Arthur Bertram Cuthbert Walker II: An Inspiration for Generations Page 2
What You Need to Know About California’s New Sexual Assault Laws
Oakland Co-op Buys Historic Esther’s Orbit Room Space
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New Cal Law Addresses Anti-Black Bias in Home Appraisal Process
Oakland Post
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“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
postnewsgroup.com
Weekly Edition: October 20-26, 2021
Colin L. Powell, 84, Former Secretary of State
First Black man to serve as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and first Black Secretary of State By Post Staff
Colin L. Powell, the first Black man to serve as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and first Black Secretary of State, died Monday of complications of COVID-19. The 84-year-old was also diagnosed with and being treated for a form of blood cancer and Parkinson’s disease. A four-star general who also served on the National Security Council, Powell was born in Harlem, New York, to Jamaican immigrants in 1937. He attended public schools in the Bronx, where he grew up, and would graduate from City College of New York before joining the armed services in 1958 as a second lieutenant because of his participation in ROTC. He was a professional soldier for 37 years, including two tours in Vietnam, rising steadily through the ranks until achieving 4-star general status in 1989 and, later that year, became the youngest and the first
Four-star General Colin L. en.wikipedia.org
Afro-Caribbean to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense.
A moderate, the lifelong Republican was well liked by both political parties, but he ultimately decided against running for public office himself. He was selected in 2000 to be Secretary of State, transforming General Powell from soldier to statesman. He became known for persuading the American public and world leaders that Iraq was creating weapons of mass destruction when he ultimately agreed with President George Bush’s administration determination to remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. It would turn out that the allegations of weapons of mass destruction were not true and Powell would consider the war and loss of life a blot on his record the rest of his life. Powell. Photo courtesy of He returned to private life in 2005 and became an acclaimed Powell was an exceptional speaker in high demand. He broke rank with his felmilitary leader. He earned the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, low Republicans when he supand the Soldier’s Medal for Continued on Page 12 heroism.
School Advocate Finds School Remedying District Lost Money By Closing Roots, Illegal Dumping/Trash Kaiser Elementary and Other Schools District claims but shows no proof that closing more schools would save $2 million
By Ken Epstein
By Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan
Oakland has been facing rising amounts of trash and illegal dumping on our underpasses, streets, parks, and sidewalks. This problem has been growing substantially in recent years, and is attracting rats and other vectors of disease, and creating an expanding public health hazard and blight. Debris and dumping undermine and impede our community, and blocks access for pedestrians and more, and leaving it around attracts additional problems and further dumping, and deters positive activity. My plan of improvements to remedy this, includes: Change from a primarily complaint-based system, where illegal dumping lies around until somebody files a complaint, to using primarily a proactive approach where illegal dumping is actively removed without waiting for complaints, including zone-based trash removal work, and targeting hot spots. Improve and expand reward/incentive program, for members of the public to help identify and send in information such as license plates of illegal dumping vehicles, and have adequate city personnel assigned to Continued on Page 12
A community education advocate has written a public letter using district data to show that the Oakland school district did not save money but instead lost over $700,000 when it closed two well-loved elementary schools. Carol Delton, a community education advocate who has dedicated a lot of her time to keeping track of Oakland school district’s finances, has raised disturbing questions about the lack of transparency, accountability and seemingly inaccurate budget numbers that the district and its hands-on overseers at the Alameda County Office of Education, the Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance
58th Year, No. 18
Association of Black American Ambassadors Salute Colin Powell Courtesy of The ABAA The Association of Black American Ambassadors (ABAA) is profoundly saddened by the passing of former Secretary of State General Colin L. Powell. Secretary Powell was an icon of American diplomacy whose service to our country was unparalleled in every respect ranging from his contributions as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisor and Secretary of State. It is in the latter role that ABAA members appreciate him the most. America’s top diplomat set standards that elevated United States foreign policy operations through the emphasis that he placed on the importance of the members of the professional career Foreign Service, Civil Service and Foreign Service Nationals. He cared for “his troops.” His emphasis on leadership, good management, adequate resources and staffing, continuous training, the use of the internet and other technology, ensuring a family friendly Foreign Service, all combined to enhance the preparation and performance of America’s diplomatic corps. The ABAA appreciates the emphasis that Secretary Powell placed on diversity and inclusion in the foreign policy arena. He participated in the recruitment of can-
Ruth Davis, President Ad interim of ABAA.
didates for the Foreign Service from underrepresented groups by increasing the recruitment budget and making video advertisements. He was attentive to the wishes of the Department’s affinity groups and ensured that African American ambassadorial assignments were not limited to the ‘traditional Africa circuit”. Equally important, Secretary Powell encouraged his senior staff to promote diversity and inclusion, personally following up on their progress. Secretary Powell was dedicated to his wife, children, and grandchildren. Their love was his source of strength. For the rest of our lives, we will be proud to say, “I served with Secretary Powell.” Members of the ABAA send our condolences to the Powell family and the many others who mourn his loss throughout the world. This article is submitted by Ruth Davis, President Ad interim of ABAA.
Ask County Supervisors Not to Spend Millions in Tax Dollars on Oakland A’s Real Estate Deal By Post Staff
Students, teachers and parents at Roots Academy protest at School Board meetings in January 2019, opposing district decision to close their school. Photo courtesy of Oakland North.
Team (FCMAT) and the State Department of Finance are using to force the district to close schools and gut school site ed-
ucational programs. Delton, a retired schoolContinued on Page 12
Youth Sports Nation, Mr. Community Builds Excitement Around Baseball Through Music, Sports And Education
The East Oakland Stadium Alliance (EOSA) and other groups are asking local residents to attend and speak at next week’s County Board of Supervisors meeting to oppose a proposal to spend county residents’ tax dollars to pay for the Oakland A’s massive multi-billion-dollar real estate deal at Howard Terminal at the Port of Oakland. The public is invited to attend the meeting Tuesday, Oct. 26 and express their opinion; call or email your
supervisor and Keith Carson, president of the Board of Supervisors, through his chief of staff Amy Shrago at (510) 272-6685 or Amy.Shrago@ acgov.org The Stadium Alliance urges community members to “let (the supervisors) know that Alameda County residents don’t want our tax dollars to pay for a private luxury development. This proposal does not include privately funded community benefits and would harm our region’s economic engine - the port, putting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs at risk.”
Oakland’s A-list of Stars
As youth baseball alumni and community pillars, we grew up playing in Oakland, so our goal is to increase the number in minorities playing baseball, says Terry “Mr. Community” Butler and M.L.B. Legend Bip Roberts. Butler’s youth sports activities have been supported by City Council member Noel Gallo who is shown during a Mr. Community Show at Oakland A’s Stadium with Terry “Mr. Community” Butler, Oakland Youth Baseball President “Louie Butler,” Oakland Youth Baseball Leader “Dr. Jessie Wyatt” and M.L.B. Legend Bip Roberts. On Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 at 6 p.m., the Mr. Community Show is set to perform at the Alameda County Fair “Fun Stage.” Instagram: TerryT_Mr. Community Email: info@youthsportsnation.org
This 1992 photo of great Oakland A’s supporters Louis Burrell, Reggie Jackson, Stanley Burrell (M C Hammer), Rickey Henderson, and two Coliseum Security guards in the background was taken by Oakland Post photographer George L. Livingston.