launch the campaign. 'It’s good to have an army again,’ he said” (Our History).

Powell demonstrated that he was able to achieve the American dream through hard work, determination, and initiative. Powell displays his journey for all to see, inspiring others to be like him, and achieve their own American dreams. He rose by finding order, discipline, and a job he loved. Powell’s care for his fellow citizens inspired me to treat the people around me better. Even as a freshman, I take a leadership class so I can become a caring leader like Colin Powell is. While superheroes rose when the realities of the world were too tough to face, real heroes face the harsh reality of the world and try their best to fix these problems. Powell worked to better America’s military through his influence and care while also breaking down racial stereotypes in the military and government, inspiring young Americans to pursue their dreams. Heroes are people who others believe in. Our modern day heroes stand up and protect our beliefs and ideals. America believes in Powell because he cares deeply about our people, rose from poor immigrant to the first African American Secretary of State, and defends all that America stands for. Colin Powell is a true hero.

Works Cited

"Colin Powell." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Biography in Context, Accessed 21 Dec. 2017.

"Colin Powell." UXL Biographies, UXL, 2011. Student Resources in Context,  Accessed 21 Dec. 2017.

“Our History” America’s Promise Alliance, https://www.americaspromise.org/our-history. Accessed 8 Jan. 2018.

Powell, Colin. Interview by Jackson Hole. May. 1998, https://www.achievement.org/achiever/general-colin-l-powell/#interview. Accessed 11 Jan. 2018.

Powell, Colin and Joseph Persico. My American Journey. Random House, 1995.