Oakland Education Association (OEA) and their supporters’ communication tactic of choice, repetitive loudness, met its match at the February 25th Oakland School Board meeting, when pre-kindergarteners paraded hand-in-hand while John Lennon song’s, “All the People,” played. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbcHAV3ah5g&feature=youtu.be
Smiles filled the room and civility reigned-in disgruntled discourse for most of the six-hour meeting. Mothers and fathers took pictures of their babies and spectators graced each other with respect, too often absent because of OEA members and supporters noisily expressing dissatisfaction with their contract.
The children’s grace was infectious that night. Decibels quieted and calm emerged. From this sea of tranquility rose early childhood educators and parents. They spoke with pride and each gave one-minute speeches in support for Superintendent Antwan Wilson’s proposed Early Childhood Education Program. All board members’ faces reflected agreement with their presentation.
After parents had their say, they bundled up their babies and disappeared into the night. Slowly peace faded into noise and the meeting continued with typical pretense, no disrespect intended. That is just business as usual for the Oakland United School District; however for a brief moment in time, pre-kindergarteners, our future, showed us another way—hand-in-hand.
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.
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