Skip to main content

Easy Lounge Owner Calls - Took Care Of Situation - Thanks From OaklandFocus

Last week, I had the pleasure of talking to the owner of Easy Lounge on Lakeshore and where I had the very unpleasant encounter which I openly attributed to racism.

Without going into detail about the conversation, I can happily report that the matter was taken care of. But there's one thing I have to adress, as the owner asked me "Why did you assume racism?"

My answer was long and heartfelt. I explained that first his employee's treatment of me was exclusive to me -- not anyone else -- and I'd just arrived. Second, we'd never met before. Third, it was dismissive. Fourth, racism is a form of rejection and given that I had no other personal reference point with him, and a lot of experience with racist episodes that were similar in profile, I felt justified in my conclusion.

He understood.

I think Kolin, who owns Easy, is a good person who's trying to have an estatablishment that's a positive part of the Lake Merritt and Oakland experience. Also, it turns out that his bar staff is more diverse than I knew, since I'm not a regular. There's a female bartender that works Monday night.

As for racism, and to those who make complain of me or anyone else pointing it out, I think it's best to really do some "ugly" research on what racism is in modern 21st Century America. It's not always overt and in one's face. More often it's not.

Carmen Van Kerckhove is one who understands this, and has built a business around it. And, no, she's not Black, as you can see; she's Asian. Her New York-based company is based around a website called Newdemographic.com

If some of you out there think I'm terrible for adressing and pointing out problems in Oakland that seem to be race-based, you'll think Carmen's the devil. But she's not. See this video about Carmen's commentary on race and society:



In this video, Carmen talks about how to see racism in popular culture today:



Here, Carmen talks about racism and Interracial dating, and notes that racism is all around us and so much so that we can't see it. This video must be seen:



Also, Carmen has a terrific blog called "Racialicious" and is excellent at pointing out bias problems in our society, like the recent Arby's commericial that was blasted by Irish groups.

I could go on and on, but visit Carmen's site and look around. But one idea she expresses is one that should be agreed upon by all:

"We go beyond the concerns of the specific community to which we belong and recognize that when one group is discriminated against, it is an affront to us all. "

Comments

Carmen Sognonvi said…
Zennie, thanks so much for your kind words about my work! I'm glad you found the videos valuable.

Popular posts from this blog

Alex Castro, Electronic Arts VP, Is Oakland’s “Fake Joe Tuman”, “Crocker Mom”

Alex Castro, is currently Vice President Of Product Management At Electronic Arts, and a fairly-well-known and legendary tech executive, regularly quoted in a number of industry publications. But Alex Castro’s also an Oakland resident who has the terrible habit of going online, making traceble email accounts from his Electronic Arts office, and posing as someone […] from WordPress http://ift.tt/1fVkWP9 via IFTTT

Interview: Imani, Chef Owner of Roasted and Raw RoastedRaw.com, For Oakland Restaurant Week 2023

Interview: Imani, Chef Owner of Roasted and Raw RoastedRaw.com, For Oakland Restaurant Week 2023 Interview: Imani, Chef Owner of Roasted and Raw RoastedRaw.com, For Oakland Restaurant Week 2023. Imani Greer gets a highlight in The Oakland Post: Chef Imani Greer, a culinary entrepreneur, has created quite a stir — and menu — for the Bay Area’s vegan-loving community with the opening of his new Roasted and Raw (R&R) restaurant near Oakland’s Jack London Square. I am proud to welcome him to Zennie62Media for Oakland Restaurant Week 2023. Stay tuned. via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvMqVWLAH4

Event: Jog For Jill San Francisco Run September 12th Golden Gate Park

Cal Women's Rowing Team member Jill Costello passed away from complications due to lung cancer on June 24th 2010 and at the age of 21. A San Francisco event and run called Jog For Jill has been established and will be held this Sunday, September 12th at 5 PM. Two members of the Cal Women's Crew team were at the Cal vs. Davis football game wearing Jog For Jill shirts, and were kind enough to provide the video interview above. Below are the other details from the event website, where you're encouraged to pre-register here CLICK FOR SITE : Pre-Registration: Online/$25 Day of Registration: 4:00 p.m./$30 Shotgun Start: 5:00 p.m. After run/walk celebration: 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Event Location: Golden Gate Park Music Concourse Bandshell S Tea Garden Drive San Francisco, California 94118 Participants are encouraged to pre-register. Only pre-registered participants will be guaranteed a walk/run T-shirt. T-shirts will be limited to the first 2500 day of regis