They Died 2021

50 THEY DIED 2021 Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer NEW YORK: L EADERS IN the Jamaican diaspora hailed former United States Secretary of State General Colin Powell as a man of excellence and a defender of democracy as news surfaced of his passing from COVID-19 complications. The 84-year-old Powell, who was born in Harlem in New York in 1937 to Jamaican parents, died on Monday Octuber 18 at the Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland, despite being fully vaccinated against the disease. He was also battling cancer. Powell was wounded and decorated for his military service in Vietnam, before becoming a key figure in a number of Republican administrations. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who is also of Jamaican heritage, was among those paying homage to Powell for his decades of service. “General Colin L. Powell was a trailblazer in the US military establishment. He rose through the ranks to become a four-star general and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the [George H.W.] Bush administration, and he would go on to be appointed the first black US secretary of state [under George W. Bush]. He was a hero to many,” she said. “Like me, he was born and raised in New York to Jamaican immigrant parents and was a proud Jamaican American.” New York State Assemblyman N. Nick Perry said that Powell’s distinguished life was one that immigrants, sons of immigrants and all Americans could look to and emulate. “General Powell’s accomplishments were celebrated not only by African Americans, but lauded and appreciated by Caribbean American community, especially Jamaican Americans, who took great pride in claiming him as a son of Jamaica,” said the assemblyman, expressing gratitude for Powell’s service to the United States and the wider world. “He was an icon to many people around the world. A man of excellence, grace and dignity. He epitomised dedication and hard work,” noted New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. “All Jamaicans are saddened by the loss of this historical figure who truly opened the doors to make it possible for other Jamaicans, and other immigrants, to follow.” Jamaican Georgia State Assemblywoman Donna McLeod said that Powell was a voice of strength and reason on the world stage, whose Jamaican roots made his fellow countrymen proud. “Jamaica has a lot to be proud of in General Powell,” she said. Jamaica Global Diaspora leader for the Northeast Region, Dr Karren Dunkley, said that Powell was a remarkable statesman. “Colin Powell’s distinguished service record as the first black United States secretary of state has left an indelible mark on United States foreign policy and the world. Colin’s legacy as a great humanitarian and brilliant statesman resulted in him receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice. He represents the hope we have as Jamaican and Caribbean immigrants, who come to America in search of better opportunities for ourselves and our children. Colin’s achievement illustrates the power of possibility that our children and their children can achieve at the highest levels, when provided with the opportunity to do so. We convey prayers and our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” she said. Vice-chair of the Florida Democratic Party and fellow Jamaican, Dr Karen R. Green, described Powell as a man who loved his country and had a passion for duty and democracy, which allowed him to operate beyond party lines. editorial@gleanerjm.com P U B L I S H E D O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 2 1 “Gitsy is someone I know from long time, we grow up together and we produced together. We worked together on Murder She Wrote and that blew up.” Diapora salutes General Colin Powell