Relationships matter, regardless of your job

What I think is interesting about what's going on here in Oakland is that the reaction stems from the OPD's historically poor relationship with the citizens of Oakland. (http://www.insidebayarea.com/top-stories/ci_18947724) The OPD was threatened with federal takeover last year because it has failed to reform its behavior and practices. It shouldn't be lost on anyone that Ogawa Park is been dubbed 'Oscar Grant Park' by protesters. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BART_Police_shooting_of_Oscar_Grant) the unarmed man shot by BART police in Oakland the on NYE. Community ties and culturally competency matter in every business, public or private. If OPD had done its due diligence-- training and educating its officers about cultural differences and historical oppression, hiring for diversity of life experience, not just diversity of race and gender-- to change it's relationship with the working class in Oakland violent unrest would be no more of an issue here than in any other 'Occupied' park in the country. (Photograph by the amazing Anthony Kurtz)

Comments

OPD brutality v. Corp $ in government = mission drift

The Oakland Police Officers' Association just posted "An Open Letter to the Citizens of Oakland" http://www.opoa.org/uncategorized/an-open-letter-to-the-citizens-of-oakland-from-the-oakland-police-officers%E2%80%99-association/ regarding the general strike tomorrow and inconsistency in the Mayor's message. The letter notes the extreme cost of providing a police presence for protests and asks that the citizens of Oakland support the police in asking for the Mayor to give clear instructions that are consistent with her publicly stated positions on these issues. I support Oakland police officers and, like all employees, they deserve to have clear expectations laid out by their leadership that are in line with the values espoused by the city government. That is that only way that any employee can be truly effective. What is frustrating to me is that the motives of the Occupy movement have been convoluted by the Mayor and the actions of the OPD at the dire...

"Sorry. You're not on the list."

I think you should have to document your personal fiscal conservatism by showing how leveraged your debt is and your credit score when you come to a rally. I have a feeling many of my comrades are under water on their little glass houses.

Oakland Businesses: if you want business to improve, support the movement.

If you feel that you're employees and/or business are being adversely effected by the Occupy Oakland movement send a representative to their nightly general assembly on Broadway and 14th Street in downtown Oakland. Voice your concerns and take notes. Be part of the process and help find solutions. One suggestion is ask Occupy Oakland to publish the names of businesses who are supporting protests with signs and donations in their Twitter feed and Facebook pages. My guess is that businesses who are willing to publicly support the movement with signage in their windows and announcements on their websites will find more customers than they know what to do with. Go down to the encampment, bring donations and you will find allies, supporters, and lifelong customers. http://sanfrancisco.grubstreet.com/2011/11/camino_closed_today_in_support.html

her body politik

Search This Blog