A View Into Oakland Politics--from the Civil Rights Movement to Occupy Oakland

 

 By Carla Thomas

In “From Blacks to Brown and Beyond - The Struggle for Progressive Politics in Oakland, 1966-2011” author and educator Dr. Stanley Oden promises to take readers on an exciting and tumultuous journey from the Civil Rights Movement to Occupy Oakland.

What began as a dissertation while obtaining his PhD in Sociology at UC Santa Cruz in 2000, is now over 300 pages with colorful photos offering a bird’s eye view of Oakland politics like never before.

While the pages are filled with interviews from the administrations of Jerry Brown, Ron Dellums and Jean Quan, Oden offers much of his own political experience.  “I worked on the Cassie Lopez campaign in 1983 and then the Jesse Jackson campaign in 1984 as a coordinator.  In 1988, I was the leader of the Oakland Berkeley Rainbow Coalition--the most organized chapter in the nation at the time,” he said.

Currently an associate professor for the Department of Government at CSU Sacramento and originally from San Diego, Oden appears to have been in the right place at the right time as a young student at UC Davis in 1967 during the height of the civil rights era. 

“I was president of the Black Student Union and when King was killed we helped organize the black movement at UC Davis and ushered in Black Studies,” he proudly stated.  “We even pursued the name of the UC Davis Law School named after Dr. King and led affirmative action in the UC Davis Medical School when the Baake decision came about.”

From 1968-1974 Oden worked in the San Diego Model cities program doing community development and was later assistant to the city manager of Berkeley for 15 years as a labor management facilitator working in community development housing.  During that time, he became involved in politics in Oakland - the genesis of writing the book.

Dr. Stanley Oden and Paul Cobb

Oden says he chose to document the power shift in Oakland from white conservative political rule to black liberal rule.  “In the 70s Lionel Wilson was elected mayor and I chronicled this in my dissertation and in my book, I traced the entire political history of Oakland during that time and focused on the city election process, downtown development, and the port of Oakland,” he said. 

 

Oden’s own life coupled with hours of archival research and interviews of over 20 key politicians and community activists, such as, then and now Governor Jerry Brown, publisher Paul Cobb, and Black Panther leader David Hilliard make the book a page turner.  “You hear a lot about progressive politics and don’t understand what it looks like on the ground in urban areas and urban politics and my book exposes this within the African American, liberal and the business communities to show how these dynamics work,” said Oden. 

 

To Oden, Oakland is a unique city with a fascinating history contrary to what much of the media presents.  Readers will learn how the political economy of Oakland and the election process led to other city issues and outcomes.

“Oakland is an important city, not a crime ridden place, but a city that has dynamic politics in history and even now,” expressed Oden.  “I was in New York on October 25 and Occupy Oakland was big news on the east coast”  Oden says Oakland has and always will be at the core of political events.

“I want Oakland to be seen as a very important epicenter of Urban Politics and Oakland has always been in the forefront, like the Black Panthers and the work of Paul Cobb over the years is something people need to hear about.  Others have written about it but most haven’t worked or lived in Oakland like I did.” 

Oden’s book is due out in the spring by Cognella Publishers of San Diego.  For more information:  email: 

rso@csus.edu

Oakland Mayor Quan Addresses the Looming Recall

 By Gregory K. Taylor




I am currently taking a Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah Holiday break.  I am trying to keep happy thoughts (as challenging as that may be) in my mind.  However, I feel obligated to reprint Mayor Jean Quan's response regarding the efforts underway to recall her from office.  There seems to be a genuine concern as to the efficacy of this recall.  


For someone in office for less than one year, why is she in so much trouble?  How did a new Mayor draw the ire of so many people in so little time.  For sure, there are old scores being settled here from past adversaries, but the opportunity was provided by the Mayor's uncanny ability to anger, confuse, and dismiss those now trying to unseat her.   I don't know what to make of her plea to stop this recall process.  It's akin to Obama asking the Iranians to return the recently downed Drone--it ain't gonna happen.  Other than obvious desperation, it begs the question as to what is really going on here. 


People want to see a confident, consistent, and determined person at the helm.  Waffling decisions and micro-managing in areas one has no expertise--just alienates people.   Then again sometimes one's affect just has a way of ticking people off.  If that is the case, introspection and adjustment are in order.  Ultimately, the best way to beat a recall is to change while there's still time!

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan

STATEMENT OF MAYOR JEAN QUAN CONCERNING RECALL EFFORTS
 
These have been very tough times with many different challenges—the recession, the encampments—yet Oakland is on the move and we are making progress together.  I became Mayor less than a year ago.  In that time I have pulled together a strong executive team, balanced the budget with a full reserve for the first time in nearly a decade, and held town hall meetings with over 3000 Oakland residents.

The last thing we need is a divisive and expensive recall election.

In 20 years of serving Oakland, my only agenda has been to work hard for our diverse city. I consider it a sacred trust.

Oaklanders know me as a woman of action, fighting hard and delivering results.

I am focused on working for Oakland—the 100-block initiative to reduce crime in Oakland, creating jobs and encouraging investment in Oakland’s business, and supporting our youth and our schools.

I had a great meeting with the Oakland Metro Chamber and other business leaders  today, I’m focused on bringing in business. I also met with several community organizations. My energies are focused on jobs, public safety  and education to move the city forward—doing my job as Mayor.

His Song (Harry Belafonte)

                                                   

By Gregory K. Taylor

Harry Belafonte came to town last night, sponsored by KPFA Radio of Berkeley, California, to present his memoir “My Song.”  It is a rare opportunity to witness a recitation of historical events through the words of a celebrated vocalist, actor, civil-rights activist, and writer.

Harry Belafonte, Joan's mother, and Joan Baez

With the possible exception of a cane to steady his progress as he walked onto the stage, Mr. Belafonte’s youthful visage and mental acuity belied his 84 yrs.  His regal and social pedigree was on his sleeve for all to see.  He weaved a chronological tapestry of footnotes outlining his days of obscurity to his days for social justice.

Mr. Belafonte credited his early successes breaking into the entertainment business with advice given him by mentor, actor, singer, and trailblazer Paul Robeson.  “Get the world to sing your song and they will want to know who you are,” he was told.  Through this art form of song in propagating a more salient message for social justice, Harry Belafonte has gotten the world to sing his song.

Joan Baez

Harry Belafonte

In a lighter moment, Harry broke into a melodic rendition of his famous 1957 “Day-O, or the Banana Boat Song,” while the capacity audience added their accompaniment.  His voice was still true and pleasant to the ear.

Luminaries providing introductory tribute were Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Folk Singer Joan Baez, Dr Mona Scott, and a sonnet read by Al Young.