Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism

“Oakland, West”

Produced by: Tasion Kwamilele

         After World War II, many blacks from the south migrated to Oakland to work in the shipyards; housing discrimination forced blacks to move to West Oakland. But when those jobs died out many Blacks moved from West Oakland and the area became deserted and filled with crime, drugs, violence, and poverty.

        The 7.0 Loma Prueta Earthquake, also known as the World Series Quake of 1989, shook the Bay Area to its core, killing 42 people and leaving nearly 12,000 people homeless. However, this tragic event forced city officials to give their attention to the deserted area.

        Road improvements. Arts programs. Bike shops. Café’s. Community gardens. Restaurants. Police presence. Gentrification is slowly bringing economic upswing back to West Oakland. This projects looks into the change while analyzing how natives of the area are fitting into the change. 

Source List:

INTERVIEWS

Bruce Beasley, American Sculptor

Paul Fields, Retired FEMA Regional Supervisor

Nancy Nadel, Former Oakland City Council Member

John Evanofski, New West Oakland Resident

Franchize, Oakland Rapper

B-ROLL FOOTAGE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

"Archive Photos of Lower West Oakland" Courtesy of Bruce Beasley. October 2012.

Archive Photos of the Black Panther Party". Courtesy of Billy X and "ItsAboutTimeBPP.org".

Bay Area Shipyard Photos. http://www.sanpedro.com/Kaiser_Richmond/Kaiser-Richmond_4.htm

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) archive photos. http://studentantiwar.blogs.brynmawr.edu/stories-from-the-frontlines/frountline-in-usa/movements-that-inspire-us-berkeley-free-speech/Students for a Democratic Photos. 

"William Buckley Interviews Huey Newton."Firing Line Talk  Show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ypqCYPduI 

"I-800 Viaduct Construction ( pt 2 of 5)" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfyZqkiGAdA

"Our City". 1954. Oakland Junior Chamber of Commerce. California Division of Highways. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGuWAtYqHuY

"Cypress Freeway Collapse". 1989. Channell 7-ABC Footage. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI-Gbg9sDrg