What is the most important symbol of Oakland? What do you want people to think about when they think Oakland? Delete Topic|Reply

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Susan Mernit's picture

Susan Mernit Mon, 18 Jan at 6:22pm

I was meeting with an intern today, and she said, "I get so tired of people thinking Oakland is all crime & sideshows! When friends come to visit me I take them downtown on a Friday night so we can walk around Uptown and go from bar to bar. I am SO PROUD we have this area where young people can gather--I want everyone to know about Uptown!

What is it you want people to know about Oakland?

Valentin de la Rosa's picture

Valentin de la Rosa Tue, 26 Jan at 03:09

I feel the same way and it upsets me that a stigma still exists about Oakland. Locals know the deal but outsiders are always negative or repeat falsaties about the city. I have lived in many of Oaklands neighborhoods and it has it's fair share of shortcomings but that's what makes Oakland a city I could never leave and SF a place I barely go. What is it you say from my long-winded answer to the question? DIVERSITY--I want people to know this is the most diverse city in the union next to New York. To me there is no dominating culture here. I have met so many different people here and I'm completely in love. I shoot down negative connotations with a ferver. I take a personal offense to it because this is where I want to raise children. The sad truth is, there is a lot of racism behind it and some people may not agree but I don't live in a fantasy world. I accept the truth and try to change it by living up to my expectations of this great city good or bad. I have met many great friends of over 15 yrs I met here. I even wrote a poem about it:

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Ode to Oakland

Oakland O' Oakland

The city I love,

Where the Sun sets on the Ocean

and the birds fly up above.

 

Hills to the east,

and thrills to the west.

Valleys to the south,

and rallies to the north.

 

Beats are slappin' on the lakeside drive,

youths are yappin at the local dive.

Waterfront markets offer thier working hands

while people of all colors enjoy local bands.

 

Oakland O' Oakland

The city I love,

Where the Sun sets on the Ocean

and the birds fly up above.

 

Side shows and crime are here and there

but diversity is what it is so don't dispair.

Inspiration abound is the local fair.

Black, brown, yellow, white and even green,

is whats' around and somtimes even a scary clown.

 

So I proclaim at the top of our hill,

come up on a sunset and see for yourself

 

Oakland O' Oakland

The city I love,

Where the Sun sets on the Ocean

and the birds fly up above.

 

 

 

Lexie P's picture

Lexie P Fri, 19 Feb at 09:28

Well, thanks for sharing this information. I think many would be interested in visiting the uptown. Seems very interesting and I think people, especially students might love it there. Anyway, speaking of students. It's becoming a harsher world out there, especially for college graduates. As we all know, to get a job you need experience, and you can't get experience until you have experience, and you won't have experience until you get experience. The number of college internships is getting fewer, as student aid budgets get clipped and universities prefer to raise tuition and send students running for payday loans rather than tell the football team they don't get new uniforms. The unfortunate thing is that fewer internships are paid positions, but even an unpaid internship becomes invaluable to a student who is about to graduate.