Colin Powell’s Cool Selfie Puts Your ‘Duckface’ To Shame

Colin Powell is generally considered someone you absolutely must take seriously. Having served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State, Powell isn’t someone you would expect to be doing something like taking a selfie.

It turns out that Powell might actually be one of the earliest practitioners of a hobby that is featured so heavily on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Colin’s own Facebook page featured a picture he took of himself, using an old school camera and what appears to be a bedroom mirror some 60 years ago.

As CNET reports, the caption for the post read:

“Throwback Thursday – I was doing selfies 60 years before you Facebook folks. Eat your heart out Ellen! The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

The best part about the Powell selfie is that you can see the respected war veteran the young man in the old black and white will grow up to be. He’s dressed to the nines with nary a stitch out of place. Colin Powell, it should be pointed out is not smiling in the photo nor making a ridiculous face such as the one where iPhone selfie fans pooch out their lips in an odd pout.

Powell is straight faced and looks ready for business wearing a vest, tie and dress pants. Despite being obviously quite a bit younger, it’s quite easy to see the Powell that will become one of the most influential political figures of the early 21st century.

Now officially retired from political life, Colin Powell has seemed to feel free to allow his personal opinions and personality shine through more. Once a man who seemed comfortable being seen and heard only when absolutely necessary, Powell speaks out about political issues and problems in our world more regularly.

Powell is a registered Republican and claims he still identifies with that party. Despite Colin’s political affiliation, he endorsed President Barack Obama in both the 2008 and 2012 elections over Republican candidates he had fundamental disagreements with.

In more recent days, Powell has blasted members of his party for “idiot partisanship.” Despite the backlash those comments received Powell has stood by his words while also remarking on issues like the Trayvon Martin shooting.

Powell’s standing in the American culture as someone who should be listened to is exactly why the 60-year-old selfie is so cool. The photo shows that Colin Powell came from somewhere just like everyone else and it demonstrates he’s got a better sense of humor than most would assume.