Sometimes when I run through my city of Oakland, CA (and the elite enclave of Piedmont wholly surrounded by it), my mind wanders and I get to wondering what the ranking would be of the most destructive forces in Oakland's history. There are many. But it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the choices made by many, many White parents in t…
Sometimes when I run through my city of Oakland, CA (and the elite enclave of Piedmont wholly surrounded by it), my mind wanders and I get to wondering what the ranking would be of the most destructive forces in Oakland's history. There are many. But it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the choices made by many, many White parents in their kids' best interests through the decades to be easily in the top 5 — choices that I can sit back and judge as a childless person and not have to grapple with. As I lose new-parent friends to Denver and Salt Lake and other places that aren't here, it seems impossible to balance what's good for kids with what's good for the world. I'm very thankful that some parents are trying.
It feels very lonely to balance those two things, especially when there are big honking historical and physical reminders around us that for decades privileged parents... didn't... and still don't. Piedmont is an absolute perfect example (as our so many places' versions of Piedmont).
Sometimes when I run through my city of Oakland, CA (and the elite enclave of Piedmont wholly surrounded by it), my mind wanders and I get to wondering what the ranking would be of the most destructive forces in Oakland's history. There are many. But it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the choices made by many, many White parents in their kids' best interests through the decades to be easily in the top 5 — choices that I can sit back and judge as a childless person and not have to grapple with. As I lose new-parent friends to Denver and Salt Lake and other places that aren't here, it seems impossible to balance what's good for kids with what's good for the world. I'm very thankful that some parents are trying.
It feels very lonely to balance those two things, especially when there are big honking historical and physical reminders around us that for decades privileged parents... didn't... and still don't. Piedmont is an absolute perfect example (as our so many places' versions of Piedmont).
Sending you solidarity fellow Oakland resident. It's a heartbreak and a joy to live here.