Popped in Oakland

This video throws out some scary facts....but not one solution. It is clear to those that live in Oakland that violence of all sorts (gang, police, sexual or otherwise) is an issue. Oakland is not the only place where these things are a problem. I'm also confused as to why we are asking a surgeon from SF about gang violence in Oakland?? What special credentials does he have to legitimize his statements? What we need to do is ask people in the community what needs to change, and then support them in making that happen. Community members ARE the experts; they have legitimate ideas, history, and knowledge that could lead to healthier, safer, thriving communities.

Sad thing going on in Oakland ......made me kinda sad to watch this because people in this video that are now dead i knew...

Keep up the Good Work

man thats like it is in my hood my home boys........

It is a shame that such a creative area in the bay is plagued with violence and despair for its young people. The city needs to come up with more things for the youth to do and the community has to come together and come up with solutions to the problems of the youth that includes involving them in the dialogue as well.

back when i was in high school, in my area people got shot over 20 dollars. its crazy

Blessinz,
Keep up the work Kevin we seem to be working on the same issue. Stay safe out there and keep your head up.

This is a great pod.

Maybe I just dont understand but why do they stay? I mean, I know it's your home, but what kind of home is it, where you can't walk to the grocery store without getting shot at?

very informative!

Nicely done - Good job of presenting in it's true grittiness!

Say no to drugs.

Those of us from Oakland understand the violence of Oakland. This seems to me to be a promo piece for why more police are needed in underserved communities.
I don't recognize my town as being the "killing fields," nor do I complain when out of town developers, such as Lennar and others, see the value in Hunters Point and Oakland, and seek to invest billions of dollars here. Some people benefit from these negative portrayals. Too bad it's not the good, decent, working and scholarly Black people who live in these communities. To those who don't know, from this piece you would believe ALL young BlackMen are fools who stand around and grin about being shot, and acting as if it's "all just a part of life." No, brother Kev, it's NOT just a part of life for most of us.
They say, "if you're not part of the solution,
you're part of the problem."
Honestly, do you really believe these rehashings of negativity are part of the solution?

Please: next time bring water, as opposed to gasoline to the fire. Some of us are working hard to keep our people ALIVE.

Great pod Epps. All the people you spoke to were compelling characters and and unlike a lot of pods they didn't seem to haven any agenda, just telling it like it is. Keep up the good work.

This is very deep. It's just sad that violence has become so usual in our society.

This is so disturbing, why can't the city get a handle on the this instead of building condos that people cannot afford put the money in the community for young people

I just moved here and Ive heard gun shots every week since ive moved here. In Nyc it was fireworks... out here its Guns!

and to answer kevingonzalez :

Its more of being proud to still be alive. The men and women living in Oakland and other overlooked yet underprivileged areas have to deal with death and violence on a day to day basis, something many of us may not face even once in our lives. People too often believe that a life of crime is purposefully chosen but its actually chosen FOR them and stems from the condition of their environment. The ultimate achievement for low income minorities is presented as growing rich and getting away from the hood. So for those still living and breathing in it, its like surviving war.

great pod! I loved the insertion of the facts and the progress of the story is intense ... I would love to see more!

What's up with those guys acting proud for getting shot?

This is a very moving piece.

wow, that was sad. good pod tho. one of my cousins died right before christmas of '06. and another one my cousins was shot a week after i left him on that same christmas break before new years. peace

Another stunning pod from Mr. Epps. Kevin I'd love you to take us deeper into this story sometime soon...I'm gonna speak to Laura, Andrew and Ez about it...thanks man!

RIP Ernest Johnston.

Thanx Kevin for getting the word out. I love Oakland this is my city. Fortunately I have not been directly effected by any of this violence but being in Oakland you have to stay on edge at all times. One cannot be too careful. You have to watch who you associate with. It is sad these guys seem more proud of what happened to them more than anything when they should use their wounds as warnings to those around them. But these are our new age warriors. They see these as battle scars that have tested there gangster. I grew up here and have not seen things change not necessarily worse but no change at all. I am older then the guys but I do remember going out years ago and having to duck at every party I went to because someone was bound to shoot it up. Keep putting the word out and showing the world what we deal with out here.

great piece!

Still baffles me that it is so easy to get a weapon. Almost anyone with 300 bucks can get a piece in the bay area with minimal hassle and background checking.

Guns are so scary - how could anyone go hunting with them?