My 3 siblings and I often become fictional or rearranged members of Momma’s imagination. Momma once told my youngest brother that he was “found by grandpa at the poker game.” I loved it when she […]
Last week, Momma and I visited Cousin Bernadette, who is in a nursing home suffering from ailments associated with dementia. It was a pleasure to see her, even though Momma really didn’t quite comprehend the […]
By Jo Ann Bell Hurricane Katrina left Louisiana and Mississippi with memories of utter destruction. It’s been a month since those and other Gulf states marked the fifth year anniversary of the storm, and the […]
By Tyrese Johnson OAKLAND, CA – Many would argue that music is essential to a full life. It makes us laugh, cry and think. It is this idea that musicians at the Oakland Green Youth […]
By Peace Harmony OAKLAND, CA – A new habitat for female artists was born last November. Valerie Troutt started The Shepeople’s, a collective of female vocalists, musicians, poets, dancers, filmmakers, visual artists, craft makers, foodies and […]
By Ida Hancox OAKLAND, CA – For most of Shawn Vasquez’s life, he’s been in trouble with the law. He started ditching school to sell drugs before he was a teenager. He hit the ninth […]
It is one of the most painful, difficult, and quintessentially American words in our language. It’s been used to dehumanize, to hurt feelings, to show love, and to sell records. When popular talk radio host […]
By Jo Ann Bell OAKLAND, CA – A warm and secure feeling of community thrives in the neighborhoods along Adeline Street. Reflecting on the West Oakland stretch of Adeline during the 1940’s and 50’s brings […]
By Tyrese Johnson and Adimu Madyun OAKLAND, CA – Break, glide, pop, lock, backspin, suicide. These moves and more were on display last Friday at the All Styles Dance Battle in Jack London Square. The […]
By Jo Ann Bell OAKLAND, CA – The West Oakland Senior Center is not an especially big place. But the two-story building, located at a quiet intersection right across from deFremery Park, is a strong […]
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