Organized under East Oakland Building Healthy Communities’ umbrella, the mayor and would-be mayors flocked to Allen Temple Arms located at 82nd Ave. and International Blvd, seeking blessings from Deep-in-the “E.” But first the office seekers had to listen to voices from a medley of residents singing from their life’s hymnal−a song wanting what every citizen deserves−health and well-being.
Reverend Daniel A. Buford was asked to bless the proceedings. He reminded the audience of Allen Temple’s 95-year presence in the community and the church’s commitment to Prophetic Justice, before he prayed.
A Resident Survey and Score Card each with the same four categories: (1) Housing & Displacement, (2) Food, Community Gardens & Urban Farms, (3) Environment & Transportation and (4) Economic Development & Safety were placed on ALL chairs. The Resident Survey showed: 61% of residents were concerned about housing and displacement; 64 percent were concerned about food, community gardens and urban farms; 68 percent were concerned about the environment and transportation and 54 percent were concerned about economic development and safety.
The 10 candidates present were requested to respond to two of the four surveyed items. Did the majority of them respond to the community’s highest rated concern – Environment & Transportation? No. Only one candidate, Ms. Courtney Ruby, responded to that concern. However, eight of the 10 candidates responded to Economic Development & Safety, the least- rated concern, and their talking points reverberated the same improvement theme: jobs, education and crime.
The East Oakland Building Healthy Communities provided an online survey for the mayor’s forum after the event. I found the following question insightful: What was your biggest takeaway/learning moment from the Forum? . . . ¿Qué fue la cosa más impresionante que va a llevar o que aprendío del Foro?
I wonder how the audience responded to that question and what impact the forum will have on their vote?
The clock is ticking.
Gerald Green is a retired Mechanical Engineer. In 2007, Congresswoman Barbara Lee honored him for his: 1) engineering expertise, 2) 10 years’ service as a mentor volunteer to at-risk youth, and 3) for being a distinguished writer. Baba Green released his memoir, "Life Constricted: To Love, Hugs and Laughter," in 2010, which chronicled his family’s victories over tongue cancer in 1995, neck cancer in 1997 and prostate cancer in 2008. He has published numerous articles and is currently writing a book about African American men’s journey with prostate cancer. Baba Green is a member of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American College Radiology Imaging Network, where he serves as an advocate on the Head and Neck Committee. He, also, advocates for the Prostate Health Support Group for African American Men, sponsored by the University of California at San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Alameda County.
Gerald, just catching up on my OV reading. Thanks for this article b/c it gives some substance and context for what we do on the Friday night community walks in deep E!
Tom Webb