Community

Op-Ed: Love and Life in Oakland

Published

9 years ago

April 1, 2016

Oakland Post

Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney

By Lynette Gibson McElhaney

On Tuesday April 5th, the Oakland City Council will consider the proposal from my office to adopt “Love Life” as the official motto for the City of Oakland and to incorporate the motto in official communication for the city and on the City’s welcome signage.

On October 20, 2015, members of the public including Donald Lacy, Dwain Butler and numerous members of the Love Life foundation appeared by the City Council during Open Forum. Mr. Butler and others had come before the council repeatedly over the past 5 years asking the Council to consider adopting “The Love Life City” as Oakland’s official motto. The basis of the request is a desire by these families and others to send a strong message to Oakland’s youth that their lives matter, that life is precious and to elevate love over fear and greed.

In 1997, 16-year-old LoEshé Adanma Lacy, whose first name means ‘love life’ in Ibo, was tragically shot to death as a bystander across the street from her school, McClymonds High. Prior to becoming a victim, LoEshé was moved by the death of too many of her classmates and had begun an anti-violence campaign to tell her peers that they should love life. She laid the framework for the Love Life foundation and inspired efforts to provide comfort and support to families who have lost a loved one to homicide.

Love Life honors the lives of the thousands of members of our community who have been killed by senseless violence – especially our youth, and articulates our aspirations for the future. Love Life reflects the joy and energy that characterize our artists and businesses. Love Life responds to our communal desire to build an inclusive, equitable, and authentic Oakland.

Businesses, corporations, non-profits and movements throughout the world know and understand the power of a motto. Mottos inspire and unite. They quickly provide a reference in order to galvanize people to act. In 2004, Kaiser launched its’ “Thrive” campaign, which has been so successful that it continues today and has influenced other local messaging efforts, including the Oakland Unified School District’s strategic plan which sets out its aspiration as a place “where every student thrives.” This is the power of a message.

The cost of adding the “Love Life” message to the City’s welcome signage is nominal compared to the powerful lift that the City will gain from codifying its care for every resident by adopting the “Love Life” motto. The spin-off impact will be great as schools and businesses develop supporting messages that celebrate Oakland as a city of love, art and culture.

I urge you to join me on April 5th in supporting the community’s desire to create Love Life as our motto. It is far more representative of the love Oaklanders hold for their city and our youth than the current unofficial tagline “the bright side of the Bay.” In adopting this Ordinance, the Council will send a clear message that honors residents who have lost their lives to gun violence and speak hope and healing to the communities of residents who are dedicated to living robust lives.

Now is the time to act. For more than 10 years, the community has asked for this motto. There is now immense public support, and I believe that the current crescendo of this movement reflects a desire of our long-tenured residents who continue to believe in Oakland.

I urge you to join me in supporting this beautiful community initiative to proclaim to the world what Oakland is all about: Love and Life.

Lynette Gibson McElhaney is president of the Oakland City Council.

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post: Week of January 8 – 14, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of January 8 – 14, 2025

Published

4 days ago

January 11, 2025

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Supreme Court Decision Confirms Convicted Felon Will Assume Presidency

NNPA NEWSWIRE — In a 5-4 ruling, the court stated that Trump’s concerns could “be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal” and emphasized that the burden of sentencing was “relatively insubstantial” given that Trump will not face prison time. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in the majority, with four conservative justices dissenting.

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s emergency request to block criminal proceedings in his New York hush money case, ensuring that a sentencing hearing will proceed as scheduled on Friday. The decision makes it official that, on January 20, for the first time in its history, the United States will inaugurate a convicted felon as its president.

In a 5-4 ruling, the court stated that Trump’s concerns could “be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal” and emphasized that the burden of sentencing was “relatively insubstantial” given that Trump will not face prison time. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in the majority, with four conservative justices dissenting.

Trump was convicted in May for falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in a state criminal case, particularly before all appeals in state courts were exhausted.

Trump’s legal team claimed the sentencing process would interfere with his transition to power and argued that evidence introduced during the trial included official actions protected under the Supreme Court’s prior ruling granting former presidents immunity for official conduct. Merchan, the New York judge who presided over the trial, ruled in December that the evidence presented was unrelated to Trump’s duties as president.

Prosecutors dismissed Trump’s objections, stating that the sentencing would take less than an hour and could be attended virtually. They said the public interest in proceeding to sentencing outweighed the President-elect’s claims of undue burden.

Justice Samuel Alito, one of the four dissenting justices, confirmed speaking to Trump by phone on Wednesday. Alito insisted the conversation did not involve the case, though the call drew criticism given his previous refusals to recuse himself from politically sensitive matters.

The sentencing hearing is set for Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Manhattan. As the nation moves closer to an unprecedented inauguration, questions about the implications of a convicted felon assuming the presidency remain.

“No one is above the law,” Bragg said.

Stacy M. Brown

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Activism

Barbara Lee Launches Campaign for Mayor of Oakland

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united,” she Lee. “If elected I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city, so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

Published

7 days ago

January 8, 2025

Oakland Post

By Post Staff

Barbara Lee on Wednesday morning formally announced her candidacy for Mayor in Oakland’s April 15 special election.

“Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” said Lee.

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided but a community united,” she said. “If elected, I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas, and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

“As Mayor, I’ll address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core City services residents and business owners deserve. Let’s do this – together.”

“I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” said Lee. “I’m always ready to fight for Oakland.”

Watch her campaign video here, which is online at BarbaraLee4Oakland.com