First,
Can we draft a proposal to apologize to Occupy The Hood for interrupting their VERY important meeting under the guise of Occupy Oakland? We should at least make it clear that group of undoubtedly spoiled interrupters does NOT represent all of OO…This was a travesty. OTH is working tirelessly to engage truly marginalized communities in this debate. So, we should consider at least apologizing, but maybe even drafting a formal letter of solidarity, and a way to include their caucus even more at our GA…
Second,
Funny no has mentioned OSA is a charter, and part of a charter movement that seeks to privatize education and exacerbate educational inequality by ”skimming” the best and brightest from low-performing schools. Where is all the concern for the schools I work in in East Oakland! They are in deplorable condition, Horace Mann Elementary doesn’t even have funds for an Assistant Principal…and while OSA does a reasonable job with diversity, they still have scores of wealthier students, students I never see where I work…if y’all care so much about the children, go volunteer at OUR PUBLIC schools, which are in totally disarray and have lockdowns the second day of school. (true story) So if some charter kids have to deal with only a fraction of what my students deal with, I won’t be too weepy…(not that we shoudn’t make every effort to make these camps safe ANYWHERE let alone next to children) besides these camps are still infinitely safer than west/east Oakland at night…hell I feel safer there than living in my Northgate District home..give me a break..
That being said, I still object to the new location simply because the backlash will be too great and we NEED a permanent camp and the new locale is NOT it…A permanent camp could begin to offer the services I see most of us calling for, and give us a central presence. Let’s stop being divided over this new problem of location, and begin to be united over finding a solution.
Peace & Revolutionary Love,
Matt
Response to Occupy the Hood/ New Location thoughts
I have concerns with OO showing Solidarity with any group that has yet to show a history of actions that are in alliance with the OO Movement intentions and stance.
With NEITHER LEADERS NOR DEMANDS.
I am also very concerned that small fractions that name itself Occupy (insert word) can and will in some people’s eyes potentially label the overall OO as a whole either by OO condoning it by not speaking out against it, nor wholeheartedly denouncing that group and its actions.
Another example was OO not coming out against the supposed violence and destruction of private and public property after the General Strike also by vocally supporting those types of actions.
As far us how I feel about TAKING the space @ 19th & Telegraph. That comes with more problems than Benefits.
It’s sad that those that want another Tent city are only focusing on that and not a higher standard of living for themselves and it saddens me that those that support another tent city but would not personally pitch a tent and reside there are allowing that as a acceptable way to live for others but not themselves.
I feel that those that want to start the space @ 19th and Telegraph can still accomplish that without the name of Occupy Oakland.
Oh yeah…I really have to wonder if the Blatant Obvious Racism from all sides of the table that is so prevalent in our communities will be our downfall.