Oakland

OP-ED: Immigration, Racism and the Future of Oakland

Published

12 years ago

August 25, 2014

I heard a moving radio commentary by Mumia Abu Jamal on efforts by right wing militias and politicians to prevent children fleeing poverty and violence in Central America from entering the United States.

Mumia compared the callous indifference and racism towards these children with the refusal of the U.S. government to admit Jewish children fleeing from Hitler in the 1940s.He quoted blatantly anti-Semitic comments by members of Congress at that time and compared them to the racist statements made by today’s right-wingers about the Central American children.

< p>The right-wing attacks against Hispanic children trying to flee violence in Central America demonstrates, despite the successes of Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, how race continues to be the most important issue shaping politics and consciousness in the United States. Even in enlightened Oakland many people accept the squalid conditions faced by the majority of our African American and Latino children, while similar treatment of children from white, more affluent backgrounds would not be tolerated.

The Oakland School District reflects this double standard. OUSD is a district populated primarily by poor, African American and Latino students. Three-quarters of the students qualify for free or reduced priced lunches; 42 percent are Hispanic, 29 percent are African American. Only 50 percent of African American and Latino students graduate from Oakland high schools within four years of starting. The state average is 80 percent.

Oakland’s teachers earn an average of $54,669; the California average is $68,030. Until we address these issues, Oakland will continue to be a divided city.

Middle class and affluent families will insure that their children enjoy a comfortable life and receive a good education, and most will attend college. In our poor communities, far fewer children enjoy the benefits of a comfortable life, many go hungry, and relatively few succeed in school or attend college. Those who never graduate from high school are doomed to lives of low wage jobs, unemployment, and, in many cases, prison.

The viable existence of a society depends upon a social contract, the unwritten agreement between individuals and the government under which people accept the government’s authority over many aspects of their lives in exchange for the security and other benefits the government provides. But when tens of millions of people are excluded from the benefits provided to the majority, social decay and disorder are inevitable.

In the U.S. today, the richest one percent control more wealth than the bottom 90 percent. This situation is not only morally wrong; it is a recipe for disaster. The future health of American society will depend upon its ability to close the income and privilege gaps that divide the rich and the poor, particularly low income people of color.

Our campaign for Mayor of Oakland advocates the development of the City based upon principles of social and economic justice. Our success will help create a model for the future of America.

Dan Siegel

Dan Siegel is a local civil rights attorney and a candidate for mayor.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

March 22, 2026

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Advice

Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

As a college student, managing financial responsibilities can be stressful.

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. In one survey, 78% of college students who reported financial stress had negative impacts on their mental health, and 59% considered dropping out. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for each student, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future.

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress.

Understand what causes financial stress

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. For students this often includes paying for school or paying off student loans, studying abroad, saving for spring break, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

Many students have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing their debt obligations. One option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts.

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses.

6. Seek help and support

Many colleges have resources to help students experiencing financial stress, like financial literacy courses or funds that provide some assistance for students in need. Talk to your admissions counselor or advisor about your concerns, and they can direct you to sources of support. Your school’s counseling center can also be a great resource for mental health assistance if you’re struggling with financial stress.

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect college students’ health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you, and seek additional support on campus as needed to help keep you on track.

 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC