November 2012 - Oakland Voices

Reactions: Cop-on-Black vs. Black-on-Black

November 27, 2012 Ronald Owens

It seems that if you’re not killed by a cop, you’re a just a garden variety homicide victim. People don’t get too upset. You might get an impromptu curbside memorial. The local TV news might mention the killing in passing. And then, the victim of the day will be forgotten until the next man, woman, or child gets shot and killed. People seem to get up in arms only if a cop does the killing, à la Oscar Grant or Alan Blueford. If it’s black on black, it’s business as usual. But if it’s cop on black – oh, damn, it’s on!

Lam and I Both Move On

November 20, 2012 Debora Gordon

During the Fall semester of 2007, I was teaching in the OUSD Independent Study Program, seeing about 30 or so students per week, individually and in small groups by grade level and course. Lam was

Restitution & Reparations

November 20, 2012 Michael Holland

Bishop Williams says his movement is asking for “$21 billion per year from Congress each year from now on to build and rebuild for us homes, businesses, schools and all the things we need throughout the community.” That is a tall order!

Heart and Soul – ‘Ladies Rock Da Mic’ Brings Harmony to Oakland

November 14, 2012 Katherine Brown

For two soul-filled hours, the audience is treated to the raw talent that each and ever singer possesses. Each act brings to the stage their passion for helping others and for singing. The energy is infectious as the singers lead the near capacity crowd in rock, R&B, and jazz songs. With their voices, the singers unify the audience in song, and in the spirit of giving.

‘Negroes With Guns:’ My Black Panther Reeducation

November 14, 2012 Edward Cervantes

Today, mainstream media depicts a Panther demise into pimping, drug-dealing and gangbanging, but that history is questioned and should not remain as the Party’s legacy. In 1968, the police were the soldiers of a racist system and acted with impunity. The Panthers offered black communities much-needed protection, and through good works like teaching and feeding children, empowered and mobilized people to stand up against racial violence and rampant police brutality.

Artist Rachel-Anne Palacios Brings Multicultural Soul & Spirit to Oakland Students

November 13, 2012 Debora Gordon

By Debora Gordon Rachel-Anne Palacios’ grandmother was the spark that lit Rachel’s artistic fire. “I never did any kind of serious art,” she says, “but I would make things for my grandma for her birthday

Former Drug-Dealing ‘Street Star’ Becomes Youth Mentor

November 13, 2012 Sabirah Mustafa

Like Sankofa – the mythical bird in West African culture that symbolizes going back to retrieve things lost in order to move forward – Michael Gibson also had to go back and reconnect, while he was incarcerated, with his own history. He regularly draws on his past struggles to help him improve his life, and those of others.

Moon Cakes, Mid-Autumn, and Losing My Chinese-ness

November 8, 2012 Jian Di Liang

I have begun to understand why a lot of American-born Chinese people do not feel connected to their Chinese ethnicity. If their families are like mine – working a lot, with no time to practice their Chinese traditions at home – then the culture might not get passed on to the next generations. Besides, traditional festivals mean nothing to us if our parents are not able to celebrate them with us.

Re-Occupy The Movement’s Progressive Roots

November 7, 2012 Debora Gordon

By Debora Gordon I went to the beginning of the commemorative Occupy Oakland event on October 25th. I chose to go early and left before dark for two reasons. The more compelling was a lack