Colin Powell

Thesis: Colin Powell is a great man because he overcame lots of obstacles; he became a four star general and later on secretary of state. 1. Introduction 11. Overcame obstacles A. Mom and dad 1. Advise a. “Powell learned what was expected of him trough his parents words and hard work” (workovits 16). b. Powell also learned most importantly from his parents actions (workovits16). 2. Work. a.” Powell’s life has been filled with challenges he always met head on with an iron determination (Randolph136). b. “Powell worked hard to honor his parent’s expectations that he make something (randolph136). B. Neighborhood 1. Equality 1. “Growing up on Kelly Street Powell never felt that he belonged to a minority” (wukovits120). 2. “People of all races lived in harmony in the neighborhood” (wukovits12). 2. Rough Neighborhood 1. “Luther and Maud had seen signs of rapid decay in Harlem and believed that’s the family would be much safer in a new neighborhood” (wukovits13) 2. “During Powell’s high school years drug dealers could be found on the street corner trying to sell heroin ,and violent crimes were occurring more frequently”(wukovits17). C. ROTCA program 1. Family

1. “The uniform gave him a sense of belonging, and something that he had never experience before while he was growing up he felt distinctive” (Wukovits21). 2. Powell and the other Pershing Rifles formed a tight-knight group that studied together, marched together, and chased girls together”(wukovits 21). 2. Awards 1. “When Colin graduated in June 1958 he received a commission as army second lieutenant.(Riley26). 2. “On June 9, 1958 Powell was sworn into the U.S army, because he had performed so well in his military classes and his duties as a cadet colonel (wukovits24).