Popular radio host turned talk show diva Wendy Williams often refers to her preferred celebrities as imaginary relatives. For the first time in my life I’m feeling this imaginary exercise. I hereby appoint Colin Powell as my imaginary Daddy. No disrespect to my real father. He was a wise intelligent, funny and thoughtful man, I couldn’t ask for a better father. Yet if I were able to have a pretend Daddy he would be a mixture of my father and Colin Powell. I’m choosing Mr. Powell because he embodies a man who is with fault and readily admits error but also takes the time to teach others and understand as well as explain his error. Of course I’m talking about his post as Secretary of State and his debacle with the UN and the now fictitious weapons of mass destruction. Any other politician’s career would have been over after this sham. Colin took some time off, regrouped, admitted his errors, taught us why and went on.
During the recent presidential election he supported President Obama although his own party was portraying the candidate as a terrorist and Colin as a traitor. He stood his principles and was able to convey his support for the candidate in a way that was eloquent and meaningful. Once again “Daddy Powell” made me realize how undetected or better yet how unpopular he’s perceived when it comes to black issues, all because we think he may not understand when the irony is Colin understands much more than we give him credit for.
Colin more than many of us have fought many battle grounds both abroad and domestically. Yet he carries a superb air of humanity, dignity and never once have I ever heard condescension. Recently he was asked by Larry King about the “racial” incident surrounding Henry Louis Gates. His remark was mesmerizing and just well dare I say touching. While all the black elite pundits roar about the injustice imposed on Skip; Colin so eloquently “put it down” and truly revealed the real heart of both Skip’s and the officer’s error. As they say in Hollywood, “Roll the tape”.
I saw this interview when it aired and loved Colin Powell’s response. He does have an air of quiet dignity, doesn’t he? I love it!! I also appreciated the fact that he is great friends with Joe Biden, and when he slipped a few times and referred to him as “Joe”, he would promptly correct himself and say, He’s Joe to me, but I acknowledge that he is the vice president and I should address him as such.