Colin Powell, the first Black secretary of state died Monday from complications related to COVID-19, but his family says he also suffered from multiple myeloma, which compromised his immune system. Nick Schifrin looks back at his life and career.
Five Facts
Who
was Colin Powell?
What
are some of the things Powell will be remembered for, according to this piece?
Where
and
When
did Powell serve in the military and in the U.S. government?
Why
is Powell’s legacy a complicated one, according to this piece?
How
was Powell at the center of critical decisions made by the U.S. government, according to this piece?
Focus Questions
What aspect of Powell’s career do you think is most remarkable, and what do you think will define his legacy? Why do you think so?
Media literacy:
Why do you think a look back at important public figure’s legacies is a regular feature of the news? Does an
obituary
like this help you understand the past and present of the United States?
For More
For more on Powell’s legacy and how he was at the center of many crucial decisions in recent U.S. history, see the piece below.
"I think his story could be inspirational not just to African Americans, but to everybody. I think we all have felt voiceless at a point in time." – Yaba Baker, fourth great-grand child of potter David Drake
