(I’ve been reflecting on the state of Oakland recently and its relationship to other cities, and I suddenly realized that we’re at the heart and forefront of most things going on. Lot of the topics I’ve picked up on through basic observation, engagement, and genuine love. I’ve had an urge to write about something for awhile and decided it would be best to write about something I’m deeply vested & rooted in.)

 

I don’t know if you noticed, but all eyes are on Oakland right now and in more ways than one. Let’s start with some basic National Geographic facts in case you live under a rock. Oakland is in one of the most beautifullest (yes, beautifullest…word to Keith Murray) locations in the world with the most moderate and tolerant climates. It is surrounded by natural marvels as well as manmade ones. It has one of the most diverse demographics for cities with a population over 350,000 (28% black; 26% white; 25% Latino; 17% Asian; 4% everything else…which means we have the dopest food options!!!). It is one of the premiere model cities in America and probably the world due to the simultaneous & rapidly fluctuating dynamics that seem to occur here more frequently than any other area. It is the epicenter of several revered schools of thought (UC Berkeley, Stanford, and San Francisco State)

Presently transitioning into the service era (from the now defunct manufacturing industry) and being associated with the highly dependent, world revolving Silicon Valley, it possesses unique indicators that provide insight and predictability for other cities in the country that are trying to figure shit out. Oakland presents a hypothesis and a working equation that urbanized centers across the country strive to understand in order to adapt and overcome the rapidly changing demands of American society. The degree of civic engagement is paramount to other cities (except Washington DC that has unfairly & implicitly declared itself the civic engagement headquarters of the world).

Enough of all of these greased up awesome facts though, time to focus on the current state of Oakland and why the world is seriously fucking with us.

In focus of present day events, Oakland is on the forefront of many issues and situations. Here is a list of a few of those issues:

– Real Estate (Oakland is the home of the fastest selling real estate market in the US since 2012. Homes stay on the market at an average of 14 days as of March 2013…however, 20% of homebuyers are real estate investors that essentially rent the homes out. Foreclosures are still fucked up though.)

 – Professional Protest Movement (since 2009 I count (without really counting) at least 10 major protests/strikes between the copious amounts of Occupy Oakland, BART Union/Oscar Grant, Labor/SEIU union, and myriad of other social/civil justice events, Oakland has been on the front page of news publications nationwide and the subject of national debate on several occasions) … you down with PPM?!?!?

– Crime (Fortunately Oakland isn’t leading in homicides this year, but we do have the disservice of owning the highest burglary/robbery rate per capita in the country, partially thanks to Oakland Police Department making a widely publicized notice to the residents that they will not be responding immediately to non-violent incidents like things surprisingly like robberies and burglaries)

 – Oakland Police Department (with all the federal investigations to OPD conduct, their being understaffed, judicial & federal oversight, and talks of a federal takeover, the Oakland Police Department has been publicly criticized & scrutinized by many for how they conduct themselves and their understaffed force. There have been several studies on how they handle PPM and racial discrimination. It’s been an issue all over the country for some decades now, but OPD just knows how to stay in the public light)

– Oakland Athletics, Warriors, Raiders (There have been several talks of Oakland professional sports teams moving out of Oakland. Their moves would have serious economic implications to the city of Oakland. Many cities with professional sports teams and dilapidated stadiums/arenas are mostly considering moving to suburbs for tax advantages and more land to play with, so many of them are observing how Oakland teams pan out. Additionally, there have been several global investors seeks to make private investments to secure teams in Oakland in hopes of capturing an under-tapped/served economic market. There is a Dubai investor teaming up with an LA real estate investment firm to create a Sports & Entertainment Complex called “Coliseum City” in the heart of East Oakland if the city grants them rights to the land. There are also Chinese investors looking to make private investments in building a baseball stadium in Jack London – similar to AT&T Park in the SF – with a land grant from the Port Of Oakland)

– Gentrification (this means many things and has conflux of pro’s & con’s that make it a little bit different than other cities experiences with gentrification. The faces of most “beloved” neighborhoods are changing, culture & blight. There are families that were financially uprooted by force or compensation. That’s a pro or con depending on which side of the table you are on. Oakland has always had a pretty active cultural approach to all its residents, but now it is shifting to something more liberalishly hipster & “cool”, with the uprising of the foodie and bar scene that I seriously fuck with and appreciate. However, there are still some cultural misunderstandings that create a friction among lifelong citizens and the new ones. However, in relationship to other cities in the country experiencing gentrification, the effects have been mild and more so beneficial based on my mere observation. There are a lot of cool hipster events but they are mostly inclusive to the hipster crowd. I LOVE BIKING!!!!)

This is my very vague observation of the state of Oakland and its implications to society. There are some things I am extremely proud of as well as things that need serious attention. Our peers, our leaders, our government, our businesses, our people are examining how we function (because we’re all just out here trying to function!!!). Everyone knows the best ideas and trends come from the Bay, but most importantly Oakland. So let’s make sure we keep everything in perspective and keep moving and shaking shit up.

*Spartan voice* THIS IS OAKLAND!!!!!!!! *chest kick*