OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — After being appointed to replace Rich Pahls as the District 5 Omaha City Council member, Colleen Brennan has faced backlash.
Most of the criticism has come from the Black community and has stemmed from her June blog post entitled, "The Conversation on Race." Many community activists have said the post furthers harmful stereotypes of Black people.
"Your actions and what you do leading up to you being a public servant, we need to be looking at that. Because that tells us what your character is," Precious McKesson, the Democratic Black Caucus Chair, said.
Brennan said her blog post was intended to start a conversation.
"Now we’re having these discussions, now we’re working towards problem solving instead of placing blame on groups which we should, life happens, we have to work together to solve problems, let’s do that," Brennan said.
In the essay, she presents viewpoints from both the Black and white perspectives. She says those views aren't hers but rather ones she's heard from others.
"These are things that have been said to me over the years, quite frankly, you watch old Oprah episodes, turn on Oprah, she’s said these things. These are not unique things that, I did not come up with this," Brennan said on an appearance on The Boss Morning Show.
Brennan said she's open to criticism but wants it to come in a manner that is a peaceful conversation.
"I’m always welcoming constructive criticism if I am wrong on something, bring it to my attention back it up with facts and I may change my mind. And that is the point of my blog," Brennan said. "If we’re going to have a conversation, a conversation goes two ways, right? I get to say my part, you get to say your part, and it has to be from a place where we respect each other. And if I raise a few eyebrows they’re welcome to send me an email."
Brennan said that while she's happy to have the conversation, her primary focus right now is her constituents in District 5.
