When some one says, “Social Change,” a polling station is definitely not the first image that comes to my mind. Instead, I think of bullhorns filing the air as thousands of protesters flood the streets demanding justice. Marching on tired feet and yelling at the top of my lungs remains a critical and important strategy to change exploitative policies and social ills. But at the same time, I’m tired of solely REACTING to problems!
I have come to realize through my work on the Soul of the City campaign that transformative change in Oakland requires 
creative strategies and solutions. We can’t just continue to shout our discontent at every turn and expect things to change. Instead, we must work together to build collective power that holds our representatives accountable. Our government’s primary responsibility should be to serve every one in the community but that role becomes skewed when only particular groups of people control the electorate.
In Oakland, there is a large civic engagement divide along lines of race and class. Currently, Oakland is comprised of 66% people of color, yet during local elections 55% of the electorate are NOT from low-income communities or communities of color. (1) In turn, power, influence, and resources are largely concentrated in predominately white wealthy spaces such as the Oakland hills while areas with predominately low-income, people of color such as East and West Oakland are literally and figuratively peripheral.
Sandra Cisneros , one of my favorite literary writers once wrote, “People who live on hills sleep so close to the stars they often forget those of us who live too much on earth. They don’t look down at all except to be content to live on hills.” (2) Without civically engaging historically marginalized voters in Oakland the “people who live on hills,” will continually dominate our political landscape and make pivotal decisions for the entire community.
If we are truly committed to transforming Oakland into a safe and socially just city for EVERYONE, from the hills to the lowlands, it is imperative that ALL residents are included in the civic engagement process. While voting and door knocking hasn’t traditionally been as sexy as attending a protest, they are essential to creating a strong power base of change that can open new pathways of opportunity. Please Take A Stand for Oakland and Pledge to be Civically Engaged this election season. It is only by doing the footwork that we can find collective strength to change our city! Lets get empowered and make civic engagement the new sexy!
[1] Alameda County Registrar of Voters, www.acgov.org.
[2] Sandra Cisneros, The House On Mango Street (Vintage Contemporaries, 1991), 86.
2 Comments
Im sexy!! Go oakland!
“I have come to realize through my work on the Soul of the City campaign that transformative change in Oakland requires creative strategies and solutions.”
“The more the plans fail, the more the planners plan,” Ronald Wilson Reagan
Oakland is failing, despite an ideal location, proximity to good jobs, one of the world’s best natural harbors, world-class higher education facilities, unbeatable weather…
It is failing to educate its children, keep peace in the street, or build an economy that contributes to the region.
Why? Oakland is, politically, one of the most left-leaning cities in the United States.
It’s no coincidence.
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