February 2012

Team Ella Baker Center: Meet Omar
posted on FEBRUARY 17, 2012 by Molly Merson
Comments
Over the next few installments of my weekly “active-ist”-focused blog posts, I will be sharing the stories of a few of our runners, allies, and community members regarding their relationship to fitness and health. Meet Omar Malik, who is running the 5K with Team Ella Baker Center. Omar is a Psy.D.

TAGS: oakland running festival
READ MORE
My Story, My Food Legacy
posted on FEBRUARY 16, 2012 by Paul Walker
Comments
My name is Paul Walker. I’m 24 years young, I was born and raised in North and West Oakland and  finished high school in Monroe, LA.  I’m very spunky, Krazii, Kewl, love to laugh and be laughed at, articulate, and I have an abstract way of thinking. But this is my story about the start of my food legacy.

TAGS: food justice
READ MORE
Ella's Voice Seeking Ed Board Members!
posted on FEBRUARY 15, 2012 by Meredith Fenton
Comments
Are you an aspiring blogger, journalist, or activist? Do you want to be a part of the Ella Baker Center's work to build a California where every person and community can thrive? Join the Ella’s Voice Editorial Board.

TAGS: Ella Baker Center
READ MORE
Africans in America
posted on FEBRUARY 15, 2012 by Nubia Bowe
Comments
This poem was written by Heal the Streets Fellow Nubia in honor of Black History Month. They lock us up in cages
Behind bars. With no cards.
Our decks is empty
Still our struggles are hard. It's not fair that our opportunities are limited.
Yet the circumstances holding us back are limitless.

TAGS: black history month
READ MORE
Howard Thurman: Spirituality & Social Change
posted on FEBRUARY 14, 2012 by Dr. Liza Rankow
Comments
Celebrating Black History
Howard Thurman: Spirituality & Social Change   Join Dr. Liza Rankow and others Tuesday, Feb. 21st at 7PM, for a special introduction to the life and legacy of Dr. Howard Thurman. The event is free and open to the public. (See details at end of this post.)

TAGS: black history month
READ MORE
Love is...
posted on FEBRUARY 14, 2012 by Shanelle Matthews
Comments
As expected, today’s news reflects the many ways people all over the world feel about love. Reeling off of the revolutionary energy of the occupations, many folks are occupying V-Day, expressing staunch opposition to the exploitive and capitalistic chocolate-coated holiday often cloaked under the pretext of adoration and affection. A day that unapologetically boasts the privilege of heteronormativity and the tradition of monogamy – openly excluding so many.

TAGS: Valentines Day
READ MORE
Learning from “The Interrupters” of Violence in Oakland
posted on FEBRUARY 14, 2012 by Tonya Love
Comments
“The Interrupters” (@TheInterrupters) is a documentary by Steve James and Alex Kotlowitz that follows the work of an organization called CeaseFire (@CeaseFire_IL) and it’s efforts to fight violence on the streets of Chicago. CeaseFire outreach workers, many of whom have had a past history of violent crimes, connect with youth to try to prevent violence through counseli

TAGS: Interrupters
READ MORE
Saying NO to School Closures
posted on FEBRUARY 13, 2012 by Lucas Guilkey
Comments
Lakeview students organizing against the closure of their school. Credit: Mariel Waloff, Oakland North.

TAGS:
READ MORE
The Mindfulness- Health Connection
posted on FEBRUARY 12, 2012 by Molly Merson
Comments
When you talk about hope, you have to be a long-distance runner. – Dr. Cornel West

TAGS:
READ MORE
'Hypocrites' and the Freedom of Speech
posted on FEBRUARY 11, 2012 by Tia Katrina Taruc Canlas
Comments
On February 7, 2012, the Oakland City Council voted on a resolution aimed at preventing future protests from disrupting the Port of Oakland. Council members sparred with Occupy supporters in a struggle to keep them quiet when opponents and council members were speaking. I watched the video posted by Oakfosho, which unlike the videos posted on the government’s website, continuously spanned the audience.

TAGS: #oo
READ MORE