Black History

Diana Becton Becomes First Woman and Person of Color District Attorney of Contra Costa County

OAKLAND POST — It took 167 years and the forward-thinking citizens of Contra Costa County to seize the moment.

Published

5 years ago

February 14, 2019

By Rev. Alvin Bernstine

On Sunday, Jan. 6, while the rains deluged with torrential force, people from all over Contra Costa County, San Francisco, Alameda County, and the Bay Area converged upon the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Richmond, where Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Bernstine serves as pastor.

People, from all walks of life, races, colors, creeds, and sexual orientation braved the downpour, navigated around the wreckages of hydroplaned cars, and endured the winter chill and twilight to join in an interfaith service of celebration, worship and thanksgiving to celebrate history in the making—the election and swearing-in of the Hon. Diana Becton, retired judge of the Superior Court of California as the 25th District Attorney of Contra Costa County.

It took 167 years and the forward-thinking citizens of Contra Costa County to seize the moment and elect Diana Becton, the first woman and the first person of color to hold the highest-elected office of law enforcement in the county despite formidable opposition with a sizeable campaign purse.

So they enthusiastically gathered within the intimate walls of her church to celebrate.

The interfaith service was a remarkable affair. Perhaps not since the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., visited Easter Hills United Methodist Church has such a diverse group of people gathered in Richmond. The ecumenicity of the celebration featured an invocation from Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles, a Pittsburg United Methodist; scripture readings by Genesis Johnson, a fifth-grader from Eagle Peak Montessori School, Walnut Creek; Jason Hill, Saint Mary’s College High School, Berkeley; Oracion de San Francisco by Miguel Gonzalez, Jr., City College, San Francisco.

The Shema was cited by Mr. David Ratner, Congregation B’nai Tikvah, Walnut Creek, and prayers of blessings from Deacon Philip Arnold, Jr., The Bay Church, Concord; Ms. Loel Bartlett Miller, Executive Board of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa; Dr. Ejaz Naqvi, Islamic Center of Zahra, Pleasanton; Ms. Holiday Brugeman, Christian Science, Danville; Mr. Kevin Finklea, Victory Outreach Church, Pittsburg.

The celebration included soulful singing by the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Choir, led by Dr. Donnell Thomas; a solo, “Oh Freedom!” by retired United Meth odist minister, Rev. Roger Kimble, III; a Jewish rendition of Pitchu b’chesed (Open up in justice and love) by Jennie Chabon, accompanied by Lisa Zieler, B’nai Tikvah, Walnut Creek, and a stirring rendition of “God Bless the Child That Has His Own” by Naomi Smith, Ujima Recovery Services.

Rev. Charles Tindsley, retired Chaplain of Contra Costa Juvenile Center and organizer of the event, was able to include youths Joshua Barlet, Jeffrey Chao, and William Ponce-Ramirez as featured readers of scripture.

Gigi Crowder, Executive Director of NAMI and Ms. Malkia Crowder, Probation Manager of Juvenile Hall, offered a spirited reading of Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman.”

However, the evening’s historical significance was powerfully elucidated in the sermon delivered by the inimitable Dr. Amos C. Brown of the Third Baptist Church, San Francisco.

Dr. Rev. Amos Brown. Photo by Joe L. Fisher

Dr. Brown, with encyclopedic acuity, challenged the crowd to ponder the racist legacy of Western Civilization, including America and the Christian church. His brilliance to quote substantive texts, and legendary thinkers, brought to bear the significance of the moment. After providing a scathing critique of what the “moronic” Trump presidency implies about America, he encouraged D. A. Becton, and the witnessing congregation, to embrace the mantle of the prophet Micah, “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

After being introduced by Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia, district attorney Becton graciously thanked the citizens of the county for entrusting her with the responsibility to serve. She offered historical perspective and shared an impressive account of noted accomplishments within the office, as well as her hopes and dreams within the office of the District Attorney. Pastor Bernstine read the Prayer of Consecration prepared by the Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., the pastor of her early spiritual formation. The Sisters of Bethlehem provided an impressive assortment of culinary treats to complete a historical night in Richmond.

This article originally appeared in the Oakland Post.

Dr. Rev. Alvin Bernstine

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

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

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Black History

Matthew Henson: Explorer Extraordinaire

Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.

Published

6 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Matthew Henson (File Photo)

By Tamara Shiloh

Henson’s life began amidst the backdrop of post-Civil War America, where opportunities for African Americans were scarce. From a young age, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond his small town. At the age of 12, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of his life forever when he joined a merchant ship as a cabin boy.

His most famous expedition was his journey to the Arctic with renowned explorer Robert E. Peary. In 1887, Henson joined Peary’s crew as a seaman and quickly proved himself to be invaluable with his skills as a navigator and craftsman. Over the course of several expeditions, Matthew endured extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and grueling conditions as he and Peary sought to reach the elusive North Pole.

In 1908–09, Peary set out on his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. It was a big expedition, with Peary planning to leave supplies along the way. When he and Henson boarded their ship, the Roosevelt, leaving Greenland on August 18, 1909, they were joined by a large group. This included 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, 246 dogs, 70 tons of whale meat, blubber from 50 walruses, hunting gear, and tons of coal.

In February, Henson and Peary left their anchored ship at Ellesmere Island’s Cape Sheridan, along with the Inuit men and 130 dogs. They worked together to set up a trail and supplies along the way to the Pole.

Peary picked Henson and four Inuit people to join him in the final push to the Pole. However, before they reached their destination, Peary couldn’t walk anymore and had to ride in a dog sled. He sent Henson ahead to scout the way. In a later interview with a newspaper, Henson recalled being in the lead and realizing they had gone too far. The group turned back, and Henson noticed his footprints helped guide them to their destination. At that location, Henson planted the American flag.

Henson’s legacy extends far beyond his expeditions to the Arctic. He shattered racial barriers in the world of exploration and inspired countless individuals, regardless of race, to dream big and pursue their passions. In 1937, he was finally recognized for his achievements when he was inducted into The Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research.

Matthew Henson died in the Bronx, New York, on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88.

Oakland Post

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Art

Marin County: A Snapshot of California’s Black History Is on Display

The Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Ave in San Rafael, will host the extraordinary exhibit, “The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960),” from Feb. 1 to May 31, 2024. The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

Oakland Post

Early photo of Marin City in the exhibit showing the first department store, barber shop, and liquor store. (Photo by Godfrey Lee)

By Post Staff

The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

All will have the opportunity to visit and be guided by its curator Felecia Gaston.

The exhibit will include photographs, articles and artifacts about the Black experience in Marin City from 1942 to 1960 from the Felecia Gaston Collection, the Anne T. Kent California Room Collection, The Ruth Marion and Pirkle Jones Collection, The Bancroft Library, and the Daniel Ruark Collection.

It also features contemporary original artwork by Chuck D of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Public Enemy, clay sculptures by San Francisco-based artist Kaytea Petro, and art pieces made by Marin City youth in collaboration with Lynn Sondag, Associate Professor of Art at Dominican University of California.

The exhibit explores how Marin City residents endured housing inequities over the years and captures the history of plans to remove Black residents from the area after World War II. Throughout, it embodies the spirit of survival and endurance that emboldened the people who made Marin City home.

Felecia Gaston is the author of the commemorative book, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home: The Story of World War II Marinship and the Legacy of Marin City.’ Thanks to the generous contribution of benefactors, a set of Felecia’s book will be placed in every public elementary, middle, and high school library in Marin.

In addition, educators and librarians at each school will have the opportunity to engage with Felecia in a review of best practices for utilizing the valuable primary sources within the book.

“Our goal is to provide students with the opportunity to learn from these significant and historical contributions to Marin County, California, and the United States,” said John Carroll, Marin County Superintendent of Schools.

“By engaging with Felecia’s book and then visiting the exhibit, students will be able to further connect their knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of this significant historical period,” Carroll continued.

Felecia Gaston adds, “The Marin County Office of Education’s decision to bring the Marin City Historical Traveling Exhibit and publication, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home’ to young students is intentional and plays a substantial role in the educational world. It is imperative that our community knows the contributions of Marin City Black residents to Marin County. Our youth are best placed to lead this transformation.”

The Marin County Office of Education will host an Open House Reception of the exhibit’s debut on Feb. 1 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.. All school staff, educators, librarians, and community members are encouraged to attend to preview the exhibit and connect with Felecia Gaston. To contact Gaston, email MarinCityLegacy@marinschools.org