I have to write with more than the usual amusement regarding the postings I've seen on the recently-held "Oakland Blogger Get Together " because this blog you're reading is the only one that's updated daily, gets more traffic than the others, and doesn't ignore parts of Oakland, and has the only writer who actually worked in Oakland politics -- me.
So, as they do, they formed their own meeting -- an entire "White's only" gathering. That's sad. Perhaps I'll host my own gathering, but it will be of a different kind to be sute. First, racially mixed. Second, reflective of those who are at the cutting edge of New Media in Oakland, and that's beyond the small group of bloggers that got together.
As I said to Paul Cobb , there's a "White Blogger group" and true to form, these folks proved it. And its not as if they don't know who I am; they do and could have invited me. In fact, that's the problem: they recognize me in a room, but I've got no idea what those folks look like at all. I'm serious. That's what happens when you're on television and YouTube. But more to the point, the first time I realized this was during the primary election at Sean Sullivan's party. But I don't want to get off the track here.
The old Oakland way is not apparent with them. Of course, someone will say "We voted for Obama!" But that's not the point. Many of them are new to Oakland and thus don't reflect the true soul of the city. Diversity is not important to them -- being around people who look and think like they do is.
Between the low number of African American bloggers, perhaps two and definitely this one, and the self-segregation practiced by the "Oakland White bloggers", it's a sad future for a great city.
So, as they do, they formed their own meeting -- an entire "White's only" gathering. That's sad. Perhaps I'll host my own gathering, but it will be of a different kind to be sute. First, racially mixed. Second, reflective of those who are at the cutting edge of New Media in Oakland, and that's beyond the small group of bloggers that got together.
As I said to Paul Cobb , there's a "White Blogger group" and true to form, these folks proved it. And its not as if they don't know who I am; they do and could have invited me. In fact, that's the problem: they recognize me in a room, but I've got no idea what those folks look like at all. I'm serious. That's what happens when you're on television and YouTube. But more to the point, the first time I realized this was during the primary election at Sean Sullivan's party. But I don't want to get off the track here.
The old Oakland way is not apparent with them. Of course, someone will say "We voted for Obama!" But that's not the point. Many of them are new to Oakland and thus don't reflect the true soul of the city. Diversity is not important to them -- being around people who look and think like they do is.
Between the low number of African American bloggers, perhaps two and definitely this one, and the self-segregation practiced by the "Oakland White bloggers", it's a sad future for a great city.
Comments
Sure, I could have hunted down your information somehow, but honestly, why would I have gone to such trouble when just a couple weeks ago you essentially called me and the rest of the Oakland bloggers racist.
To assume we are a "whites only club" is both offensive and naive. In fact, the approximately 35 people who attended the blogger party were a diverse crowd. And not just racially diverse - if you followed the posts and comments on the dozens of Oakland blogs, you'd see that there is a tremendous variety of interests and opinions, and bloggers often disagree on substantive issues. Like here, here, and here.
Zennie - if you want to be part of the Oakland blogger community, then start participating. But please stop assuming and accusing people when it's clear you have little idea of who we really are - a group of dedicated Oaklanders dedicated to making the city we love a better place.
I can say it's the other way around. Again, refer to my blog. You all know who I am and what I look like, much more so than I you. So I can certainly ask the question.
I used the term "Whites Only" because of my concern that there's a lack of desire to have a diverse group of bloggers and so what's done is out of a kind of habit.
I'm not going to jump into what you seem to think is "your group" of people who then define "Oakland Bloggers" -- as long as its that like-minded group, I'll disagree.
I am not hard at all to find, especially since I've been on CNN, CNN.com, Headline News, and the list goes on.
You mention zero-- nothing -- of a desire to have a diverse group, so I'll go on my own. That note confirmed much for me.