News"We Want Decent Shelter Fit For Human Beings" BPPThe conditions for poor Black African people and other oppressed peoples of color in America is deplorable, particularly in the area of affordable housing. In the 1960's and 1970's, the Black Panther Party courageously organized for change, creating community programs to address the social and political needs of struggling Black African people. The 10 Point platform outlined the demands of the Party. Among the demands was point number 4, which stated, "We want descent housing fit for shelter of human beings." The homelessness and displaced community crisis has reached a boiling point in Oakland California.
READ MORE>>www.refa1.com/blog/we-want-decent-shelter-fit-for-human-beings- https://www.gofundme.com/f/blackpanthermural We Want A Mural for Our Times:
We want decent housing, fit for shelter of human beings. Recently, a couple of Black journalists have commented on social media about a new mural at the corner of San Pablo Ave and Castro Street in Oakland depicting Tom Hanks and Too Short. For those that aren’t Oakland natives or haven’t been in the Town long this might seem like a tribute to Oakland diversity and two of its most famous native sons. However, that would be skipping over the complexity of the politics that privileges white artists to express their versions of culture and history on the valuable visual real estate of Black Oakland’s community walls.
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Making a Mark on Campbell Street
By Ryan Lindsay Posted December 9, 2016 4:03 pmLocal artist Refa One is working to complete a sprawling mural on Campbell Street in West Oakland. A former grocery store and pizza spot turned community center is getting a fresh look thanks to the work of Refa One, a community artist. Refa started painting the sprawling seven-panel mural in October and hopes to finish by the end of the year. The mural, located in West Oakland’s Lower Bottoms neighborhood, includes a mix of African and African-American imagery, symbolism and cityscapes, from Timbuktu to Oakland. Refa has been painting murals in Oakland for over 15 years. Click on the button on the right to hear Refa and Batsh, a French artist, discuss the elements of the mural. CLICK here for hear full interview |