j.m. gonzalez
Untitled (Oakland Mourns Ghost Ship set), Oakland CA, Winter 2016.
A note on the fragility of life:
I grew up in South Central L.A. and have become a full blown adult in Oakland. I have navigated my life in the midst migra chases and raids, the war against drugs (AKA the pathological policing against communities of color), Blood and Crip battles, battles between 18th St vs. 38th St, HOB vs. C14, sometimes getting close to becoming a victim of the collateral damage of these wars. Coming of age in these environments makes one no stranger to death and violence.
I have been trying to understand the nature of these two forces, which have been ever present not just in my personal history, but in the collective history of those hit hard by modern power structures. It often frustrates me to know the nature of things and understand that without fundamental structural change, things are set up to not just to stay that same, but little by little the situation will kill off the undesirables.
The last two First Friday's have been tragic in Oakland. During November's first Friday, 8 people were shot in 2 separate incidents no farther than 100 yards from each other in Downtown Oakland. The collateral damage of personal beefs is mind blowing. That no one was reported dead is kinda miraculous. This past Friday, as it has been reported, about 25-30 people are feared dead in the aftermath of the warehouse fire in Oakland. Many of the victims were attending a record release party at the location. Contrary to what many may think of who attends raves, there was a diverse set of people that met their demise on Friday. A cross section of Oakland and the world happened to be there. I know people who were there and luckily made it home that night.
There is much to say about personal accountability in these incidents. However, it must not be missed that the system is fundamentally failing folks thus we see these kinds of tragedies occurring so often. In the case of the shootings, one must ask how and why the proliferation of guns is so rampant. The national media doesn't help when it only mourns incidents of gun violence that affects middle class whites. This isn't just a "hood problem." Furthermore, Friday's incident is a result of the squeeze being felt by the artist community in Oakland and a bureaucracy's inability to be proactive in negotiating this squeeze.
It's been a sad weekend and even sadder at the prospect of knowing more of our friends might have fallen victim to the fire. I send my condolences to all the affected families and encourage them to find solace in the community that is in pain with them.
One Love,
JMG
Untitled (Oakland Mourns Ghost Ship set), Oakland CA, Winter 2016.
A note on the fragility of life:
I grew up in South Central L.A. and have become a full blown adult in Oakland. I have navigated my life in the midst migra chases and raids, the war against drugs (AKA the pathological policing against communities of color), Blood and Crip battles, battles between 18th St vs. 38th St, HOB vs. C14, sometimes getting close to becoming a victim of the collateral damage of these wars. Coming of age in these environments makes one no stranger to death and violence.
I have been trying to understand the nature of these two forces, which have been ever present not just in my personal history, but in the collective history of those hit hard by modern power structures. It often frustrates me to know the nature of things and understand that without fundamental structural change, things are set up to not just to stay that same, but little by little the situation will kill off the undesirables.
The last two First Friday's have been tragic in Oakland. During November's first Friday, 8 people were shot in 2 separate incidents no farther than 100 yards from each other in Downtown Oakland. The collateral damage of personal beefs is mind blowing. That no one was reported dead is kinda miraculous. This past Friday, as it has been reported, about 25-30 people are feared dead in the aftermath of the warehouse fire in Oakland. Many of the victims were attending a record release party at the location. Contrary to what many may think of who attends raves, there was a diverse set of people that met their demise on Friday. A cross section of Oakland and the world happened to be there. I know people who were there and luckily made it home that night.
There is much to say about personal accountability in these incidents. However, it must not be missed that the system is fundamentally failing folks thus we see these kinds of tragedies occurring so often. In the case of the shootings, one must ask how and why the proliferation of guns is so rampant. The national media doesn't help when it only mourns incidents of gun violence that affects middle class whites. This isn't just a "hood problem." Furthermore, Friday's incident is a result of the squeeze being felt by the artist community in Oakland and a bureaucracy's inability to be proactive in negotiating this squeeze.
It's been a sad weekend and even sadder at the prospect of knowing more of our friends might have fallen victim to the fire. I send my condolences to all the affected families and encourage them to find solace in the community that is in pain with them.
One Love,
JMG