Gun violence is rocking our city. But at Oakland Voices, not everyone agrees on whether or not owning them creates or feeds a culture of violence, or if it’s just smart self-defense. Two of our correspondents have very different perspectives on the need for guns in our homes and society. Here, one has her say.
“Growing up, there was just a negative connotation with being a single mom,” says Candase Chambers, “and now that I am one, I’m not that stereotype. I feel like I have to work hard to dispel the stereotype for myself, because when you meet new people the first thing people do is look at your ring finger and see you aren’t married.”
Bella Vista Principal Felicia Phillips addressed the crowd. “Most of our 5th grade students last year revealed that while most of them felt safe at school, far fewer of them felt safe outside of school. Crime and violence not only impact our students’ physical and emotional safety, but it can impact their success as learners. Yet we all choose to continue to work here because we feel connected to the community and are willing to partner with the community to make it safer for everyone.”
“I’m an evangelist and a motivational speaker. I can read people. I could see that you were a guarded person when you asked if you could talk with me.” I couldn’t disagree with her. “You’re passive-aggressive. Writing down what people say. I used to be passive, too. I can show you how to use aggression. Give me three hours, I can have you rewired.” Just three hours? I asked Ward if she could give me a weave, and joked that I’d come in for one and she could straighten me out then. She laughed. “Give me three hours. I’m gonna call you! I’m serious!”
Mary misses her friend who recently died, a retired fireman who lived at end of block. She was kind of sweet on him, but it never went anywhere. The man never told his age, and she never understood the point of that because he looked like a senior citizen. “He wasn’t going to fool anyone,” she said.
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