so let me tell you about the real Oakland, the real United States. a reality that some people don't know exists, or even choose to ignore. it angers me, yet fuels my passion.
1. A few weeks ago, a young man by the name of Raymen Justice was shot and killed in east oakland. He was a student where I teach peer health. He was shot in the back of the head by a bus stop...on his way home from tutoring. you've probably never heard his name, nor know what he looks like or what he did on a daily basis. that's probably because he was black. that's probably because he was from dumpy, violent, trashy east oakland. because of these things, these silly details, he's just another number, a statistic, another grave dug, another victim of something that happens here every day. what if he were white? what if he were middle-class? people would know about it to give him, his family, and his community dignity. it would be on national news. his life was equally precious as those taken at columbine, as natalie halloway, as jon bonnett ramsey. here, in this reality, this is normal.
2. this past week i've spent some time at Native American Health Center's high school clinics. that's right...clinics right on campuses in the inner city. health care is accessible, and confidential. there, health takes an educational approach. the clinic is so well-rounded, it is incredible. students can come in for an appointment and be examined by a provider. wait...they need counseling? shuffle them right down the hall to mental health services! they aren't eating healthy? nutritionists are right on board, too. this is the type of clinic that will be opening on the campus where i teach and where i'll call home....can't flippin' wait til it opens in november!
3. speaking of the high school clinic, its importance was only validated even more to me this week. many of the appointments are young ladies coming in for birth control, emergency contraception, and pregnancy tests. i've had the pleasure of working with an awesome nurse practitioner, jayme. she's wonderful with her patients and takes time to educate them. i know i have been educated like that when i have visited the doctor in the past. that education is sooooo important, especially for teens, who are beginning to make their own decisions and make habits that last for their life time. it frustrates me how ignorant they are and really how our education system has failed them in big ways. For example, a girl came in last week and asked the question as she was waiting for the results of her pregnancy test, "sooo HIV ain't no big thang, right???" as i started beating my head against the wall, jayme took at least 20 minutes with her to explain STI's and how to prevent them. yikes.
4. gangs. they plague oakland with violence and drug abuse. border brothers. nortenos. among others. there's a battle and war over turf and pride. youth as young as 11 join, and submit themselves to a life of paranoia, fear, violence, and constantly watching your back. any moment you could be shot down because of the colors you are wearing. at a peer health education and leadership retreat last friday, i had the pleasure of meeting cesar cruz. a former gang member, who runs after-school programs that brings young gang members together...no matter their affiliation in a safe space. he teaches them latino history because that's not what is written in history books. i also met a young man named juan. a gang member as well spoke to the peer health educators. his best friend was shot and died in his arms. now he working on turning his life around. read more about cesar and his work here http://www.insidebayarea.com/top-stories/ci_14102891
this is the most real thing that i have ever done or experienced. so for those of you who think that jvc or a year of service is a waste of time....think again and i'll save the desk job for later.
now i'm going to go listen to drake's "fancy" so i know what the hell my students are singing all the time. you fancy huhhhhh!
besitos and thanks for your love
i like this post. keep it up, al.
ReplyDeletethanks for giving all of us a sight into the real world! i think sometimes we forget that these things happen because we are safe in our homes, with decent paying jobs, food, and family and friends who care.
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