Activism

Restore Our City’s Service (R.O.C.S) Can Stabilize Our Community

There is no reason whatsoever that our cities should be lacking so much when the system is supposed to help, not hinder progress. R.O.C.S is necessary because maintenance and solutions come from action, not words. And, with a plan of action that pushes a sustained commitment for improvement, we can make a difference.

Published

3 years ago

July 3, 2021

Isabelle Price

R.O.C.S Workers Courtesy Richard Johnson

R.O.C.S, which stands for a concept to “Restore Our City’s Service,” is derived from a position of need because somewhere along the path the ball was dropped when it came to serving the needs of the people who are struggling to survive.

I have initiated R.O.C.S as a way to help create a path of light and hope for those whose backs are literally up against the wall, with actions that lead to solutions rather than to despair or violence.

As one moves around our communities, it will become evident from observing those living on the streets in encampments that services for much needed assistance have been severely compromised to the point of being nonexistent.

We shouldn’t have to walk by the depressing conditions of homelessness, the need for mental health assistance, vocational training needs, nagging hunger and health maintenance concerns for the disenfranchised.

Regrettably this is the reality that faces far too many cities, especially Oakland. Some people have lost hope, but more importantly, some have lost faith in the powers that be to make the needed changes.

It is a horrible sight to see how our streets are littered with garbage and filth. These conditions, along with the nasty effects of living in close proximity to vermin-infested enclaves, present a dangerous health issue for those living in street encampments.

Quite naturally R.O.C.S won’t be able to address every single problem. However, what R.O.C.S can do is open the repair gates to a much better living society. Our cities have existing services, but what is plainly obvious is those services have failed and continue to fall short of their intended objective for whatever reasons.

The goal of R.O.C.S goal is to serve those in need by working in collaboration with other organizations to restore whatever is needed to improve our cities in responsible ways. By working together we can improve our schools, hospitals, city streets and make many other needed repairs for cities to function properly.

Talk is nothing without production and a plan that connect the neglected while advancing the overall agenda to make our spaces much better livable places.

Let’s not confuse agenda with progress. Progress is made when the needs of people are met and when the restorations are achieved.

After serving many years in prison where I started writing columns for the Post, I prayed often and pledged to devote the rest of my writings and my work life to restoring justice and services to those in need.

I now pray that R.O.C can be the rock that stabilizes our community in a profound way.

Isabelle Price

Posts by Isabelle Price

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

5 days ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PostNewsGroup
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

Oakland Post

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 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

Stop-the-Hate Message Shared with Tens of Thousands at Calif’s Largest Black-Themed Street Festival

Hundreds of thousands gathered at the 19th annual Taste of Soul Festival in Crenshaw — an event dubbed “California’s largest block party” — on Oct. 19. At the event, California Black Media (CBM) partnered with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) to spread the word about the California Vs. Hate, a statewide hate crime online resource and telephone hotline, launched in 2023.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Office of the Civil Rights Staff and CBM Representative. Courtesy Photo.

By Tanu Henry, California Black Media

Hundreds of thousands gathered at the 19^th annual Taste of Soul Festival in Crenshaw — an event dubbed “California’s largest block party” — on Oct. 19.

At the event, California Black Media (CBM) partnered with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) to spread the word about the California Vs. Hate, a statewide hate crime online resource and telephone hotline, launched in 2023.

“Held in the heart of south Los Angeles on Crenshaw Blvd, over half a million people attend the one-day event that brings out the best our community has to offer,” said Brandon Brooks, Stop the Hate project director at California Black Media.

“The festival promotes local businesses as well as it brings out local and statewide resources to assist community members, Brooks continued. “The day has proven to be a great opportunity to speak to people directly and provide information to combat hate crimes and incidents.”

During the event, Brooks said he, James Williams, Community Based Organization Manger for California Vs. Hate and Leah Brown-Goodloe from CBM informed and shared literature with tens of thousands of festivalgoers about the state’s Stop the Hate resources.

CBM’s Stop the Hate outreach was held at the beginning of United Against Hate Week (UAHW), a commemoration held annually across the country to recognize the fight against all forms of hate.

UAHW was first launched in 2018 by elected leaders, staff, and community groups from 13 cities in the Bay Area who organized a “United Against Hate” poster campaign responding to White supremacists marching in Northern California streets in the aftermath of Charlottesville riots.

In 2018, Los Angeles County, LAvsHate, a campaign that provided anti-hate crime information and resources to report hate incidents and hate crimes.

According to CRD director Kevin Kish, the L.A. initiative provided a model for the state’s program.

Today, UAHW has grown into a national movement with events organized across the country to mark the day.

In June, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the 2023 Hate Crime in California Report. According to the report, hate crimes in California decreased by 7.1% from 2,120 in 2022 to 1,970 in 2023.

However, incidents and crimes against Black Californians remained higher than average with 518 reported cases in 2023.

When it comes to reported hate crimes, we know that Black Californians are the most targeted group for hate and discrimination in our state,” said Williams. “The California Civil Rights Department wants people to know that we are committed to reaching the Black community through outreach events and campaigns, including our first-ever billboard campaign, forging new partnerships, or increasing awareness about the hotline and available resources to historically hard-to-reach and underserved Californians.”

Williams said he wants to remind all Californians that there is “support when you report!”

“No matter your background or where you come from, if you’ve been targeted for hate, you can get help accessing legal, financial, mental health, and other services by calling 833-8-NO-HATE or by going to CAvsHate.org,” Williams added.

How To Report A Hate Crime:

CA vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal. Reports can be made anonymously by calling (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT or online at any time.

For more information on CA vs Hate, please visit CAvsHate.org.