Activism

A’s Give Back to the Community

Published

4 years ago

December 26, 2019

Even though we are amid the season of giving, the Oakland A’s have perennially given back to the Bay Area as a year-round corporate policy and activity. The Oakland Post reviewed the A’s community relations team’s 2019 season of giving by looking at some of their notable community events.

In April the A’s hosted 3,000 kids from elementary and middle schools for their STEM Day. With an emphasis on science, math, geometry and some principles of physics kids made connections through the A’s “Science of Baseball” program which enabled them to learn to how to calculate how far a baseball can travel. By using math and science to aid in researching the metrics was exciting for all. Especially pitcher Sean Manaea, who participated in the event.

“I’m interested in math and science and seeing the physics of how far a baseball can go through the eyes of the kids,” said Manaea. “I’m here to learn as much as the kids and I’m really having a good time.”

During the month of May, Pitcher Aaron Brooks and “Stomper” the A’s mascot paid a visit to Kaiser Permanente and helped celebrate “Nurses Week” to appreciate the selfless acts of people who continuously care for those in need. The nurses, along with all those in the children’s ward were pleased with the visit from Brooks and Stomper’. They brought bobbleheads, toys and autographed baseballs.

Brooks and Liam Hendriks also gave back to the Alameda Food Bank and were honored to have their team assist in preparing food to be delivered to families in need. The food bank serves over 5,000 individuals throughout Alameda county. Up to 200 or more volunteers assist daily in making sure food is properly prepped and stored for delivery.

On Dec. 9th Outfielder Stephen Piscotty surprised first responders at the local Fire Department. To express his sincere thanks for the lifesaving work they do across the Bay Area, a sincere “thank you” for all the hard work they continue to do across the Bay Area, Piscotty signed autographs, took photos, and brought Round Table Pizza for lunch. Surprised firefighters were very pleased to be recognized by the Oakland A’s.

Piscotty also joined First Baseman Matt Olson, Stomper and the A’s front office during the “Week of Giving” as they visited the Mobile Food Pantry to distribute pre-packed boxes to the Mobile Food Pantry Program’s clients. They also stopped by the emergency shelter of the Salvation Army Garden Street Center.

The A’s couldn’t complete their week of giving without stopping by Kaiser Permanente Hospital to spread holiday cheer to patients. The entire A’s front office, along with A’s players, joined with CityTeam Oakland’s projects and their residents at the main location in downtown Oakland to get prepared for the holidays and winter months.

The A’s volunteers helped with painting rooms, building dressers, constructing garden beds, decorating for the holidays, sorting and wrapping donated holiday presents, and more. The second group of A’s volunteers supported CityTeam Oakland’s new Women’s Bridge Housing Program by beautifying the yard space, constructing garden beds, cleaning the kitchen and common areas, and sorting and wrapping donated holiday presents. Materials for the beautification events were donated by Ashby Lumber.

On Dec. 23, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to sell their fifty percent ownership share of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex to the Oakland Athletics.

“We are deeply appreciative to Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Alameda County staff for their work on this transaction. We are committed to the long-term success of East Oakland and the Coliseum site, and as a result of this transaction, millions of dollars that were being spent on the Coliseum site can now be repurposed to meet important health and safety needs in Alameda County. We now look forward to creating a mutually beneficial partnership with the City of Oakland.”

Post Publisher Paul Cobb, who met with Dave Kaval, A’s President, weeks before the announcement was told of his plans to purchase the coliseum.

“Hopefully, when the stadium purchase deal is finally approved, the local governments will have some optional funds to assist the homeless and others in need”, said Cobb.

Malaika Bobino

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

13 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

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Oakland Schools Honor Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties

Every Jan. 30, OUSD commemorates the legacy of Fred Korematsu, an Oakland native, a Castlemont High School graduate, and a national symbol of resistance, resilience, and justice. His defiant stand against racial injustice and his unwavering commitment to civil rights continue to inspire the local community and the nation. Tuesday was “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution” in the state of California and a growing number of states across the country.

Published

1 day ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Fred Korematsu. Courtesy of OUSD.

By Post Staff

Every Jan. 30, OUSD commemorates the legacy of Fred Korematsu, an Oakland native, a Castlemont High School graduate, and a national symbol of resistance, resilience, and justice.

His defiant stand against racial injustice and his unwavering commitment to civil rights continue to inspire the local community and the nation. Tuesday was “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution” in the state of California and a growing number of states across the country.
One OUSD school is named in his honor: Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy (KDA) elementary in East Oakland.

Several years ago, founding KDA Principal Charles Wilson, in a video interview with anti-hate organization “Not In Our Town,” said, “We chose the name Fred Korematsu because we really felt like the attributes that he showed in his work are things that the children need to learn … that common people can stand up and make differences in a large number of people’s lives.”

Fred Korematsu was born in Oakland on Jan. 30, 1919. His parents ran a floral nursery business, and his upbringing in Oakland shaped his worldview. His belief in the importance of standing up for your rights and the rights of others, regardless of race or background, was the foundation for his activism against racial prejudice and for the rights of Japanese Americans during World War II.

At the start of the war, Korematsu was turned away from enlisting in the National Guard and the Coast Guard because of his race. He trained as a welder, working at the docks in Oakland, but was fired after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Fear and prejudice led to federal Executive Order 9066, which forced more than 120,000 Japanese Americans out of their homes and neighborhoods and into remote internment camps.

The 23-year-old Korematsu resisted the order. He underwent cosmetic surgery and assumed a false identity, choosing freedom over unjust imprisonment. His later arrest and conviction sparked a legal battle that would challenge the foundation of civil liberties in America.

Korematsu’s fight culminated in the Supreme Court’s initial ruling against him in 1944. He spent years in a Utah internment camp with his family, followed by time living in Salt Lake City where he was dogged by racism.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford overturned Executive Order 9066. Seven years later, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco vacated Korematsu’s conviction. He said in court, “I would like to see the government admit that they were wrong and do something about it so this will never happen again to any American citizen of any race, creed, or color.”

Korematsu’s dedication and determination established him as a national icon of civil rights and social justice. He advocated for justice with Rosa Parks. In 1998, President Bill Clinton gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom saying, “In the long history of our country’s constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls … To that distinguished list, today we add the name of Fred Korematsu.”

After Sept. 11, 2001, Korematsu spoke out against hatred and discrimination, saying what happened to Japanese Americans should not happen to people of Middle Eastern descent.
Korematsu’s roots in Oakland and his education in OUSD are a source of great pride for the city, according to the school district. His most famous quote, which is on the Korematsu elementary school mural, is as relevant now as ever, “If you have the feeling that something is wrong, don’t be afraid to speak up.”

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WOMEN IMPACTING THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Juanita Matthews

Sister Juanita Matthews

55 Years with Oakland Public School District

The Teacher, Mother, Community Outreach Champion, And Child of God

Juanita Matthews, better known as “Sister Teacher,” is a walking Bible scholar. She moved to California from the great state of Arkansas in 1971. Sister Teacher has a passion for teaching. She has been a member of Bible Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church since 1971. She followed her passion for teaching, and in 1977 became the lead teacher for Adult Class #6. Her motto still today is “Once My Student, Always My Student”.

Beyond her remarkable love for the Lord, Sister Teacher has showcased her love for teaching by working for the Oakland Unified School District for 55 years, all but four of those years spent at Emerson Elementary and Child Development School. She truly cares about her students, making sure they have the tools/supplies needed to learn either at OUSD or Bible Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.

She’s also had a “Clothes Closet Ministry” for 51 years, making sure her students have sufficient clothing for school. The Clothes Closet Ministry extends past her students, she has been clothing the community for over 50 years as well. She loves the Lord and is a servant on a mission. She is a loving mother to two beautiful children, Sandra and Andre. This is the impact this woman of God has on her church and the community.