I had no business moving to North Oakland, right on the edge of South Berkeley. I didnt know anyone there, I went to Oakland one time with friends years before that and a cop tried to give me a jay walking ticket, then wanted to arrest me, so I had learned to stay away.
But I just knew that everything that had inspired me, from a time I was young, from Malcolm X or the Black Panther Party and even today, people like US Congress Representative Barbara Lee and the roots of hip hop which had loudly and yet quietly taken the world over, all had their roots there, this is where I needed to be, so luckily I landed an apartment on the corner of Ashby and Shattuck, right to next to the Ashby Bart station where they have the artistic version of a flea market, or a farmers market every Saturday.
It was a small studio crammed with my yellow leather sofas, furniture and a bunch recording and music al gadgets of all kinds, for the next few years, this is the area I would call home, where I met some of the most talented under appreciated, delightful people that became a staple in my foundation as an adult.
Every person I met was a scholar, entrepreneur, photographer, actor, musician, artist, or otherwise, not just talking about it, but doing it, daily, with weekend shows or presentations of their talents; let it be, some big and some small, but about it. When you live in this type of an atmosphere with the this type of energy, you cant help but to be inspired. Honestly, it wasnt a place in Oakland I didnt find acceptance, there was some rough moments, some tense moments, but I also dont want it if its that easy !
I learned some hard lessons too, but my memories and the ever lasting love, friendship and influence of the people that came into my life fulfilled the exact magnetism that drew me to the historic Oakland Berkeley area, which is one of the most eclectic intellectually and politically smart and driven places in the world.
From its small independent movie theatres, where I firs
t saw the 'Motorcycle Diaries' which became my next inspiration, to the vast tastes of world cultures and cuisines to the everyday connection to elevated people made my years in the East Bay my most appreciated and most fundamental to my understanding of the world as it stands and where its going.
There is no short cuts, whether you see it in your time or you leave it to the next generation, the work which has to be done is vast and needs patients and a soldiers mentality, a day in day out grind, sacrifice, hard work, and maneuverability of the mind that will allow you to keep focus one day at a time, with a vision and concentration on pure personal and community growth.
No outside force can touch a united, smart and productive self or group.