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Oakland Neighborhood Project

6Jun

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A Photo Project To Bring Out Oakland’s Voice

Steve Texeria is a photographer with Oakland roots, who has set off to bring a different kind of attention to Oakland, an attention only natives, and people who know her can. With his camera, he is inspired to share a thousand words with one image, and another.

I was one of his latest participants, and though I grew up in the Allendale district, in 1994 I moved away from the Bay Area for school, and for love, and Oakland has re-opened her arms to me after those two had ended. Since my return in 2003, the Golden Gate district has claimed me as her own. And, this is where Steve and I meet. I read and article in the SF Chronicle one Sunday morning, while having coffee, and decided to find him on Facebook. I wanted to be a part of his project, his documentation of my city, our city, and his vision, which I share; to give Oakland back her name, reputation, and smile.

It is all too often that I hear the negatives of what Oakland has to offer, even from those San Franciscans who have come to her because of cheaper housing, and access to more space, but she isn’t all bad. Nothing truly is all bad or good, but what is more commonly spoken of Oakland, or, at least, has lingered since the days of the War on Drugs, is what is remembered.

I, in no way, am saying that Oakland doesn’t have its horrors, traumas, blues, and unbelievable stories, she does, AND… And, Oakland has a great deal more too. Steve Texeria is on a journey to share the other side, the kindred heart of Oakland, not just to Oaklanders, but to the world. I am grateful to be a part of his journey.

Steve Texeria’s Oakland Neighborhood Project:

“The Oakland Neighborhood Project is designed to let the people in Oakland’s neighborhoods tell their stories in their own words. Over a period of 12-18 months, I will identify and photograph one person, family, or group in each of Oakland’s neighborhoods. Each photo session will take place in that person’s neighborhood and will feature that person or persons holding a sign with their message to the rest of the world written on it.”

_R7A3146<–Photo by Steve Texeira, 2014

Steve says, “I am actively recruiting for this project! So, if you are interested, if you want to represent your neighborhood, if you feel you have something to say that might improve people’s understanding of what and who Oakland truly is, let me know! But don’t wait, there are only so many neighborhoods to go around.”

For more information about Steve Texeria’s Oakland Neighborhood Project, go here:  http://onep.squarespace.com/