Decolonize Oakland Proposal – (presented for information w/o endorsement)

Categories: Discussion

Proposal of name change recognition from “Occupy Oakland” to “Decolonize/Liberate Oakland”

Recognizing that Oakland is already “occupied territories” of the Chochenyo Ohlone since time immemorial

We recognize that the “Occupy” movement has shut out the engagement of indigenous activists by using a term that lacks self-awareness of a settler mentality.

The Chochenyo Ohlone people – the
people indigenous to what is now Oakland – and several of their indigenous brothers and sisters throughout the State of California and the United States – have experienced such relentless colonial and imperial efforts that they now have no collective territory of their own. No recognized legal status or rights as indigenous. No means to self-government and self-sufficiency on the lands and in the waters that once sustained them.

The Chochenyo Ohlone people, like so many indigenous peoples in California and the United States, live with the historical and real consequences of a post-colonial, post-imperial stress disorder: displaced, defrauded, targeted, objectified, degraded, depressed.

Genuine solidarity with indigenous peoples assumes a basic understanding of how histories of colonization and imperialism have produced and still produce the legal and economic possibility for Oakland. For San Francisco. For San Jose. For all of the colonies-now-municipalities of the San Francisco bay area, northern California, and the west coast of the United States.

In solidarity we propose to officially change “Occupy Oakland” to “Decolonize/Liberate Oakland”.

7885

39 Responses to “Decolonize Oakland Proposal – (presented for information w/o endorsement)”

  1. a_small_voice

    ^that was from ME. this statement does not represent the facilitation committee in any way. i posted without logging out. i own my snark.

  2. Simcha

    OK, the type of “colonization” that I was taking about below that I find offensive where non-indigenous people appropriate indigenous culture, traditions, and spirituality as if they are somehow “reconstructionists” or “representatives” of indigenous people is illustrated so beautifully by the intention to erect a Teepee as part of the vigil beginning today.

    Apparently I’m not alone in my concern about this trend since some indigenous people on Twitter are expressing their concern and saying that they feel they aren’t being heard.

    That’s what I was talking about when I said I was concerned that the name change would signify yet another appropriation of indigenous struggle, history, tradition, etc.

  3. a_small_voice

    another thing – i said i’d be fine with meeting you and talking with you by chance in a group that would discuss these issues of decolonization and occupation of oakland. as far connecting you with the people who wrote the proposal – you’re gonna have to do your own leg work on that one. i don’t feel warm and fuzzy about helping out. i might help you out some other time when i feel more mellow about it. that’s just real. if you don’t like it, hey…nothing i can do about how you feel.

  4. Simcha

    Geez, I must be getting tired… I don’t know how I read something else into what you wrote. Oh well. Sorry. I guess I misunderstood.

  5. a_small_voice

    have you been to the GAs very often? i don’t know how many you’ve attended, but that is what happens at GAs (booing, talking out of turn, heckling, etc). if you think my comments here are the same as what happens at GA, there’s not a lot i can say for you. i let you know straight up what i thought, and you didn’t like some of what i said. that’s just how it is.

  6. a_small_voice

    “So, unless you feel that nine years of living and working in the community here isn’t enough experience to judge what a “true Oakland Gathering” is then, oh well. I’ve seen different kinds of Oakland Gatherings with crowds of varying compositions. That’s my experience.”——– ok, good. then maybe you do get what i’m saying.

    “I won’t invalidate your experience if you kindly don’t invalidate mine. Thanks.”——– if by asking a question i’ve “invalidated” your experience, that’s pretty interesting that you interpret it that way.

    you asked ME about my idea of a true oakland gathering, and i told you. if you’ve experienced differently, hey, that’s great. you asked me what i thought, and i told you.

  7. Simcha

    I’ve lived here and have been to many gatherings in Oakland. I don’t understand why you feel the need to question that since I’ve talked about that before.

    By the way, I work in the community and have done so for over nine years. I’ve witnessed the demographics of Oakland change slowly over that time.

    When I’ve been to different Oakland gatherings, each one is somewhat different attracting various crowd compositions.

    So, unless you feel that nine years of living and working in the community here isn’t enough experience to judge what a “true Oakland Gathering” is then, oh well. I’ve seen different kinds of Oakland Gatherings with crowds of varying compositions. That’s my experience.

    I won’t invalidate your experience if you kindly don’t invalidate mine. Thanks.

  8. Simcha

    I’ve done nothing but be curious and you seem to have a problem with that. You claim that people get shouted down at GAs and treat others rudely for simply expressing an opinion. Fascinating.

  9. a_small_voice

    true oakland gathering = more people of color, more people diverse in age, more families, more children, diverse in socioeconomic status, etc.

    the current GA and committees are not like this, not diverse. it’s very, very homogenous. it trickles down to everything.

    do you live in oakland and have you ever been in a large gathering here? the feeling is not the same. if you can’t get what i’m saying sorry but you might not be able to feel me. it might go beyond words flattened on a screen. that GA is NOT the typical oakland i know and enjoy.

  10. a_small_voice

    “Um, yeah, my attitude is stank? What, just because I ask a question that someone else had the decency to answer without snark?”——- yep, you nailed it. bravo.

    “I find it interesting that I express an interest to meet you and others to discuss and learn about each other after you suggested it and then you put me off. Nice way to keep dialogue going…”——think nothing of it.

  11. Simcha

    What does a true “Oakland Gathering” look like? Oakland is very diverse in all ways. Why wouldn’t gatherings with any Oaklanders in it be not a “true” “Oakland Gathering.”

    I’m really not trying to be a jerk here. It’s just that many of your statements sound contradictory

  12. Simcha

    Please explain what it means to “decolonize” our movements. Honestly, it’s not obvious what that means. No snark intended. Just want to know what it means for you?

  13. Simcha

    Um, yeah, my attitude is stank? What, just because I ask a question that someone else had the decency to answer without snark?

    I find it interesting that I express an interest to meet you and others to discuss and learn about each other after you suggested it and then you put me off. Nice way to keep dialogue going…

  14. la femme

    We’re not a brand. Changing our name isnt going to affect our sales. think outside of capitalism. Other cities dropped the Occupy name or changed it in response to criticism about its imperialist colonist associations. -(un)occupy, decolonize, liberate… If folks think just changing the name is too much work how are we to hope there is a willingness to move towards the practice of actually decolonizing our movements.

  15. a_small_voice

    “I feel that for an entire movement to claim to represent indigenous folks who aren’t indigenous is perpetuating something that I feel is insidious. It’s another form of “colonization.””——-i disagree. i feel that it addresses the majority of oakland – many of whom are marginalized people of color. i resonate with the statement and i don’t feel “colonized” under it. i feel that a shake up needs to happen in this particular movement because it is not representative of a true oakland gathering. just not at all. the people at GA and in committees are not your typical mix of oakland folk. i also give homage and respect to those who came before me on this land where we now stand, and i am down for a name change for that reason as well. it’s out of respect and recognition of the history of this place.

    reread what you wrote. ” feel that for an entire movement to claim to represent…” yeah, exactly. for an entire movement to claim to represent OAKLAND and to be in this city without any real representation of oaklanders in numbers and in action is truly and sadly a farce. there is a serious problem with that and it needs to be turned on its head.

    “I also have needs and opinions and feelings and desires and they are just as valid as anyone else’s. I’ll thank you in advance for respecting them as I’ll respect yours.”———go ahead and have your opinions. i don’t think i said you couldn’t hold them. just know that folks have their opinions as well and will hold them as strongly as you do yours.

  16. a_small_voice

    “I’d like to get the chance to meet more people and to learn first hand from those who created the petition and have strong feelings about what people write on this page. How would we do that? Is there a way to message each other through this site?”————-there is a way you can message people directly to their email. you’ll have to click around and experiment. try clicking on a person’s name and sending a message. i did it accidentally once. you can get in touch with the petition writers by emailing the facilitation committee and asking them to to give your email address to the petitioners. i would connect you to one of the folks involved, but your attitude is a little stank at the moment, and i don’t feel like extending myself to you that far. if i were to meet you by chance in a discussion group about this proposal or about decolonization, i’d have no problem with that.

  17. a_small_voice

    “Thank you for explaining why you think that the statement above was patronizing. That helps. Simply stating “that’s patronizing” doesn’t help understanding why and how we can adjust our thinking and speech to one another. Thank you.”——– i told you that i wasn’t the only one who saw that it was patronizing. for some of us, things are obvious. for others? not so much.

  18. Simcha

    Thank you for explaining why you think that the statement above was patronizing. That helps. Simply stating “that’s patronizing” doesn’t help understanding why and how we can adjust our thinking and speech to one another. Thank you.

  19. toffee

    These comments, all of these discussion, keeps talking about indigenous people as if they cant actually see this. California has one of the largest ndn populations in the country and there are ndns from over 80 tribes in the bay area. The fact that people within the occupation some how cannot and do not know this about the local native people– plenty of them living right there in Oakland speaks volumes.

    To me, your statement was patronizing because it relies on a stereotype of native people as some kind of magical sources of wisdom, teaching, and caretaking. Native people in the bay have plenty to do taking care of themselves in a community in which even the most progressive people seem to have no problem rendering them invisible.

  20. Simcha

    I would love to sit down and have a discussion with people about the comments on this page and about all of the issues presented here. Unfortunately, I have a raging cold/flu at the present that precludes me from many extra-curricular activities. This forum is a way I can feel like I’m at least part of the conversation at the present. I don’t know how we could set up a future time where we could meet in person to talk. That would be great, actually. I’d like to get the chance to meet more people and to learn first hand from those who created the petition and have strong feelings about what people write on this page. How would we do that? Is there a way to message each other through this site?

  21. Simcha

    I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.

    And by the way. I thought I made it clear that my family and I am personally affected by the “colonization” of this continent too. So, I do believe that I get a voice too. There is a reason why no one in my family will talk about being Native American. The sense of shame is palpable and horrific. Our generation has asked questions about how it got this way and we get no answers from our elders about this in my family. So, I guess we’re left to figure it out for ourselves. But those are my personal issues.

    So, here we go with yet another accusation about someone being patronizing. This time it’s me. Part of me IS indigenous. Get it? I feel that for an entire movement to claim to represent indigenous folks who aren’t indigenous is perpetuating something that I feel is insidious. It’s another form of “colonization.” It’s about people who aren’t indigenous taking customs that aren’t theirs and “owning” them as if they somehow are the new representatives or “restorationists” of indigenous culture, politics, pride, spirituality, etc.

    I genuinely want to know about indigenous Cherokee culture and the struggle that side of my family has had to face. But guess what? Much of it has been lost. And now there are people without indigenous ancestors adopting cultures that aren’t theirs without real understanding of indigenous cultural perspectives. I don’t think that’s respectful.

    Were the Ohlone people the exclusive authors of the petition? If so, that would be nice to know.

    Even if this is so, then some indigenous people here are comfortable with an entire group, whose majority may not have indigenous ancestors, taking on a name that seems to claim that they somehow represent indigenous people. I’m not so comfortable with it.

    I also have needs and opinions and feelings and desires and they are just as valid as anyone else’s. I’ll thank you in advance for respecting them as I’ll respect yours. It’s not as if I get to personally decide on my own whether or not there should be a name change.

    It would be nice if there were a real discussion as to why this name change really helps the indigenous people of Oakland to feel as if they are more included, how this name change would affect unity with other Occupy Movements, how it may change the direction of where the Occupy Oakland movement is going, and how it may change the focus of Occupy Oakland without people accusing others who want to know more about the opinions, needs, beliefs, and lifestyles of others of being patronizing or dismissive.

    Oh, and I’d still like to understand more about why some feel that “Decolonization” is the best way to express the systemic change that needs to happen. I think that would help me and others to understand where all this is coming from. I hope that this request doesn’t sound dismissive or patronizing.

  22. a_small_voice

    this was a private conversation that was had about this webpage and people’s comments on it. if you would like to form a bridge group to discuss this in person, i’m down for it.

  23. a_small_voice

    ” I believe that I don’t know what is the best way to express it.”——- it’s unfair to shoot down an idea and say it isn’t good without any solutions as to what might be better. what would effectively address the problem that some folks have with the word “occupy?” should they just love it or leave it? that’s a rhetorical question.

    ““Decolonization” implies that if we all leave then all of the problems for the Native Peoples would be resolved completely. That is was the word “decolonization” actually means.”——occupation implies that those of us who are here don’t matter to those who want to come in, take the land, and change the rules for themselves. we are at an impasse.

    “No it doesn’t. It means that we are simply here. “—–yes, it does mean you aren’t sharing. it means people are taking – just like 19th and telegraph, and just like the upcoming fruitvale GA. you are taking without getting community buy-in. the ohlone of oakland are in the community and they are not buying in because of the name. there are others of color who are also not buying in because of the name and what it implies.

    “The meaning of the word “Occupy” to some means something quite different due to historical perspective. It still doesn’t change the dictionary definition or what it can mean for the Movement as a whole.”——some guys sat around and kicked around 3 or 4 names and settled on “occupy wall street” arbitrarily without thinking about anything else but what sounds catchy. there are several definitions of “occupy,” that is true. your definition isn’t THE definition. like it or not, it is deeply offensive and hurtful for some of those who live in this area.

    “changing it’s name co-opts Native Peoples’ history and struggle. “——are you accusing the native people who wrote the petition of “co-opting” their own personal struggle as indigenous folks living in oakland responding to this movement? you are the one to tell THEM what a true struggle is for the indigenous? how are you gonna tell them what they feel and what’s valid for them? that’s hella funny. and patronizing. no further comment.

    “Your last comment is simply an attack that I will only acknowledge as a cutting remark to me simply because I disagree with you. “——-i admit, it was snarky, but i meant it to make a point. 19th and telegraph was truly occupied by invaders when people were unwilling to consider the lives of those already in that space. one person at GA said something to the effect of “since when do we ask for permission? we do what the fuck we want.” that’s the entire problem in this particular movement in this particular city.

  24. Simcha

    And where are these other people? I’d like to read these peoples’ comments in order to understand why this request was dismissive and patronizing.

    I still fail to see how asking for education from a group of people could be patronizing and dismissive. This person was expressing a need for eduction. This person wants to listen to this particular group of people and learn from them. If you think it’s dismissive and patronizing then so be it.

  25. a_small_voice

    “Can you please listen to your own advice?”——- sure i can.

    i’m not alone in thinking that the post in question was dismissive and patronizing. you disagree so i’ll leave it there. there are others who agree with me.

  26. Simcha

    “how about listening to what other people need from this movement?”

    Can you please listen to your own advice?

    I think the person who suggested that we need to learn something from our indigenous friends was genuine in asking for a need he or she has to be met. I don’t know what is patronizing or dismissive about acknowledging a need to learn something from others.

  27. Simcha

    This is a principle of the Movement as a whole rather than a sentiment that captures the Movement as a whole. We stand in solidarity with Native Peoples because they are part of the 99%. We want to share more equitably with them simply because it’s the right thing to do. And it’s not the entirety of what this Movement represents. And a name change would change the focus of the Movement to “Decolonization” (whatever that really means).

    “then what IS a way to express it?”
    I am generating discussion because I believe that I don’t know what is the best way to express it. “Decolonization” implies that if we all leave then all of the problems for the Native Peoples would be resolved completely. That is was the word “decolonization” actually means. That is too simple an answer and it won’t work to name it that way in the general sense to most people. It’s confusing. I think what we really mean is that we are standing in solidarity with the Native Peoples because we the 99% want to share equitably with them because they are in the 99% with us and it’s the right thing to do. We want to see the end of the system that continues to oppress the Native Peoples and prevents them from having “ownership” of their own lives and prevents them from having the resources to do it. A name change won’t bring focus to that. It will confuse and divide us.

    “…the name should be changed to include the history and respect the presence of the folks who were here in Oakland first (and are in Oakland today).”
    I disagree. “Decolonization” doesn’t express that at all. It expresses that we should co-opt the history and presence of the folks who were in Oakland first and are still here today. It doesn’t honor them in the way you seem to think it does. Again changing Occupy Oakland’s name is yet another way for some in the Movement to distract us from the main focus of the movement which is demanding that the 1% share the prosperity with the rest of us in the 99%. We should have in our principals, maybe even written somewhere, that the 99% includes all of the Native Peoples and THEIR history as well as THEIR struggle. I believe that a name change co-opts their history and limits the focus of our movement. It isolates Oakland from the rest of the movement.

    “”occupying” is not sharing, it means that you are taking what you want”
    No it doesn’t. It means that we are simply here. We all occupy these lands including the Native Peoples. We all call Oakland home. We all occupy it. Occupy can include the Native Peoples if we let it simply by continuing to invite and welcome their participation as co-equal partners in the Movement as they already are. The meaning of the word “Occupy” to some means something quite different due to historical perspective. It still doesn’t change the dictionary definition or what it can mean for the Movement as a whole.

    Changing the name of Occupy Oakland would do nothing but confuse people and isolate Oakland from the rest of the Movement. It has the danger of limiting the focus of the Occupy Oakland Movement to one specific issue that is poorly named, in my opinion. I don’t think the enormity of what has happened and continues to happen to the Native Peoples can be captured by one word and I think that Occupy Oakland that isn’t specifically a Native Peoples Movement changing it’s name co-opts Native Peoples’ history and struggle. We are the 99%. We are not simply the Native Peoples. We are diverse and we all live here. We are a much bigger movement than what the proposed name change conveys.

    Your last comment is simply an attack that I will only acknowledge as a cutting remark to me simply because I disagree with you. I’ll leave it at that.

  28. a_small_voice

    “What we need from our indigenous friends is to retrain our habits and ways of thinking to one of appreciating the earth instead of appreciating the malls.”————this comes across to me as very patronizing and dismissive. “what we need?” how about listening to what other people need from this movement?

  29. a_small_voice

    “I agree with the sentiment. And I just don’t think that this is a good idea for expressing it.”——— then what IS a way to express it?

    “How would we go about such a thing as “Decolonization” anyway? Would I have to move to the Southeastern United States where my Cherokee ancestors lived before the Trail of Tears? “———the proposal doesn’t say that anyone has to leave. the proposal says that the name should be changed to include the history and respect the presence of the folks who were here in oakland first (and are in oakland today).

    “I think it’s more useful to figure out how we share this land we call home and how all people are treated who live here.”——— how would we do that? “occupying” is not sharing, it means that you are taking what you want – just like you and others “took” 19th and telegraph without thinking about the community that was already there.

  30. Simcha

    I agree with the sentiment. And I just don’t think that this is a good idea for expressing it.

    It’s not like it’s realistic for us to physically leave Oakland or the rest of the States. I’m 1/8 Cherokee I’m a bit more other Native American. I know many who are mixed likewise. How would we go about such a thing as “Decolonization” anyway? Would I have to move to the Southeastern United States where my Cherokee ancestors lived before the Trail of Tears? Or, since most of my ancestors came from other continents, should I try to go to one of the many counties from where my ancestors came?

    I know that perhaps what I’m writing may come across as insensitive or maybe ignorant. So please allow me to make some mistakes here in the interests of discussion.

    None of my ancestors are particularly recent newcomers to this continent. I was born here. I was raised here. My parents and grandparents can say the same. My paternal great parents came from various different countries.

    My maternal grandfather’s father’s side is split. Some of them are Native American. Some of them came from various countries 300 or more years ago. His mother’s side is all Native American.

    I’m sure others here have similar ancestry as mine.

    I’m speaking for myself here. I’ve travelled extensively outside the US and I can say that no other place but here is home. I know most of my ancestors were colonists. And yet I’ve known no other home so I don’t feel I belong anywhere else. I don’t feel at all like a colonist.

    So, I’m not sure if I can get behind the.name “Decolonize.” I agree that Native Peoples are currently facing the direct consequences of many of my Ancestors’ actions and the current injustice of being treated as second or third class citizens in lands that were theirs. I’m just conflicted about the term “Decolonize” it implies a simple solution to a very complex problem or set of problems.

    I feel solidarity with the Native Peoples here. Heck, some of my Ancestors and extended family are Native People. And a great number of my Ancestors aren’t among them.

    I don’t know if there is a simple term to encapsulate the ideas that Native Peoples should have full rights and even “ownership” in lands that were originally theirs. And even “ownership” is complex. Who can really “own” the earth or the land? And we have this legal status called “ownership.”

    How do we address the heinous acts of our ancestors and the heinous system that enshrines the consequences? I think it’s much more complex than simple “Decolonization.”

    These lands are, for better or worse, my home too. I think it’s more useful to figure out how we share this land we call home and how all people are treated who live here.

    And a name change would isolate Oakland from the rest of the movement, in my humble opinion.

  31. Writer

    Sometimes, even if a proposal is properly rejected, it provokes thoughts and conversation that are important. This proposal has channeled important thoughts and discussion,

  32. Urbaned

    Splitting OWS will not help. There is more hope in this movement for indigenous people, elders, veterans, students, children, people of color, etc. than ever before. However, the movement is still a baby. What we need from our indigenous friends is to retrain our habits and ways of thinking to one of appreciating the earth instead of appreciating the malls. Please, continue to reach out to us and show us how to live a truly meaningful life.