My name is Ndifreke “Freke” Ette. I believe in the potential of collaboration to transform our community. That is why I am running as a candidate for Amherst Town Council in District 1. I intend to focus on fostering collaboration and decisive action to solve critical issues: affordable housing; racial, socioeconomic and generational diversity; and investment in public infrastructure (the major capital projects, roads and sidewalks.)
My experiences growing up in Nigeria, studying in Louisiana and Texas and teaching political science across the United States formed my approach to politics. I prioritize constructive discourse and the search for space to achieve reasonable, pragmatic solutions.
In Nigeria, I discovered the significance of multiculturalism. People who looked like me thought and acted differently because they were raised in a country with abundant cultures and ethnic groups. On the other hand, my college education in Baton Rouge and Houston offered a glimpse into America’s complex racial history and showed that opposing ideologies need not be detrimental to local politics. These experiences fuel my passion for authentic political representation and drive me toward bridging differences in the community.
Currently, I guide efforts to increase representation for various underserved groups in engineering and partner with stakeholders to maintain a welcoming climate on the UMass campus. In addition, I serve as a volunteer with the Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, which supports Amherst in its efforts to reform public safety and become a more diverse, equitable town.
Amherst politics has a reputation of acrimony that has not only worn down our dedicated public servants but has also discouraged new voices from engaging in the public discourse. By embracing the power of compromise, we can rejuvenate our local politics and lay the groundwork for a stronger, more harmonious community.
In seeking a seat on the Town Council, I bring not only my experience, but also a proven temperament to foster understanding, unity and progress. It is time for us to collectively pave the way for a brighter future in Amherst.
Ndifreke ”Freke” Ette
Amherst