Facing Race, conference in Oakland

Sam Cooke's 1963 R/B single "A Change Is Gonna Come" was written during the civil rights movement. In the song Cooke sings, "It's been a longtime coming but I know a change is gonna come". Now 43 years later that change has come with the election of an African American President of the United States Barack Obama. Much work still needs to be done.

At the Facing Race, A National Conference held November 13-15, 2008 at the Oakland Marriott people came together to start the process. In 2004 four years ago at the Race and Public Policy Conference held by The Applied Research Center (ARC) jump started the movement towards racial equity. This years conference keynote speakers, panelist, workshop presenters, vendor booths, volunteers and attendees were filled with knowledge, passion, renewed commitment and solutions, to address the needs of our communities.

On Thursday Nov 13, 2008 opening keynote speaker Sherman Alexie, Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Indian, novelist, poet and screenplay writer ignited the conference with his light of hope and change. Vijou Bryant a student from Brown University located in Providence Rhode Island, USA stated, "Alexie connected his personal experience to the importance of racial injustice work." According to Ellen Rollins a student at San Jose City College and California Director of The National Association of Juneteenth Lineage, Inc and Black Caucus of CalSACC Northern Region Chair stated, "Alexi mesmerized the entire audience telling of his life struggle with racism. Alexie was born on a reservation with a severe disability that was potentially life threatening. Today he is an over comer. Alexie's natural comfort and delivery of health Care issues for people of color validated through his presence and his story telling of healthcare for him and public vs. reservation education". His presentation opened people's hearts and souls to listen a little closer as he spoke openly and honestly. Change is in the air and change must be policy change for human & world benefit healthy sustainable life styles and communities."

The conference carried a message of change. Speakers spoke with a sincere urgency for Americans to be a part of the solution process. On Saturday, panelist John H. Jackson, President and CEO of the Schott Foundation for Public Education spoke with a fire coming from his belly regarding educational concerns. According to Jackson, "We must change the way we talk about education. Everyone needs access. The work starts at the local level". Jackson spoke about the need to know what policies are being made on our behalf that will be devastating. He told attendees that their voice must be at the table and their needs to be a progressive response joining as a union". Jackson also spoke about starting letter writing campaigns at the local level as a way to become involved.

Tammy Johnson, Director of Strategic Partnerships with Applied Research Center (ARC) and organizers for the event addressed the audience with a message to get involved. Johnson spoke about the Compact for Racial Justice, "Is a proactive agenda for fairness and unity in our communities, politics, the economy and the law." To learn more about the compact and support its cause log onto www.arc.org. Laney Tower interviewed Johnson asking her why we should get involved now? Johnson stated, "Because the road to justice starts with one step. And if we are to achieve racial justice for all of us we must make a move now. Not tomorrow or some other day. We as people of color have achieved so much and have so much more to gain. We can do this, but we must act now."

The Laney Tower spoke with Rinku Sen, President and Executive Director of (ARC). She is the co-author of The Accidental American "Which talks about American Discrimination and US immigration Policy". Sen is the publisher of ColorLines Magazine. The Laney Tower asked Sen 'Why are we doing this now?' Sen responded, "We do this because it is the best way to make change that is positive for everybody. We know that big change is entirely possible. Doing work with the purpose of bringing people together has been most rewarding for my soul and you can make a living change."

Attendees of the conference viewed it as life changing. Helynna Brooke, Executive Director with the Mental Health Board with the City and County of San Francisco stated, "The information here today may not be new for people of color and not new information for African Americans but for a white person I have learned more just by being here." Rey Leon, Executive Director and Co-Founder CVQA Coalition works with youths and the Latino Environmental Advancement & Policy stated, "La Lucha de Afuera Requiere Victoria Adentro, the struggle on the outside requires victory on the inside." San Francisco City College student government Senator Patricia Henderson-Hoskins stated, "I see the change coming and we as a community we need to work together to make change to really happen for our community and the future community."

Conference attendees left with a renewed vision and clear directions on how to join the growing grassroots movement. To get involved and learn more about the Applied Research Center (ARC), view the compact for Racial Justice sign the petition or view video clips of the conference log onto www.arc.org and visit www.colorlines.com. ARC is an Oakland base organization located at 900 Alice Street, Suite 400, Oakland Ca. (510) 653-3415 phone or fax (510) 986-1062.