But Condoleezza Rice is also black. And if you were black, and brought up in Alabama - at the time one of the most racist states - and your father and his pals had to take their shotguns to man vigilante barricades to prevent the houses being torched by racist thugs in league with an equally racist police; and then one of your friends is one of four little girls who gets murdered by more racist thugs who blow up her Sunday school, then you don't forget you are black, nor that blacks in America had no rights to speak of, and certainly not the right to vote, not just when America was founded in 1782 but in the latter half of the 20th century. Above all, you never forget that in the land of the free your great-great-grandfathers and great-great-grandmothers were slaves. I was so moved by Secretary Rice's story that she invited me to see her home town. Huge new hi-tech investment, everyone with the right to vote, a multi-racial council, and police chief who is a black woman. So when I invited Secretary Rice back to the UK for a return visit, there was no debate in my mind as to the two places she should come to - Blackburn and Liverpool.. My Blackburn constituency used to be the weaving centre of the world, shipping in cotton picked by slaves in the deep south of the USA and then exporting the finished product around the world. And at the heart of this trade, of these connections, was Liverpool. A world class city with an extraordinary past - a testament both to the best of human endeavour in its imagination, its fine buildings, the courage of its sailors, and the worst, in its reliance too on the slave trade: and like Birmingham, Alabama, a big city enjoying a renaissance. It is the final point which was central to my decision. Liverpool's past will be a big part of our visit, as will the city's cultural diversity. But they do not fully explain why I decided to bring Secretary Rice to the city. What also struck me was the hope of the future. Out of the decline of what had been a great industrial past has come a new era of hope. When we visit the Albert Dock we will see a symbol of Liverpool's renaissance. I am delighted that through the visit the eyes of the world will be on Liverpool and that your success story will be seen by so many more people. I appreciate that there are some in Liverpool who were opposed to the Iraq war and other issues and who want to make their feelings known during our visit. Peaceful protest is a proper part of democracy. I fully respect the views of those with whom I may disagree. The visit will have many benefits for the UK as a whole. But just as importantly, I am sure our visit will bring many benefits for Liverpool. We will be followed by the world's media, so it is certainly a great chance to showcase your city ahead of what promises to be an exciting European Capital of Culture year in 2008. And I know that the city's business leaders see the visit as a golden opportunity to highlight the area as an attractive destination for investment. So, I wanted to thank you in advance for your hospitality. If there is one thing above all that Liverpool is known for, it is for the warmth of its welcome. I'm looking forward to experiencing it again. Best wishes,
the Rt Hon Jack Straw, MP Click here to leave your thoughts on our special Condoleezza Rice messageboatrd | 
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