LIving in Oakland

I live in North Oakland, west of the freeway (Grove-Shafter) the construction of which through the 60s & 70s devastated this once working/middle class community. The area still has not economically and otherwise recovered from consequent crime, racism and poverty.

Many community groups work to keep the plight of our community before civic leaders. Leaders have responded and God knows that affecting economic change in impoverished urban areas is a challenge. But sometimes one has to wonder if efforts are truly a full court press? or simply tossing a few bones over the MacArthur Maze, into No Man's Land?

Pet Peeve: Macarthur Motels. 10 or so motels within 3 blocks is surely an over saturation of the market in an area with no tourism or business travel. So what sort of clientel is supporting the motels ? Some say homeless families depend upon the motels for "shelter". Is it ethical to expose homeless children to guns, drugs and prostitution?

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