Oakland

Opinion: What’s Really Going on With Bay Area Fires?

Published

9 years ago

April 11, 2017

Oakland Post

By Richard Johnson, San Quentin Prison

It has become almost routine for devastating property fires that cause major deaths to occur in Oakland.

We can attribute this to many factors. Yet, if the truth be told, there’s no real accountability with regards to efficient procedural inspections being adhered to that could possibly point out potential hot spots destined to go up in flames due to a lack of preventable measures being established.

The most recent fire on San Pablo Avenue in West Oakland was in a depressed area with conditions associated with being underprivileged.

Chances are had such a building been located in a more affluent vicinity, there is no doubt that inspections and the enforcement of codes would have occurred.

The Ghost ship nightmare, which occurred in a Fruitvale District impoverished area, was yet another example of disregard and lack of budget allocations for sufficient inspectors by the city’s managers.

The cumulative effect of dereliction by our elected officials and well-paid managers has created these patterns of fires that resulted in the loss of precious lives.

It’s irresponsible and outrageous for a city not to at least attempt to render help to those areas that truly need oversight.

The mounting deaths and property destruction demands that there be a thorough investigation into the finances.

As someone who attended schools and was raised in Oakland, I appeal to the city’s residents and leaders to understand that you are charged with the responsibility to rectify the ills that have caused so much pain, anger and grief to your poor and helpless neighbors.

Depending on your point of view of how these catastrophic fires affect so many, we are left with the option to either act or not to act.

A lot of times it’s not the act itself that is important, but rather it’s our reactions toward prevention that make the difference.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 1 – 7, 2026

Published

4 days ago

April 6, 2026

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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

3 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

3 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