east oakland Archives - Page 31 of 32

A Message to Oakland: Love’s in Need of Love Today

December 19, 2012 Katherine Brown

Is there any love left in The Town? If we look at the homicide rate of 2012 alone, one might say that love is impossible, if not non-existent. But I beg to differ. I see the love here.

East Oakland Poet ‘Bossman’ Puts in Work to Heal, Teach

December 18, 2012 Katrina Davis

Growing up in East Oakland, Dre Johnson, “the violence and crimes that go on, you don’t talk about. You’re just not supposed to name names, you’re not supposed to say shit out loud.” He says his spoken word allowed him to express his feelings about “how the shit went down.” Poetry became one of the few ways he saw to address some hard experiences.

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!

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.

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

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

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.

GUNS Part I: When in Rome… Stay Strapped!

October 16, 2012 Debora Gordon

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 his say.

GUNS Part II: For My Students & City, The Case for a Life Unarmed

October 16, 2012 Debora Gordon

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.