John Nichols is National Affairs Correspondent for The Nation, a contributing writer for The Progressive, and associate editor of The Capital Times, the daily newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin.  He has written, co-written, or edited over a dozen books on topics ranging from histories of important movements in American politics and the Democratic Party to analyses of US and global media systems. His latest book, co-written with Senator Bernie Sanders, is The New York Times bestseller It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism.

Bob Welch is a former Register-Guard columnist and author of more than two dozen books, his latest two being Cross Purposes: One Believer’s Struggle to Reconcile the Peace of Christ with the Rage of the Far Right and Seven Summers (And a Few Bummers): My Adventure Hiking the 2,650-Mile Pacific Crest Trail. Welch is a former adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Oregon and founder of the Beachside Writers Workshop. He now authors a weekly column on Substack called Heart, Humor & Hope.

Don Gall is a retired Eugene area pastor.

Deborah Miranda Deborah A. Miranda is an enrolled member of the Ohlone-Costanoan Esselen Nation, with Santa Ynez Chumash ancestry. She is author of Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir, four poetry collections, and is currently finishing a fifth collection, maxana chempapisi: Blood Writing. Retired Thomas H. Broadus Professor of English at Washington and Lee University, she now lives in Eugene, Oregon with her wife, writer Margo Solod, and two large rescue dogs. Her article, “A String of Textbooks: Artifacts of Composition Pedagogy in Indian Boarding Schools,” is posted at academia.edu.

Visit Deborah’s website to learn more about her work HERE!

Robert P. (Bob) Tom, Grand Ronde Tribal Member, comes from the tribal people of the Southern Oregon Ashland area and south on the Oregon Coast along the Rogue River. He is part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. He and his wife Leah, Northern Cheyenne presently live in Salem and have 14 grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Bob was a long-time resident of the Eugene Springfield area. While living in Eugene he founded the United Indians of Lane County. During this time, he was deeply involved with the NASU students and the UO Longhouse community which became an important place for many of Eugene’s communities of color before there was a place for them in the University. He mentored many students at the UO and was asked by them to become part of the very first Council for Minority Education where he supported and advocated for all students of color. Bob is a loyal University of Oregon Duck. Bob Tom is a bridge builder between communities. Many generations who have graduated from the University of Oregon and lived in Lane County are grateful for his mentorship and generosity.

Bob Tom became the first General Manager for the Confederated Tribe of Siletz after the tribe regained Federal Recognition and Restoration of their tribal status and returned to live in Salem. The Salem area is where Bob was born in the hospital at Chemawa Indian School when his parents and family lived in Siletz. He moved to Salem eight years later. Bob lived on Chemawa campus three years. Later he worked at Chemawa during his high school years as well as several years after high school. He coached Chemawa Junior Varsity Basketball for three years and emceed many Chemawa pow wows. He was part of the Salem Intertribal Drum group and sang at several Chemawa graduations. He has deep roots in Salem. Wherever Bob Tom lived, he contributed, educated and led, a valued Elder.

 

Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic. Coming out of the election, we’re bringing together “We the People” to find a hopeful alternative to toxic politics. The American Hope campaign is equipping Americans across the political spectrum to work together and demand the same of politicians from both parties.

The Challenge We Face

As we separate into groups that increasingly do not even know, or interact with, people of differing opinions, we lose trust in our institutions, eroding the ability to govern ourselves and lowering the caliber of citizenship. This growing trend coarsens public debate, produces policy gridlock, shrinks our capacity for goodwill, and harms our family and personal relationships. Effective self government depends precisely on what this type of polarization destroys.

We believe the American Experiment can survive and thrive for every American who contributes to the effort. Where we go from here is up to us.

This is the driving force that fuels our mission:

Bringing Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.

For more information on the Southern Willamette Alliance of Braver Angels Organization, visit their website Southern Willamette Valley Alliance Braver Angels Website