2021 - Oakland Voices

Two map proposals by Oakland Redistricting Commission with City Council and School board boundaries

Why showing up for the Oakland’s final Redistricting Commission meeting is important

December 28, 2021 Brandy Collins

Redistricting impacts Oakland resident’s political representation and access to resources.

A Black woman wearing a beanie is holding back a smile.

One Oakland Woman’s Journey From the Streets to Being an Advocate for the Unsheltered

December 23, 2021 Debora Gordon

On any given night, over half a million Americans experience homelessness. A 2019 count indicated more than 4,000 unhoused residents live in Oakland. Resheemah White, also known to friends as “RoRo,” was one of them

closeup of an indoor wooden table at a restaurant

Oakland Will Require Proof of Vaccination in Many Indoor Spaces Starting Feb. 1

December 22, 2021 Momo Chang

Yesterday, Oakland City Council members passed an ordinance that would go into effect on February 1, 2022. It would require that everyone 12 years and older (except those medically exempt) need proof of vaccination to

An Old Student Opines on Belonging and Otherness

December 17, 2021 Pamela Rudd

This opinion piece was first published at The Citizen, Laney College’s news outlet. In America, old people are seen as irrelevant–it doesn’t matter your race, religion or political party. We don’t count for much. With

cellular image of novel coronavirus with the word Oakland above

Kids COVID Vaccine Requirements

December 15, 2021 Momo Chang

When Oakland Students Need to be Vaccinated OUSD pushed back the deadline of vaccine requirements for children aged 12 and up to February (previously, it was January). (Children must be fully vaccinated with two shots

A lake with a sign in it that says "don't give up hope."

Violence in Oakland: ‘We Can Fix This’

December 8, 2021 Debora Gordon

There is a maxim in journalism, “If it bleeds, it leads,” and there have been seemingly endless stories of violence both far and near. Here in Oakland, there is a seeming daily litany of violence

What Counts: In Conversation about Public Safety

December 7, 2021 Ayodele Nzinga

When every outlet from CNN to Fox leads with Oakland’s unprecedented crime wave, it causes concern and invites fear. But what does it mean? Really. California is among the 20 most dangerous states in America.

An image of a hand in blue gloves holding a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is It Time to Change the Definition of ‘Fully Vaccinated’?

December 7, 2021 Victoria Knight

This article is republished from Kaiser Health News. As more indoor venues require proof of vaccination for entrance and with winter—as well as omicron, a new covid variant—looming, scientists and public health officials are debating

First Detected Omicron Variant Case in U.S. Arrived in S.F.

December 1, 2021 Momo Chang

The first known COVID omicron variant case has been reported in the U.S. after a traveler from South Africa arrived in San Francisco. From CNN: “The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November

Five African Americans stand and smile for camera.

Thanksgiving came early for unhoused East Oaklanders Thanks to Feed the Hood 19

November 26, 2021 Howard Dyckoff

Thanksgiving came early for unhoused East Oaklanders at more than 75 encampments with Feed the Hood 19 last weekend. More than 100 volunteers were involved with this effort as meals and personal care kits were