The phrase communication for change is now entering the lexicon of America's Southern African policy makers with about the same regularity that President Nixon promises us that his foreign policy will lead to a full generation of peace. Both policies call for support as an article of faith since the payoffs – change and peace – will not be realized until Nixon, Secretary of State Rogers, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Newsom, and most other current policy makers have moved on to corporate law practices and foundation presidencies. The mere fact that we are urged to accept policies by those who will not be around to be held accountable for them should concern us and perhaps give us cause for a healthy degree of skepticism. This article is intended to briefly assess the current state of American foreign policy toward Southern Africa and to consider how (if at all) current policy offers promise to the millions of Africans who live under racist regimes.