Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/community-opinions-on-safety/)
During a lifetime of living among streets, highways and buildings named for (mostly) dead fellow Americans, I rarely stopped to consider their deeds or misdeeds. Now all over the country, that’s happening, so I’ve revisited my most notable, as well as my college mascot who was, well, incorrect. Politically? Maybe.
On June 5th, a group of high school seniors, myself included, organized a protest on what would have been the last day of high school. Inviting Orange County Human Relations to teach de-escalation techniques, contacting the police to ensure our safety amidst gun threats, and encouraging Black students to speak about their experiences, we took initiative to provide a safe and productive environment for students to voice their opinions, and we did so peacefully.
John Wayne’s white supremacist views came to light again when a 1971 interview he did with Playboy magazine went viral in early 2019. As symbols of racial intolerance are taken down across the country, the time has come to rename our airport and remove Wayne’s statue. The actor does not represent our diverse, cosmopolitan community.
Orange County is celebrating Supreme Court, state legislative and local school district victories for Black lives, LGBTQ lives, immigrants and public health. DNC Member-Elect and Democratic Party of Orange County Chair Ada Briceño says these victories are crucial, but we’re far from done.
America has a poor understanding of its history, and this has perpetuated tacit racism against African Americans. To heal and become a greater republic, America finally must have truth and reconciliation.
Find the quietest corner of your room, of your heart, and grieve. Howl if you must. Then listen. Listen to Black voices and believe them when they say they struggle to stay alive. Every. Single. Day. Then stand up with them and for them, but not instead of them…
Irvine’s thriving business community seeks the best talent and looks across demographics to find it. Irvine’s top companies take pride in making the LGBTQ community feel welcome and protected.
Taking action in response to the tragic murder of George Floyd and ongoing police brutality, the Democratic Party of Orange County announces it will convene a special meeting of the Central Committee to enact reforms that place racial justice at the forefront of local lawmaking.
More jail beds added to James A. Musick Facility in Irvine, CA will not solve the mental health crisis that currently plagues the Orange County Jails system.
The government uses fear-mongering to advance mass incarceration even with the Covid-19 pandemic. This writer seeks to quell the hate flowing from some fear-mongering by providing an inside perspective, based on his personal experience, on how the pandemic threatens the incarcerated, and by transmission to staff, the entire community.