Black History

Oakland Resident’s Pilgrimage to Black Historical Places in Atlanta

We strolled past The Atlanta Daily World Building — the oldest daily Black newspaper founded in 1928; the unofficial ‘mayor’ of Auburn Avenue John Wesley Dobbs’ statue, “Through His Eyes”; Rep. John Lewis’ mural; the Southern Christian Leadership Council offices where a lot of organizing was done back in the day; Ebenezer Baptist Church – Senator Raphael Warnock’s current congregation and that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ; King’s and Coretta Scott King memorial, King’s first childhood home and museum (both of which I did not get to visit due to COVID restrictions), and the Behold Monument which commemorates the historic principles that guided the life and works of MLK Jr.

Published

4 years ago

December 21, 2021

Oakland Post

A blue and white sign marks the home of Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr. preached in Atlanta

By Navdeep K. Jassal , Post News Group Ambassador

When I landed in Atlanta last summer my first stop was ‘Sweet Auburn’ Avenue. Caught the MARTA train over to Peachtree Center Station and walked down to Auburn Avenue.

I was so excited to walk down the avenue of Civil Rights giants known today as the Big Six. Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, John Lewis, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins and Whitney Young.

One of the closest stops to the beginning of Auburn Avenue was the APEX (African American Panoramic Experience) Museum so I stopped in to peruse the collection. What struck me about this museum was it started off the history of Africans as royalty in the world versus enslaved people as we are taught in our United States history classes.

There was also a life-size model of how human beings were taken to the ships, shackled and laid down, side-by-side, in very tight quarters to be shipped across the Atlantic to Western nations. These people could have been boxes full of dry goods or spices for all it mattered. They were a loaded up like a commodity and nothing else.

I learned that the largest numbers of enslaved people were brought to Brazil, and not to the United States. I also learned that Portugal was one of the biggest ports of entry for slavery.

There were two other very promising exhibits: one of African American inventors and patent holders, and the other on African American Women in STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) and their contributions for the prosperity of the world.

This museum’s president and founder is Dan Moore Sr., and I had the honor of meeting him twice during my stay in Atlanta.

In our first meeting, he took me for a ride in his pickup truck down Auburn Avenue and pointed out all the historic sites. He took me to his office to share some amazing books with me: specifically, “Why We Must Vote,” authored by Donna Briggins, Ph.D., because I told him I was in Atlanta to volunteer in voting rights.

Two outstanding extras of that day were seeing the parking lot where one of the scenes where “Black Panther” was filmed (which I searched for in Oakland many times) and visiting a Madame C.J. Walker salon. Madame Walker was the first wealthiest woman in the United States — any woman, not just a Black woman.

It was a deeply moving and thought-provoking day for me. On the way back to MARTA, I walked around continuing to explore.

I spotted a sign for a street called Equitable Place NE. There were several detours getting to the small little alley-like street. Ironic, don’t you think? We continue to fight the struggle every single day.

Navdeep K. Jassal has lived in Oakland since 2002 and is a volunteer at the First Presbyterian Church Food Ministry.

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Oakland Post: Week of February 11 = 17, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 11 – 17, 2026

Published

16 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Oakland Post

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COMMENTARY: The National Protest Must Be Accompanied with Our Votes

Just as Trump is gathering election data like having the FBI take all the election data in Georgia from the 2020 election, so must we organize in preparation for the coming primary season to have the right people on ballots in each Republican district, so that we can regain control of the House of Representatives and by doing so, restore the separation of powers and balance that our democracy is being deprived of.

Published

7 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper. File photo..

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

As thousands of Americans march every week in cities across this great nation, it must be remembered that the protest without the vote is of no concern to Donald Trump and his administration.

In every city, there is a personal connection to the U.S. Congress. In too many cases, the member of Congress representing the people of that city and the congressional district in which it sits, is a Republican. It is the Republicans who are giving silent support to the destructive actions of those persons like the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of Homeland Security, and the National Intelligence Director, who are carrying out the revenge campaign of the President rather than upholding the oath of office each of them took “to Defend The Constitution of the United States.”

In California, the primary comes in June 2026. The congressional races must be a priority just as much as the local election of people has been so important in keeping ICE from acquiring facilities to build more prisons around the country.

“We the People” are winning this battle, even though it might not look like it. Each of us must get involved now, right where we are.

In this Black History month, it is important to remember that all we have accomplished in this nation has been “in spite of” and not “because of.” Frederick Douglas said, “Power concedes nothing without a struggle.”

Today, the struggle is to maintain our very institutions and history. Our strength in this struggle rests in our “collectiveness.” Our newspapers and journalists are at the greatest risk. We must not personally add to the attack by ignoring those who have been our very foundation, our Black press.

Are you spending your dollars this Black History Month with those who salute and honor contributions by supporting those who tell our stories? Remember that silence is the same as consent and support for the opposition. Where do you stand and where will your dollars go?

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Activism

Congresswoman Simon Votes Against Department of Homeland Security, ICE Funding

“They need accountability. Republicans already gave these agencies an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, funding they have used to conduct raids at schools, separate families, and deploy a masked paramilitary who refuse to identify themselves on American streets. This bill gives them more funding without a single reform to stop unconstitutional, immoral abuses,” she said.

Published

7 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12). File photo.

By Post Staff

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released a statement after voting against legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which supports Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB).

“Today, I voted NO on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13, 2026.

“ICE and CBP do not need more funding to terrorize communities or kill more people,” she said in the media release.

“They need accountability. Republicans already gave these agencies an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, funding they have used to conduct raids at schools, separate families, and deploy a masked paramilitary who refuse to identify themselves on American streets. This bill gives them more funding without a single reform to stop unconstitutional, immoral abuses,” she said.

“The American people are demanding change. Poll after poll of Americans’ opinions show overwhelming support for requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras and prohibiting them from hiding their faces during enforcement actions. This is the bare minimum transparency standard, and this funding legislation does not even meet this low bar,” Simon said.

“Republicans in Congress are not serious about reining in these lawless agencies. Their refusal to make meaningful changes to the DHS funding bill has consequences that go beyond immigration enforcement. TSA agents who keep our airports safe and FEMA workers who help our communities recover from disasters are stuck in limbo due to Republican inaction.

“The Constitution does not have an exception for immigrants. Every person on American soil has rights, and federal agencies must respect them. The East Bay has made clear at the Alameda County and city level that we will hold the line against a violent ICE force and support our immigrant communities – I will continue to hold the line and our values with my votes in Congress.”