From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Mon Mar 30 2009 - 12:13:11 EST
Medhanie’s Announcement
March 22, 2009
Medhanie Estiphanos for New York City Council to represent District 35,
My name is Medhanie Estiphanos. I am a Democrat. I am running for the
New York City Council to represent District 35, which includes Fort
Greene, Clinton Hill; parts of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and Bed-
Stuy. I am here asking for your support and vote.
But before I get into why I’m running, I’d like to tell you a little
about myself: I grew up in San Diego, California. I attended Hamilton
Elementary, Wilson Middle School, and High School. But my start in life
goes back further than that. I was born in Asmara Eritrea, a small
country on the Eastern shores of Africa. However, as a result of nearly
four decades of war and famine, my family and I were forced to flee.
We made our way to Sudan where we crossed the border as refugees. We
didn’t know the language; we didn’t know the culture; we didn’t know
anyone. More importantly, we were Christians in a Muslims country.
However, despite the tremendous poverty there, we were greeted by the
people with open arms. And As soon as they saw our faces and understood
our challenges, they took us into their homes, fed us, and gave us a
foundation.
We spent nearly three years in Sudan waiting, praying, and dreaming for
our chance at freedom, for our chance in America. Nearly 22 years ago,
that dream came true, and we arrived in what is now my home town, San
Diego, California.
However, arriving in San Diego wasn’t the solution to all of our
problems. In fact, it often felt like déjà vu all over again. We found
ourselves in circumstances similar to our start in Sudan. We didn’t know
the language; we didn’t know the culture, and often times we felt lost
and isolated in a great big country. However and again, we were met by
the fundamental glue that connects all human being from every corner of
our world, generosity and community.
Although my father had arrived in the San Diego before we did, our
success in America was largely made possible by the people who greeted
us at the airport, by teachers who ensured we learned English and had
friends during lunchtime; by other emigrants who understood our
challenges and wanted our experience to be easier than theirs.
Our long journey was not only made possible by the hard work and
determination of my parents but by the hard work and determination by
people all around us. I couldn’t be here before you today if it were not
for the generosity of so many people. I am a product of a community. I
am a product of the fundamental principal that says my neighbor’s
success is my success - whether my neighbor is in Sudan, San Diego, or
Bed-Stuy.
This is a profound lesson that life has taught me and one that I always
carry with me. Generosity and community is in all of our nature, and it
is only when we live up to our nature either by circumstance or choice
that we as a people move forward better, stronger, and more hopeful.
You don’t need to look far to see proof for this principal. Nothing is a
greater testimony of this basic fact than the history of our great
nation. Whether you’re marveling at the courage of the pilgrims who
traveled an entire ocean seeking freedom, or the revolutionaries who
took up arms against the mighty British empire, or the slaves who
escaped north seeking release from shackles over a vast stretch of land
that seemed paved with barb-wire, or the marchers on Selma, Birmingham,
Montgomery, or D.C., we are a nation of a people who will live up to the
idea that from many comes a stronger one.
I believe at this unique moment in history, we have the opportunity to
affirm that principal in a way that is lasting and effectuates real
change in people’s lives. This is why I’m running for to represent
District 35.
Despite the tremendous wealth of our nation, for many Americans, America
simply isn’t working. Our education system is broken; housing is
becoming less affordable by the day; our environment is deteriorating,
our economy is collapsing; many no longer even hope for decent
healthcare, and politicians are often completely asleep at the wheel.
Even the life – blood of our great City, our subway system is no longer
working for us.
Whether you’re talking with a small business owner on Lafayette and
Fulton, a recent transplant in Clinton Hill, or a long time resident in
Bed-Stuy, people are feeling new pressures from all sides. They are
overwhelmed by the uncertainties of life. What’s worse is that they feel
forgotten and abandoned; they no longer believe government is working
for them, and that precious sense of community is being lost. This is
not the America we were promised. That’s why it is time to write the
next chapter in New York City history. That’s why it’s time for change.
In this unique moment in history, we have an opportunity to ensure a
future of shared prosperity, to ensure a green and sustainable world,
equal and unfettered access to education and healthcare, and ensure
every citizen regardless of race, creed, religion, or sexual orientation
has a fair shot at the American Dream. But we need to commit to the
future and recognize the worth and contribution of every American to the
prosperity and success of ourselves, our community and our nation.
We can do this because hope is in the air. Our community is filled with
new energy and is ready to do what is necessary to make a better
Brooklyn, a better New York – a better America. You can feel this energy
walking down Fulton St., DeKalb, or Myrtle. You see it in the eyes of
children who for the first time in their lives fully believe that there
are no limits to their future. You can see it in the eyes of our seniors
who’ve witnessed a long shot dream come true. We are ready, willing, and
fully able to make the future into anything that we choose it to be.
Right now I bet thinking, “this sounds fine and dandy, but I have my
doubts.” I say to you, nothing great has even been done without doubt.
How many of us doubted the idea of seeing a black man become President
of United States within our lifetime. And yet here we are – in one of
the most improbable moments in American history – having done what many
thought couldn’t be done.
Change won’t be easy. It’s never easy. It’ll be a long road paved with
many challenges, but we will get there. And it starts now - not with a
simple change in policy or legislation but with a change in psychology.
We have to change the way we see ourselves, the way we think about the
great and small challenges, and the way we think about solutions. This
isn’t easy, but it is necessary.
Now, like change, this campaign won’t be easy. I’m challenging an
incumbent who won her last re-election campaign bid with more than 88
percent of the vote. She has the support of many members of the New York
City political machine. She has the support of unions, and a campaign
treasure chest much bigger than ours. In fact when I first told friends
and family that I was running for City Council, they were excited. Then
when I told them that I was running for Letitia James’ council seat,
they too had their doubts.
But our campaign isn’t based forming political alliances and
triangulating a victory. It’s based on the belief that when we come
together and act on our shared values, old and entrenched forces cease
to be obstacles. I’m running because we are coming together and we know
it’s time for a change. That’s why despite their initial doubts, my
family and friends believe in the task at hand and they know that
getting the job done is far more important than any doubt they may have
in their mind. That’s why they’re knocking on doors and making phone
calls. And that’s why I’m running.
My name is Medhanie Estiphanos. I am a Democrat, and I’m running for
Council District 35. I’m asking for your support and vote.
http://www.change35.com/?p=1