John Branam: Strong Values, Bold Leadership

Barack Obama in Portland

March 21st, 2008

My staff and I just got back from a morning with 13,000 Obama supporters at the Coliseum. It was great to see the man himself engage such a raucous, excited crowd with new endorser Gov. Bill Richardson by his side. Sen. Obama is amassing an impressive group going forward into the convention, including Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who represents Portland as only a man involved in local politics for as long as he has could. What a line-up!

I made sure to weigh-in on Think Out Loud this morning with an online comment. The topic was race relations in Portland and how we move forward following Barack Obama’s refreshing, moving speech in Philadelphia this week.

This is what I had to say on this morning’s show on OPB:

Re: Obama and Race in Oregon

Growing up as a bi-racial kid in Corvallis, Oregon was both fascinating and challenging. On the one hand, it was a study in how to get along with kids from different cultural backgrounds. On the other hand it was almost unbearable to go for months without seeing another student or teacher who looked like me. Any loneliness, however, was counterbalanced by my pride in seeing my black father – a janitor – as a well-respected City Council member.

Today, like my father some twenty years ago in Corvallis, I am a candidate for Portland’s city council. I’ve run my campaign on the issues that will most determine Portland’s future: education, the environment, and living-wage jobs. Most importantly, I’ve run my campaign on collaborative leadership. Leading by dividing people by race, sex, or class is no longer acceptable, nor is it the formula for America’s, or Portland’s success.

As Sen. Obama stated, “We cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together.”

I do not think it is a coincidence that I have a chance to join city council in the same year that Barack Obama has a chance to be president of the United States. At all levels Americans are looking for leaders who are committed to harnessing the abilities, energy and vision of all citizens as we face the daunting challenges ahead. Sen. Obama’s speech gives America permission to talk in honest terms about race, an issue we too often discuss in sound bites. This is a crucial first step, and one Portlanders must take if we are to build a brighter future for our city.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy your weekend,

John

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