Activism

Restore Our City’s Service (R.O.C.S) Can Stabilize Our Community

There is no reason whatsoever that our cities should be lacking so much when the system is supposed to help, not hinder progress. R.O.C.S is necessary because maintenance and solutions come from action, not words. And, with a plan of action that pushes a sustained commitment for improvement, we can make a difference.

Published

4 years ago

July 3, 2021

Isabelle Price

R.O.C.S Workers Courtesy Richard Johnson

R.O.C.S, which stands for a concept to “Restore Our City’s Service,” is derived from a position of need because somewhere along the path the ball was dropped when it came to serving the needs of the people who are struggling to survive.

I have initiated R.O.C.S as a way to help create a path of light and hope for those whose backs are literally up against the wall, with actions that lead to solutions rather than to despair or violence.

As one moves around our communities, it will become evident from observing those living on the streets in encampments that services for much needed assistance have been severely compromised to the point of being nonexistent.

We shouldn’t have to walk by the depressing conditions of homelessness, the need for mental health assistance, vocational training needs, nagging hunger and health maintenance concerns for the disenfranchised.

Regrettably this is the reality that faces far too many cities, especially Oakland. Some people have lost hope, but more importantly, some have lost faith in the powers that be to make the needed changes.

It is a horrible sight to see how our streets are littered with garbage and filth. These conditions, along with the nasty effects of living in close proximity to vermin-infested enclaves, present a dangerous health issue for those living in street encampments.

Quite naturally R.O.C.S won’t be able to address every single problem. However, what R.O.C.S can do is open the repair gates to a much better living society. Our cities have existing services, but what is plainly obvious is those services have failed and continue to fall short of their intended objective for whatever reasons.

The goal of R.O.C.S goal is to serve those in need by working in collaboration with other organizations to restore whatever is needed to improve our cities in responsible ways. By working together we can improve our schools, hospitals, city streets and make many other needed repairs for cities to function properly.

Talk is nothing without production and a plan that connect the neglected while advancing the overall agenda to make our spaces much better livable places.

Let’s not confuse agenda with progress. Progress is made when the needs of people are met and when the restorations are achieved.

After serving many years in prison where I started writing columns for the Post, I prayed often and pledged to devote the rest of my writings and my work life to restoring justice and services to those in need.

I now pray that R.O.C can be the rock that stabilizes our community in a profound way.

Isabelle Price

Posts by Isabelle Price

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of May 14 – 20, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 14 – 20, 2025

Published

8 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

The Best Advice for Raising Children: Discipline That Makes Sense

In his book Developing Positive Self Images and Discipline in Black Children, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu suggests that primary aims for socializing Black children should be: establishing goals related to God and the church; familiarizing children with religious texts like the Bible or Quran; educating them of Black culture like Khemetic (Egyptian) Civilization; enlightening them about Black leaders like Malcolm X and Sojourner Truth; and teaching them to strive to be employers, not employees.

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2025

Oakland Post

Headshot of Dr. William A. Thomas. Photo courtesy of Dr. William A. Thomas.

By William A. Thomas, Ph.D.

In many African societies, the primary aim of socialization is to raise children to be socially responsible and eventually provide economic support to their parents and extended families. Ghanaian philosopher Kwame Gyekye taught that children are raised to be respectful of the wishes of their parents and extended adult family members.

In his book Developing Positive Self Images and Discipline in Black Children, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu suggests that primary aims for socializing Black children should be: establishing goals related to God and the church; familiarizing children with religious texts like the Bible or Quran; educating them of Black culture like Khemetic (Egyptian) Civilization; enlightening them about Black leaders like Malcolm X and Sojourner Truth; and teaching them to strive to be employers, not employees.

Effective disciplinary strategies appropriate to a child’s age and development teach them to regulate their behavior; keep them from harm; enhance their cognitive, social, and emotional executive functioning skills; and reinforce the behavioral patterns taught by their parents and caregivers.

Below are some specific guidelines for disciplining children.

Listen to what children are talking about with interest and show them you understand their feelings. Remember, children mirror and learn about their emotional selves by hearing their feelings reflected back to them. Staying on target also means avoiding labels. When children fail to do what is expected, discussing it is helpful rather than saying how stubborn, lazy, dumb, or bad they are. By the same token, more positive labels can be helpful.

Dependability is another essential component of the discipline process. When parents are dependable, their children learn what to expect and are helped to feel secure. When parents are consistent, children learn to trust, that is, predict their parents’ behaviors with certainty. A child thinks, “When I spill something, I will always be asked to wipe it up.” A child thinks, “If I use foul language, I will always be corrected.” A child thinks, “If I take something that doesn’t belong to me, I will always have to give it back.” The ability to predict with certainty leads children to rely on their parents and the village/community in which they live. Children feel safe when they know what to expect.

Conclusions

It takes a village/community to raise the divine gift that is the Black child. Parents look to therapists for guidance concerning a variety of parenting issues, including discipline. Keep in mind that evidence suggests that corporal punishment is both ineffective in the long term and associated with cognitive and mental health disorders. When parents want guidance about the use of spanking, a child therapist can explore parental feelings, help them better define the goals of discipline, and offer specific behavior management strategies. In addition to providing appropriate education to families, the Bay Area Association of Black Psychologists (Bay ABPsi) can refer them to community resources, like parenting groups and classes.

About the Author

Dr. Thomas is a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in the SF/Oakland Bay Area and Beaumont. He is a member of Bay ABPsi, a healing resource committed to providing the Post Newspaper readership with monthly discussions about critical issues in Black Mental Health. Readers are welcome to join us at our monthly chapter meetings every 3^rd Saturday via Zoom and contact us at bayareaabpsi@gmail.com.