Join our campaign to Heal the Streets!
The Ella Baker Center works to create a culture of hope by inspiring young people to advocate for peace, and builds unity in the Bay Area around smart solutions to violence. Old approaches -- like "getting tough on crime" -- have not worked. It's time for a new approach, one based on opportunity and focused on the real reasons for violence.
PeaceInOakland.com
It's up to ALL of us to reduce violence. This website is an effort to share ideas about what each of us can do to heal the streets. Our hope is that through these ideas and actions, we'll inspire a sense of community and highlight the best of Oakland.
Last year, we launched a billboard and BART poster campaign, asking Oakland what we can all do to silence the violence. People came up with some great ideas, and but we'd like to add some more.
So tell us, how will YOU heal the streets? We know there are hundreds of people working for peace throughout the Bay Area. In the midst of the violence, we believe that the steps everyday people take now will bring peace tomorrow. Add your voice to the story, and submit your ideas!
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Steve G.: I have lived in the flatlands of east Oakland for the last 30 years. I work with my neighbors to make our area a better place to live. We help and look out for each other and often join together to organize neighborhood events, particularly for the kids. My son, Daniel "Opie" Gilbert, was murdered last year by the culture of violence that chokes inner cities across America. Since then, I have redoubled my efforts to fight its underlying causes, our under funded schools, lack of jobs and social services. I am contributing to silencing the violence by building a movement for economic justice. The hard working people of the inner cities need a fair share of our national wealth. We need to raise the minimum wage, shift the tax burden onto to the wealthy, and rebuild the inner cities.
Ida H: I live in West Oakland, in September 2007, my son Willie was murdered, he left behind a 4yr old son. Since then I have spoken out about the violence that affects so many families in our city. I have honored my son's memory by working with my neighbors and community groups to come up with solutions to the violence. I believe we need to advocate for resources to support our youth. I am an active member of Silence The Violence and am organizing a vigil to honor my son's life.
La Dasha "Diamond": I'm pictured here with my two sons Caleb and Joshua. I'm from Oakland, a mother, an artist and an activist. Through Silence The Violence I have become a member of the Block Ambassadors program and gotten involved in the Turf Unity music project. The young people in this project are dedicated to bringing about positive change in Oakland and worldwide! I make and perform music that promotes silencing the violence and unity. I want to see an Oakland where my sons have all the resources they need to create a bright future for themselves and our entire city.
