The Reaction of Colin Powell's Speech at Howard University

The Reaction of Colin Powell's Speech at Howard University

General Colin Powell did the Commencement speech at Howard University on May 25, 1994. He did the speech after a cloud of controversy had happen at the university. A racist Black Muslim made a speech at Howard University. Howard policy is that anybody can express his or her freedom of speech on there campus. As you can figure out, the white community did not think of that very well. Connie Chung did a report saying that Howard University was a racist institution. All of this pressure was coming down at once. Howard said that they did not agree with the Black Muslims beliefs but will let them speak and express their opinions.

Colin Powell is a man of high power. In the Vietnam War, he was an advisor to all of the top generals there. He was also an advisor to the Secretary of Defense. The final position he held was that of the Joint Chief-and-Staff. Colin Powell was the only black man in U.S. history to hold down such a high position.

Colin Powell speech was what you call a classic. Basically, he came from nowhere to rescue the honor of Howard University. He speech began with him calling the Black Muslim speaker ignorant. I think that opening statement set the tone of the whole speech. He let people know from the start that he wasn't about to put Howard into anymore trouble. The other part of the speech of the speech was telling the Howard graduates to go out in the word and get good jobs. This part of the speech was on the ordinary note. All people will go through this part of the speech. In my speech, I had that informational part also. You need to inform people on what is going on. If you don't have the informational part of the speech then you...

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...n the class for a distraction. I was more nervous for my speech than anything. A distraction would have destroyed my whole speech. Colin Powell showed me how to control a distraction. That is by making a joke or let the situation pass you bye.

The conclusion is one of the most important parts of the speech. You shouldn't say that's all, its over, and I'm finish because it show a sloppy side to yourself. Colin Powell conclusion was perfect because he concluded with wishing the Howard graduation class the best of luck in the future. That is a classic way to end a speech. Colin Powell really showed how much of an intelligent person he really was. This man went to a trouble university a brought them back into the light of the white media. Instead of hatred, he preached loved and that is why he is one of the great African-Americans in the history of the world.