It is hard to believe that it’s has been almost five weeks since our world was rocked from its foundation.

In many ways time has seemed to stand still. Now as the bombs begin to drop in portions of Afghanistan, it is clear time is moving on and the nation is clearly in another stage of what has been called a "war on terrorism."

But I am concerned about one aspect of this fight.

In the weeks since the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, we have seen much of President George W. Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Attorney General John Ashcroft.

They step in front of the microphones with their gray suits and red or blue power ties, talking tough and sounding assured.

They speak to Americans and to the world about our resolve as a people and the determination to bring those responsible to justice and to punish those who aid and abet terrorists across the globe.

During this time when it is important to see images of unity, strength, and determination, I have seen very little of Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Condelezza Rice.

Has the Bush Administration forgotten the qualifications of these and other administration members who also happen to be people of color?

Has this become a time for white men only to take the stage and show the world who the arbiters of American policy are?

Part of the opinion people form in other parts of the world and despise about the United States is that whole white cowboy, conqueror image that has grown through the last 300 years or so.

While agreeing with the notion of getting the people responsible for killing almost 7,000 of our citizens, it really is bad that the President inflames that image by using phrases like "Wanted Dead or Alive."

I thought he was smart – smart enough to bring people to his team to convince people of color in this country that things have changed even if only a little bit.

Now is the time for him to put his money where his mouth is and show us that he was serious when he took these highly skilled people of color into his administration and that it was not just for show.

The white monolithic, posterior of the American government on TV is not an accurate representation of what we are.

But that image is part of the reason that countries hold an overriding animosity towards the U.S.

They still see the U.S. as a place where rich white people who come from privilege abuse those less fortunate, who in many cases are not white.

The nation’s elected and appointed leaders, that do not fit that image, are virtually absent or invisible during this crisis.

The acts of Sept 11th were an attack against all of us.

The terrorists did not make any distinction between where they would kill the most white people and where they could kill the least people of color.

They simply chose to kill as many of us as possible, regardless of race or ethnic background.

Given the city they picked, I could venture to say there was more of a likelihood that they would kill a proportionately higher number of non-whites.

Now that the bombs have started to drop in Afghanistan there will likely be more terrorists attacks.

The soldiers who are fighting and may die in this new war will not all be white and neither are the citizens who will likely die in this confrontation.

They, like the victims of the terror attacks, did not all come from money and privilege.

If there is truly a united front against terrorism in the US, then the world should see that on all fronts — especially from the people who not only represent our political views but our racial and social make-up as well.

If not asked to step up to the mike, then African American and Latino leaders should take it upon themselves to make their presence known.

That is, unless of they choose to stay silent because of their belief that what is happening is wrong.

Starting at the top, let the world see America and its resolve, Mr. President.