Activism

OPINION: Why is it So Important to Give Back

I believe something is always better than nothing. Which is why I recruited other volunteers to help gather me gather Food, gift cards, clothing, toys and occasionally money to help meet the cost of living which has sky-rocketed, impacting the most vulnerable. What gave me pause however was the seeming lack of community partnerships.

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2022

Oakland Post

By Richard Johnson

The Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back organization was my brainchild as I struggled in that dark cold dank cell at Pelican Bay State Prison reflecting on my life, wasting practically all of it, going against the grain so-to- speak. I concluded if given the opportunity to ever get out I would bring changes not only for myself but equally for the community that I so harmed.

At various periods while doing a 33 to life sentence for the possession of drugs, my hopes would flee bringing forth a sense of doom, drenched in gloom in that cesspool of misery and despair. However, what restored my faith, strength, resolve and desire was that I wanted to leave a legacy that my family could appreciate that truly reflected my true self; not the person that most knew as that being a criminal.

Even while being labeled by the penal system as being the worst of the worst, I wanted redemption. I knew that I must give back from my heart. I understood that time was running short and father time was not going to be favorable to me. So, I begin to write about my true self in a ledger that evolved into a life lesson book dedicated to my son and others of his creed. Kids that would undoubtedly be challenged by the same contradictions, hardships and feelings of being lost that I had experienced without the proper examples, mentors and guidance.

Father time eventually turned in a positive way. I was blessed by a turn of fate. I was given an unexpected early release to the community just as COVID emerged on the scene. Governor Newsom gave me a medical reprieve release. Of course, I had to finish out my term but on the streets. This came with a host of restrictions, safeguards, curfews, ankle monitors, UA testing, radius limitations and more. Once out, I had a list of to-dos first such as acquiring my driver’s license, social security card, ID, etc.

Ithen was faced with the necessity of seeking employment. Soon I found a job at the 5 Key’s organization. Immediately, I came home to a different world that I had left. A total culture shock! I could not imagine it being this bad. Homelessness, torn-up streets, violence untold, schools being shut-down, mismanagement run amuck. This is where I saw the opportunity to make a real difference by giving back turning a negative into a positive, giving birth to Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back. I was also giving an opportunity to continue as a columnist with the Oakland Post which had started while I was at San Quentin

I knew that others who also would be released from prison would see the need for change and to be in a position to just serve others by volunteering to make a difference. As I believed in my heart, I began to reach out to other members of the re-entry community by telling them through my Post columns “If you were once part of the problem, you can always be part of the needed solution.”

In short order, I began to do what I could for the community without resources, without any government grants, without foundation grants. At the beginning I only had the love and support of my family and a few coins in my pocket, but i decided to launch the Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back’s effort as a way to observe and celebrate the true spirit and meanings of Christmas, thanksgiving, Father’s & Mother’s Day, Juneteenth by collecting and giving what we had available to needy families and children.

I believe Something is always better than nothing. Which is why I recruited other volunteers to help gather me gather Food, gift cards, clothing, toys and occasionally money to help meet the cost of living which has sky-rocketed, impacting the most vulnerable. What gave me pause however was the seeming lack of community partnerships.

The lack of unity undermines the needed work to shift the pendulum forward. A solid fist is always much stronger than individual fingers. Unity is the key to success; we must not undermine one another or play politics with the lives that so desperately need our help. The resources are here. Proper distribution, cooperation and management has been what is lacking. Mistakes are inevitable; however, repeated mistakes aren’t. Setting the proper course is doable. Let’s man-up and woman-up for a serious change.

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Calif. Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Discuss Competing Bills, Strategies

Advocates from across California are challenging state officials and community leaders to support legislation that provides resources and services for survivors and victims of human trafficking, as well as assistance as they transition back into civil society.  Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

Published

6 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

According to the FBI, a report covering a two-year period found Black children accounted for 57% of all juvenile arrests for prostitution. In addition, 40% of sex trafficking victims were Black and 60% of those victims had been enrolled in the foster care system.

“It is time to hold the perpetrators who take advantage of our children accountable,” said the Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based activist, former foster youth and founder of the Peoples Association of Justice Advocates, (PAJA), a national civil rights organization and policy think tank.

“It is time to send a thorough message that if you seek to buy a child for sex, you will pay the highest criminal penalties in this state,” added Harris who was speaking at a rally at the State Capitol earlier this month. Harris was speaking in support of Senate Bill 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (D-Bakersfield), which calls for people who buy sex from minors to be punished with a felony. The punishment includes a two-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine.

Harris said the PAJA is the only civil rights organization in the state that supports SB 1414.

Harris urged other Black-led groups who favor anti-trafficking legislation more focused on criminal justice reforms (as opposed to stiffer penalties), to “join the movement.”

Many of those civil rights groups fear that SB 1414 could lead to the incarceration of more Black youth.

Those sentiments were echoed in a panel discussion organized by Black women advocates on April 26 to examine the cause and effects of human trafficking in California’s Black communities. The virtual event was hosted by the Forgotten Children, Inc, a faith-based nonprofit that advocates for survivors and victims of human trafficking through anti-trafficking campaigns and initiatives.

Panelists shared the psychological impact of sexual exploitation on youth and children in the long term.

Author and educator Dr. Stephany Powell shared statistics and information revealing that African American women and girls are the most trafficked nationwide.

Powell, who serves as the senior advisor on law enforcement and policy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said that national data indicates that sex trade survivors are disproportionately women of color. She stated that male survivors often go unnoticed because boys rarely report trafficked crimes.

Powell said that decriminalizing prostitution in California could increase human trafficking. She argued that Senate Bill 357, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which was signed into law in 2022 and legalized loitering for prostitution, caused a surge in street-level prostitution.

Panelist and psychologist Dr. Gloria Morrow shared opposing views on decriminalizing prostitution. She said that decriminalizing prostitution could help survivors gain access to state resources and support.

Despite opposing views, Powell and Morrow agree that the Black community needs resources and educational programs to address human trafficking.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Obituary: Social Justice Leader, the Rev. Cecil Williams, Passes at 94

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family. He was 94 years old.

Published

7 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

The Rev. Cecil Williams, civil rights activist and social justice leader was the head pastor of San Francisco’s non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church.

By California Black Media

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family.

He was 94 years old.

The reverend was a civil rights leader who advocated for the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the Bay Area.

Williams was the head pastor of the non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church. The church welcomed individuals from the queer community and people struggling with homelessness, housing instability and substance use disorder (SUD).

Through his work, Rev. Williams attracted national attention. Prominent political and cultural leaders such as Maya Angelou, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Clinton all attended church services at Glide.

Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) said she is deeply saddened about the passing of her dear friend.

“The Reverend changed the lives of millions through radical love, support, inclusivity, and a commitment to service to the most marginalized,” Lee said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the reverend inspired people across California to embody the values of generosity and acceptance.

Rev. Williams was, “a visionary leader whose legendary compassion and love for his community transformed the lives of people from all walks of life,” Newsom said.

Rev. Williams served as the chief executive officer of the Glide Foundation until his retirement in 2023.