October 2012 - Oakland Voices

Native American Mental Health More Than A Dream

October 29, 2012 Sabirah Mustafa

By Sabirah Mustafa Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes asked the question,”what happens to a dream deferred?” “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?,” goes his famous poem Harlem, “or does it explode?”

‘Get a Straight Job’ & Stop Gang Banging!

October 29, 2012 Debora Gordon

I responded to the email Lam sent from Juvenile Hall within an hour of receiving it. That was more than 5 years ago, so I am trying to look back and remember what I was

GUNS Part III: Protection 2012

October 29, 2012 Debora Gordon

Recently, two Oakland Voices writers offered very different views on whether owning guns is a bad idea for Oakland and people in general, or just common sense preparedness for life in a tough town. But it didn’t stop there. They read each other’s piece, and replied.

GUNS Part IV: Still Strapped with Just My Wits

October 29, 2012 Debora Gordon

Recently, two Oakland Voices writers offered very different views on whether owning guns is a bad idea for Oakland and people in general, or just common sense preparedness for life in a tough town. But it didn’t stop there. They read each other’s piece, and replied.

Cease Fire Redux: Oakland Relaunches Crime Plan, This Time with Broad Coalition

October 25, 2012 Howard Dyckoff

Oaklanders are marching to demand an end to gun violence. There have been youth rallies, peace marches and on-going night walks in the most violence-plagued areas of East Oakland. Many of these events are headed

Modern Day Manifest Destiny, or Just Plain Old Getting The Hell Out Of Dodge

October 24, 2012 Michael Holland

In my East Oakland neighborhood, the sound of Crown Victoria cop cruisers can often be heard racing through the streets after shots are fired. Every few minutes, cars drive by with tremendous beat – Harley Davidsons with loud pipes – and all the gunshots. Antioch is starting to look better and better!

VIDEO – An Oaktoberfest Poll: Obama’s Reelection Chances

October 23, 2012 Ronald Owens

President Obama believes in settling things over beer. So I went to one of Oakland’s biggest beer parties to settle a question that must be big on his mind right now: four more years, or one (term) and done? As the locally sourced, micro-brewed organic lager flowed at this year’s Oaktoberfest in Dimond, I polled a few revelers on Barack’s prospects for another go round in the Oval Office.

Citizens, Clergy Appeal for Peace During East Oakland Night Walk

October 23, 2012 Howard Dyckoff

Three East Oakland Night Walks have been organized so far by City Team and Lifelines, in support of the Oakland’s Cease Fire program. I was on the second walk, which began several weeks ago at the Israelite Missionary Baptist Church at 21st Ave and 21st Street in the San Antonio area. People began arriving at 6:30 in the evening – all committed to making a difference on the violent streets of Oakland.

Notes from an Oakland Peace March

October 23, 2012 Howard Dyckoff

Two Peace Marches against gun violence snaked through through East and West Oakland last Saturday and culminated with a City Hall rally with hundreds of people asking City officials and candidates for City office to both help reduce violence in the streets and improve relations between the OPD and communities of color.

The double life of Lam Vo

October 18, 2012 Debora Gordon

As a teacher in Oakland, I often face the sense of unease as each new shooting or homicide is reported. I seem to read every few days the news of another shooting, and I always