Oakland News: OIFF Last Day, Chan Backs Bonta, Happy Easter Sunday!

Happy Easter Sunday from Georgia, where I spend about half my time these days, as my Mom’s here! But, as always, I have to blog about Oakland, and will return soon.

I hope you’re able to visit the Oakland International Film Festival this Sunday – well, today. The effort, in its 10th year, and headed by David Roach, is an excellent place for up-and-coming Oakland Film Makers to have their work presented for your enjoyment. As Roach said to Oakland North, Oakland is the most diverse city in America, and it’s nice to have a place where our city can show its culture via film. You can see the schedule here: http://www.oiff.org/2012schedule.pdf

Wilma Chan Backs Rob Bonta For CA Assm Dist 18

Got this email that helps Alameda City Manager Rob Bonta’s case for being the next representative of California Assembly District 18. Take a look:

SUPERVISOR WILMA CHAN BACKS BONTA FOR ASSEMBLY

OAKLAND – Alameda County Supervisor and former Assemblymember Wilma Chan today announced she has endorsed Alameda Vice Mayor Rob Bonta for State Assembly in the 18th District.

“All residents of the 18th Assembly District deserve a strong voice in Sacramento,” Chan said. “They share common concerns around schools, healthcare and public safety. Each area of the district also has unique needs such as the development of the former Naval Air Station in Alameda, the threatened closure of San Leandro Hospital and rising violence in Oakland. I believe Rob has the intelligence and skill it will take to navigate Sacramento and address the wide range of issues affecting the district.

“In addition, I believe Rob is best prepared to face the realities of a shrinking state budget without decimating public education and needed services for seniors, disabled and middle class families.”

Bonta was humbled and energized by Chan’s endorsement.
“Supervisor Chan is a legend in the East Bay in her commitment to children and families, and trailblazing accomplishments for Asian Americans and I deeply appreciate her endorsement,”
Bonta said. “I am honored and motivated to advocate on behalf of the people and issues for which we share a passion.”

Strange Man Walks Into Adams Point Home, Almost…

This below was a rather horrifying message on the Adams Point crime board, but on second read what I think happened was the man was so drunk he actually went to the wrong house, thinking it was his. Take a look:

Hi All,

A caucasian man approx. 5″8 and 145 lbs, mid 30’s with blond hair under Black baseball cap and Orange hooded sweatshirt. was on my porch and opened my screen door and was about to put his hand on my door handle when I told him through the door to get away from my door. He never looked at me but moved away but didn’t leave my porch (he stood there in a stupor), until a neighbor walking his dog came by. He left the porch and said something to the neighbor. I went up to my second floor and opened the window to ask the neighbor what he said. The man said to my neighbor “I tried to get into the wrong house” and walked down the street.

I called the non emergency number and gave the details, the police are coming by to check things out.

Just be aware of strangers and report to non emergency number 777-3311 if you want the police to check it out. Better safe then sorry.

This happened seven days ago, so all is fine. But I remember a similar situation about six years ago. It was late on a Friday night – really about 12:30 AM Saturday, and all of a sudden, my apartment door flew open and a really drunk, very well dressed White couple started to stumble in. But then, they saw it was me, apologized, and left as quickly as they came.

It happens.

I thought I’d locked the door, so it was an unfortunate way to discover I had not done so. Lock your door!

One Woman’s Way From Church On Easter Sunday

This video was just uploaded to YouTube and comes from the intersection of MLK and West Grand Avenue. It has a woman, obviously dressed as if she just came from church or some service, getting around on her motorized wheel chair. Take a look:

Bears win! Oakland Hosted The 2012 NorCal Ice Hockey Club Championship

Oakland’s Oakland Ice Center was the scene of the 2012 NorCal Ice Hockey Championships, which ended April 1st. Highlights are here: http://www.youtube.com/user/californiahockey8?feature=watch, and the Oakland Bears beat the Santa Clara Blackhawks – Oakland over Santa Clara 3-2. Congrats to the Oakland Bears!

Oakland DEA Agents Rolling Tape On Raid Day

This is a video from Monday’s live stream of the DEA Raid on the Oaksterdam University. It’s not notable for anything other than the crowd reaction, and the fact that it’s a symbol of how modern media allows us to easily go back in time and see exactly what happened at an event, as it unfolded.

Video streaming by Ustream

Is The Oakland Shooting A Korean Problem Or An American Problem?

The question that some blogs are dealing with in the wake of One L. Goh’s unbelievable rampage murder of seven people at Oikos University last Monday is “Is this a Korean problem?” And because Goh is Korean.

It’s one of those questions people don’t want to deal with because of the racial aspect of it, and how the question can lead to a weird, racist conversation, if not done with the right people. My YouTube video on Goh’s actions has caused me to delate a number of comments that were about Koreans and racist. The commenters were, in some cases, referring to the Virginia Tech Shootings of 2007.

But the fact is, if the killer’s White, no one walks around questioning White folks – the guy is isolated as a screwed up person. Why not the same for someone who’s not white? Why does it have to be a Korean problem? Such habits of race focus allow us to avoid the real problem: US, and American Culture.

I’ll leave it at that.

Stay tuned.