Bay Area

Oakland A’s Shortstop Marcus Semien Reflects on MLK Day

Published

6 years ago

January 23, 2020

On Nov. 2, 1983 former President Ronald Regan signed a bill making Martin Luther King Day a federal holiday effective 1986. Twenty-five years later from that date, Dr. King’s legacy lives on during a time the country is desperate for peace and freedom of speech.

King’s famous speech “I Have A Dream” was the most compelling of our lifetime. Due to his efforts as a Civil Rights leader, we as American people, understand the power of nonviolence and our right to vote. Oakland A’s shortstop, Marcus Semien reflects on this special day.

“MKL Day is important to the African American community, and for all American people,” said Semien. “He was somebody who stepped up, at a time where nobody expected an African American to do so. In our sports community, he reminds me of Jackie Robinson. In tough times, not everybody wants to do it, and he was that man for us, even today in 2020 his name will always be somebody special, especial to African American people.”

Major League baseball honors April 15th as Jackie Robinson Day. This day Robinson made his major league debut as the first African American player, who broke the sports color barrier after decades of segregation. All 30 wear the number 42 on their uniform. Hall of Famer and former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was the last player to wear #42 after he retired in 2013.

“It’s one thing to be the first African American Major League baseball player but to be an MVP and play at the level he played, speaks volumes to how much adversity he went through and how present his performance was through all of that. I can’t even imagine what he went through and to play that well under that type of discrimination is just amazing.”

The A’s have done a phenomenal job of becoming more involved in the community and honoring all cultures during the season. Various celebrations, events, special guests and good food. There’s not one person and/or fan who will attend an Oakland A’s game and feel unwelcomed.

“A great job by the by the front office,” Semien continued. “Once Dave Kaval came in, you started to see more focus in the community. When new players come to Oakland from other cities, they immediately notice how diverse it is here. It’s a strong culture, and it feels great to be part of this organization.”

Semien can’t thank his parents enough, for the sacrifices they made in allowing him to play baseball despite the cost for equipment and fees. Baseball is a sport that requires patience and focus.

“You need somebody to throw to you, you need somebody to hit you ground balls,” said Semien. “It takes a lot more than just yourself to get better and for that reason the community aspect is most important.”

Semien wants to do more than reach out to kids and tell them, ‘why don’t you try this, you have a lot of potential, pick up a bat and let’s see what you can do’. There needs to be more done in the community to show African American kids, baseball is a fun sport. While he participates in giving back through the A’s. Semien wants to focus more on giving back where he grew up.

“I want to do more. I want to organize a free camp because its expensive to play baseball and that’s going to take sacrifice for everyone involved. I want to give back to my high School [St. Mary’s College High School] and where I played baseball.”

We observe this holiday and reflect on the work that still needs to be done for racial equality. Martin Luther King never stopped spreading his message of non-violent protest against racial injustice. King’s selfless devotion and personal sacrifice changed the course of American history. His achievements and influence as an American civil rights leader will always be remembered on the third Monday of January.

The “I Have A Dream” speech impacted us all because as individuals we want to create a better path for those who come behind us just like Martin Luther King did.

Malaika Bobino

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Activism

OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Published

22 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Oakland Post

Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

1 week ago

January 2, 2026

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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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.