Making Sense Of My Interactions With Police
Police treat my neighborhood in West Oakland like they’re on a playground, toying with young men like kids.
Oakland
One Teen’s Perspective: Save Our Girls
“Nationally, the average age at which girls first become exploited through prostitution is 12–14 years old.”
Out of the many disheartening statistics, this one stuck out the most to me. I have two beautiful little
cousins who will turn 12 years old this year. Instead of them entering the safe and innocent pre-teen
years, they are now entering a war zone. Who will fight for them when they are too young and too small
to fight for themselves? How am I supposed to protect them from being yet another statistic? When I’m
not there to hold their hands and lead them away from a strange man who only wants to hurt them,
then what?
Forage City Reflections
As you can tell from this site, lots of young people and partners have worked together to create Forage City. Two of the young people who joined the process when we were finishing up the first design phase are Christina So and Donta Jackson. Below are their reflections on what they learned from their time as leaders on the Forage City creative team.
Zimmerman Verdict And The Aftermath
Coverage By Youth Radio: Coming Of Age In The Era Of Oscar Grant And Trayvon Martin NPR 18-year-old Myles Bess…
Trayvon & Oscar: A Parallel Tale
Watching Fruitvale Station in Oakland was more like watching a memory than watching a movie. When the film showed people…
Coming Of Age In The Era Of Oscar Grant And Trayvon Martin
I was the same age as Trayvon Martin when he was killed. It was the first shooting case that got national attention where I felt connected — like I could relate.
A “Piece” Of Mind
There were times when my main focus was to get a gun just so I could have a twisted version of peace of mind.
Growing up in West Oakland, I’ve witnessed things like people getting beat up for snitching to the authorities, and being paid to commit murders. I’ve even been there when my cousins loaded their guns before going to the grocery store.
I used to feel as if a gun was essential in my everyday life.
Grant Station: A Killing And The Aftermath
As the nation debates the verdict in the Trayvon Martin killing, young people in Oakland, California are reminded of the…
Fruitvale The Movie: Will The World Feel It Like We Do In Oakland?
OAKLAND, Calif. — The crowd let out a monstrous applause just before the private screening of Fruitvale Station began inside Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre. The majority of the audience then turned away from the screen, toward the back left corner of the room to honor Oscar Grant’s mother. I saw her acknowledge the crowd with a wave of her hand.