Customer Reviews

Open Letters to America: Essays by Kevin Powell

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Kevin Powell has a written a compelling collection of essays that challenge the young, the young at heart, and the not
so young to adopt a brand of leadership that is selfless and that allows us to save 'the world of ours from itself.'

Mr. Powell urges young America to avoid the complacency that has occured since the election of President Obama. He does a brilliant job in illustrating the historic framework that lead to Mr. Obama's victory and reminds us that President Obama is not the savior or the 'messiah'. Mr. Powell correctly states that we the people are responsible for creating positive change in our country. He also correctly points out that substantive progress is not possible without building bridges across multicultural and multiracial groups. In fact, he recommends that we adopt Dr. King's style of selflessness that believes we should love ourselves and each other as though the universe's very existence depends on it.

As a volunteer myself, I can appreciate Mr. Powell's advice to not only save the world but to save of ourselves in the process.
I have seen volunteers and community activists get burned out and become resentful of the organizations and causes that they volunteer for. It's important to maintain a sense of balance and to incorporate a division of labor mentality within our organizations to help avoid this from happening. He sums this up by saying, 'take care of yourself holistically, as you work to take care and help others.'

In another essay, Mr. Powell challenges a Congressman who represents the older generation of leaders who are self-serving and who care little about the communities they represent. This essay was particulary compelling because it sets the record straight
on Mr. Powell's track record of community service and how he's grown from the mistakes he has made in the past. He also challenges the Congressman to a series of debates to address the core issues affecting our communities. I agree with Mr. Powell when he says no elected official is above being called to task for their accomplishments in office (or lack thereof) or being questioned.

In the last essay, Mr. Powell address a woman who's close friend lost her life to domestic violence. He does an admirable job in demonstrating that not only does America need to do a better job helping women who are in abusive relationships, but also to give women opportunities for leadership and to be treated as equals to men. I give Mr. Powell a lot of credit for being such an advocate for women because we still live in a world where men would like nothing better than to keep the status quo.

Throughout these essays, Mr. Powell tells his story of turmoil, challenge, and redemption that is inspiring. He shows us that anyone can change for the better if they are willing to grow and to put in the work to continually improve themselves.


John Hinds
Author of 'What's In Your Water?'