2020
Yearly Archives: 2020
Treasure Island: The island gentrification almost forgot
San Francisco got all their ducks in a row for the great gentrification when the Navy vacated the Treasure Island base. While I live in the most expensive city in the US, well probably the most expensive in the world, I live on next to nothing on Treasure Island.
Voting against, not for, a candidate
Voting is critical in this November 3, 2020 election, whether it’s a vote for or against a candidate or issue. “Tens of millions of registered voters did not cast a ballot in the 2016 presidential election, and the share who cited a ‘dislike of the candidates or campaign issues’ as their main reason for not participating reached a new high of 25 percent,” according to a Pew Research Center analysis of new Census Bureau data.
Finally! Baba Jalil will be freed!
We await release of imprisoned political leader Baba Jalil Muntaqim, hold honor for new ancestors, explore the road to reparations, bestow condemnations and congratulations on those who have earned such, reminder to Register and Vote, and wish for everyone safety and healing in the midst of capitalistic health rationing.
Marxists, Smarxists: Black Lives Still Matter
Black Lives Matter no matter how you embrace or argue it – we are in the reckoning and there is no going back. Trying to figure it out from the head will get you wherever it gets you. Go to the heart and you will be there.
Gov. Newsom: support AB 2542!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On3glHc8ZBw&feature=youtu.be
Interview with Eskender Aseged, owner of Bayview’s Radio Africa & Kitchen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol8nMnanN-Y
California becomes the first state in the nation to end collection of fees in...
California scores another first in the country with Governor Newsom’s passage of The Families Over Fees Act by signing Assembly Bill 1869, widely applauded by advocates including Treasurer José Cisneros and Public Defender Mano Raju. AB 1869 eliminates the “high pain, low gain” fees of oppression on people who have paid their debt to society.
An interview with Gwendolyn Westbrook of Mother Brown’s Dining Room
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XntpNMFTC0o
Conversation and celebration: Honoring Willie Ratcliff’s 88th birthday and Malik Washington’s freedom!
https://youtu.be/eNay-9Xo88Y
Students, friends and family honor Derrick Gaines on his birthday
When 15-year-old Derrick Gaines was executed by killer cop Joshua Cabillo of SSFPD, the students of South San Francisco High School celebrating Derrick’s 24th birthday now would have been only eight or nine years old. The youths honoring of their murdered friend counters sharply to the SFPD hiring of killer cop Joshua Cabillo.
We’ve done it: 850 Bryant St. jail shutters its doors
People Power works. SF Sentencing Commission’s Safety and Justice Challenge Subcommittee, with city leaders, including representatives of the SF District Attorney and the SF Public Defender, released the first draft of the subcommittee’s final report on the successful completion of the operational plan to close County Jail 4.
Childcare and economic stability go hand in hand
Acknowledging the relationship between childcare and the economy is imperative. Yet, while childcare programs remain on the brink of collapse, reopening communities moves forward. Childcare is a critical piece of community infrastructure, interrelated with workforce, housing and health, and without solid, supported childcare systems in place, our economy cannot properly function.
YES on Prop 16: ‘All I ask of our brethren is that they will...
In 1996 Eva Patterson, then executive director of Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, and Fred Jordan, President of the African American Chamber of Commerce, with Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Diane Feinstein, opposed Prop 209. Today they are fervently supporting Prop 16 on the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot to repeal the 1996 Prop 209 with an amendment to the California Constitution.
How the pigs abuse ‘gang’ labels
Socially and politically charged labels have long been used – or misused – by officials as a cover for abusing and discriminating against Black and Brown people and suppressing political views that challenge or question the status quo. This tactic is deeply imbedded in the prisons caging our community members resulting in intentionally perpetrated pain and suffering.
Black Votes Matter!
SF Bay View Editor, Mary Ratcliff, guides new Assistant and Managing Editors, Malik Washington and Nube Brown, and they have hit the ground running. Malik and Nube highlight the power and urgency of our vote, our Black vote, and their combined commitment to activate uplift, voice and change for people harmed by oppression.
Writing While Black for October 2020: Promising new African Diaspora anthologies and a plethora...
Sunday, Oct. 4, the Bay Area Book Festival presents Berkeley #UNBOUND, an all-day, free, virtual mini-festival, kicked off with a ticketed keynote program on Saturday night, Oct. 3. Writing While Black for this October 2020 guarantees a superb abundance of boredom relief during the continuing COVID-19 reality.
Transit justice is racial justice
Cutting public transportation is a racial unjust act against particularly Black and Brown and low income communities. Working people, students, people with disabilities and elderly folks depend on the public bus system as part of their daily lives and would be further disenfranchised without it.
Uncaged: Radio show host, author and mentor Joey Villarreal out on bail
Joey Villarreal survived the SHU, Pelican Bay’s “torture cell”, finally came home to his community and has been building a life which nurtures his talents and inspires his community. Unjustly arrested and incarcerated again, his community rallied, raised exorbitant bail and succeeded in bringing their beloved son, father, brother, grandfather and friend home, again.
Bay View Voter Guide for November 2020
This election has led to a crossroads and COVID-19 has highlighted that our choices can lead to suffering or liberation. By reflecting on the journeys of some of those who have gone before like Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin and Coretta King, Elijah and Clara Muhammad and recently, Colin Kaepernick, we can take our own journey and vote because it matters.
Brenda Kittrell (1955-2020): Advocate for public housing community, #BlackLivesMatter and scrutinizing property ownership in...
As gentrification continues to gobble up the streets of San Francisco, Brenda Kittrell (1955-2020) is remembered as a well loved and respected member of the Potrero Hill community. She advocated tirelessly for public housing, safety and community on local state and national levels and supported the possibility of home ownership for low-income African Americans living in San Francisco.