Part of Make Oakland Better Now!’s mission is to help Oaklanders understand what all of us are dealing with when it comes to addressing key issues like public safety, budget reform and responsible approaches to city budgeting. This includes participating in media events.
In the past month, we have had two opportunities to provide our views on main stream media. Make Oakland Better Now! board member Jim Blachman recently appeared on radio station KALW with Deputy City Administrator Scott Johnson and Bay Area News Group columnist Dan Borenstein to discuss the challenges for Oakland posed by unfunded pension and other liabilities.
And Make Oakland Better Now! board members Joe Tuman and Bruce Nye recently appeared with Bishop Bob Jackson of Acts Full Gospel Church of God In Christ on the Oakland Tribune’s web site to discuss the need for more police in Oakland.
The KALW and Oakland Tribune presentations both take some time to absorb, but they are both worth it. Please take some time, take a look, and tell us what you think.
Yes, people would do well to listen to the churches, more. And I mean sincerely listen, and not just “pose” for photos or soundbites.
Other groups that MOBN would do well to heed, would be (1) our grassroots East Oakland communities, (2) our diverse social clubs, and (3) our informal community networks. There is a perception that “the city” somehow controls every facet of life in the flats.
That is completely false.
The reality is that the city is often not trusted, and for good reasons. From where I sit, East of 105th, “city hall” is metaphorically a million miles away.
We most certainly “see” the media events, but we “feel” little else, except sometimes boots on our necks. Therefore, much of what passes for “policy” is mere sound and fury, signifing nothing more than the ambitions of those involved.
As a full-tithing member of Acts, I most certainly support sincere “listening” and sincere “heeding.” My prayer, therefore – moving forward – *is* true sincerity.
And while I most certainly do not speak for Acts, I can say that many of my fellow members would be grateful if MOBN leadership could show an additional level of support, and sincerity – by attending our church, one of these Sundays. You can sit with me, in the front row.
The interviews were interesting and informative and I appreciate your pointing them out. They suggest small but hopefully significant movement in City Hall towards actual problem-solving. Perhaps more important the discussions reflect a useful vision for Oakland as a functional, forward-moving city. One which is not dominated by violent crime and which can prosper and grow as a direct result of improved public safety..
A depressing aspect is that the interviews point out the absolute failure of our politicians to embrace and articulate a comparable vision. They not only have to get themselves, and the city as a whole, onto the “vision thing”(a phrase of George Bush Senior) but they will also have to implement it and see it through. And there is the rub.
we’re trying to get the conversation going at http://www.oaklandwiki.org as well would love to get your input on there. this might be a good page to start: http://oaklandwiki.org/Public_Safety_in_Oakland (anyone can edit!) in the meantime i’ll check out these vids and maybe find a good place to post them.