Activism

Oakland Students Reflect on Their Journey Voting for the First Time in Local Elections

In 2020, the measure that allowed youth voting, Measure QQ, passed with 68% of the vote but was delayed for four years at the county level while the Alameda Registrar of Voters figured out a plan to implement the right voting software that recognized teen voters. Students wanted a voice in district decisions that directly impacted them, such as school closures, which was what prompted the fight for teen voting.

Published

2 months ago

November 3, 2024

Magaly Muñoz

Oakland Youth Vote hosting a candidate forum at Fremont High School to better learn where director candidates stand on important issues. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

By Magaly Muñoz

In less than a week, Oakland students will have crossed the final step in their five-year journey to vote in local school board elections. The energy that the teens have had over the last year has been “nothing short of exciting,” many have said.

Students wanted a voice in district decisions that directly impacted them, such as school closures, which was what prompted the fight for teen voting.

Other problems that students raised concerns with involved bathroom cleanliness, lack of student resources, and public safety at their schools.

Ojugo, a student at Oakland High School, said her biggest issue was teacher retention. She explained that it’s become normal for teachers to leave partway through the school year, and students are left with a sub, forcing them to learn on their own through online classes.

“We’ve already experienced the online learning style. I think most of us can agree that is not the way to go. And I feel like it degrades your learning ability,” Ojugo said.

She said that the process has been an exciting one but also nerve-wracking. She fears that there won’t be a big turnout or that this new voting ability will somehow be swiped out from under students. Regardless, she is happy to have been a part of the journey.

Chiagozim, also an Oakland High student, said the journey has been stressful, but fun at the same time. She joined the Oakland Youth Vote group this year but has seen bits and pieces of the campaigning for teen voting for the last few years.

The most challenging part of this political process has been getting eligible students to engage with wanting to vote, she said. Freshmen and sophomores have been more inclined to want to learn about school board voting, but juniors and seniors have seemed to brush off the subject.

The new voting charter only allows 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in the school board elections, which means that current underclassmen will likely be unable to vote for a district director for another two years until 2026.

Overall, Chiagozim shared that students have been thrilled to finally have a voice and show the school board that their voice matters.

“I hope [this journey] tells them that we are educated, we know what we want, and we know what we want to do, because if we were able to persevere for the past five years and it’s been finally implemented now, that shows something from us,” Chiagozim said.

Nidya Baez, principal at Fremont High School, has been organizing for youth voting since 2019 and is impressed with the way students have carried on this fight for years, even after they graduate and move on to new things.

People don’t always agree on every issue, Baez said, but they can agree on the need for civic engagement. She added the students involved in the teen voting coalition have continued to keep an open mind about other students of different backgrounds and views.

As they reach the end of the road for this part of their fight, Baez thinks this new process will hold board directors responsible. She explained that students are not afforded the same rights as adults, and because of that, adults make decisions without them or their interests in mind.

“I think this will show that young people want to be involved and are the experts in their experience,” Baez said. “Nothing about us, without us.”

Oakland Youth Vote signage encouraging students to register to vote in the local school board director races. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Magaly Muñoz

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Magaly Muñoz’s journalism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio. She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper.

Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities.

The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

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Magaly Muñoz

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Magaly Muñoz’s journalism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio. She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper. Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities. The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

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.

Oakland Post

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Activism

‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

Oakland Post

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org