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My first holiday free, alone, and away from my prison family

By Jonathan Chiu on January 12, 2021

This year, I’m spending my first Christmas in 16 years as a free man, but because of the pandemic, I am again separated from my family. I feel the same loneliness I felt inside, but it’s by choice.

The final days of Jerkle, the wild turkey of the Berkeley hills

By Ace Backwords on December 2, 2020

Commentary First-person Opinion

I had a poignant moment at my campsite this morning. Involving those goddamn wild turkeys, believe it or not. My hated enemies. But as much of a nemesis and a pain in the ass they can be, I realized there was a bond there.

How the climate emergency exacerbates homelessness

November 3, 2020

Commentary Opinion

The increasing influx of natural disasters is more than a warning of the impending climate crisis. Homeless people will suffer first.

The five steps to becoming homeless: this could be you

By Timothy Busby on November 3, 2020

Commentary Features Opinion YSA youth contributions

With evictions notices becoming legal once again, tens of thousands of Americans who once believed that they would never become unsheltered are going to experience homelessness firsthand.

House keys not sweeps: A campaign for dignity and respect

By The Western Regional Advocacy Project on November 3, 2020

Commentary Opinion

“Sweep” is a euphemism for “kicking someone’s ass.” To those who are fortunate enough to be unfamiliar with sweeps, the word may sound gentle, but it’s eradication, displacement, and eviction through physical force.

People living with mental illness are not represented in politics

By Jack Bragen on November 3, 2020

Commentary Opinion YSA youth contributions

As an adult with mental illness and progressive values, my primary focus is not on national politics or getting Trump out of office. My main concern is about the treatment of people who live with mental illness and our lack of opportunities to better our conditions.

Waking up outside under an orange sky

By Alastair Boone on October 1, 2020

Commentary Opinion

While he specter of climate change has already arrived for people who live outside, they also have far more pressing daily needs created by the conditions of their lives.

Protestors demand ‘housing not barricades’ after UC Hastings settlement

By Jiffy Phan on September 1, 2020

Commentary Opinion

Community organizations such as House the Bay, Gay Shame, Coalition on Homelessness, Senior and Disability Action, Do No Harm Coalition, Every 28 Foundation, and more joined together for the march and rally to decry the settlement between UC Hastings and the City of San Francisco, which promises to remove all tents in the area with no offer of housing.

Late night on the Berkeley campus in the time of COVID-19

By Ace Backwords on September 1, 2020

First-person Opinion

When the Berkeley campus first went into lockdown, it was great for me. Because I had the whole campus to myself. But gradually, more and more people realized there was this big expanse of unoccupied green space right in the middle of the city. So more and more people are hanging out here every day.

A strange young woman appears on the Arcata street scene

By Ace Backwords on September 1, 2020

First-person Opinion

The street scene is like watching a movie. Except you only get the middle act of the movie. You don’t get the first act or the third act. You don’t know their life story—what led up to them being the people that they are. And you almost never find out how their lives turned out.

We were locked in our rooms due to COVID-19

By Gary Child on September 1, 2020

First-person Opinion

We were locked in our rooms due to COVID-19 but allowed to use the restroom with, at times, 10 to 15 inmates. We line up for meds four times a day at least 10 to 20 deep. If you ask the correctional officer (CO) to wear gloves, they’ll refuse your meds.

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