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Everyone deserves to shelter in place, including homeless people

By TJ Johnston on May 22, 2020

First-person Opinion YSA youth contributions

“Sheltering in place” is a privilege that over 9,000 unhoused San Franciscans do not enjoy. Yet, shelters are congregate environments where people sleep barely more than two feet away from one another, head to foot or top to bottom in bunks.

Lost mothers

By Mavin Carter-Griffin on May 12, 2020

First-person Opinion

An ode to those celebrating Mother's Day on the street.

The pandemic resembles one of my psychotic episodes

By Jack Bragen on April 1, 2020

First-person Opinion YSA youth contributions

The current pandemic makes it seem as though the world has gone insane. This time, I'm not crazy, but neither are other people. Reality has taken a surreal turn.

The day I lost my campsite

By Ace Backwords on March 1, 2020

First-person Opinion

Everything is in a state of chaos and complete upheaval at my campsite in the Berkeley hills. They’re doing a

Life is all a pose

By Ace Backwords on February 1, 2020

First-person Opinion

Life is all a pose in a way. And I don’t mean that in a fake way. We all have

We must take matters into our own hands

By Tracy Lee on February 1, 2020

Arts and Culture First-person Opinion YSA youth contributions

Oakland is a city of so many races and cultures. Different, diverse, and from so many kinds of backgrounds. But one thing that unites us is the caring and loving people we are. No matter how hard the struggle may be, we always take care of each other. We are all in the same boat—struggling to live. We take matters into our own hands to get through life.

Democracy for some, inhumanity for many

By Tracy Lee on December 1, 2019

First-person Opinion YSA youth contributions

This country preaches love and commitment to Democracy. But government officials and staff send government workers to come and demolish our houses and curbside communities. Officials cry, “Democracy!” But decisions hit us like the bombs the United States uses to destroy homes and communities in other countries.

Rainstorm ritual: checking my secret stash spots

By Ace Backwords on December 1, 2019

First-person Opinion

One of my post-rainstorm rituals is, I go around to all my stash spots to make sure all my stuff

Hating the holidays

By Timothy Busby on December 1, 2019

First-person Opinion

After a series of horrific events I found myself living on the streets at the age of 49, and Christmas suddenly took on a whole new meaning

Remembering Michael Diehl

By Lydia Gans on November 1, 2019

First-person Opinion YSA youth contributions

For over 40 years Michael Diehl was a presence in Berkeley, on the streets and the parks, connecting with people, talking, listening, or just being present. Many were homeless or inadequately housed.

Paralyzed: the demons that prey on the homeless

By Andy Pope on October 1, 2019

First-person Opinion

When one is homeless, one is by definition exposed to all kinds of elements that escape the confines of one

The oracle in the tent next door

By Timothy Busby on October 1, 2019

First-person Opinion

I would like to share my experiences with one of the most fascinating people I have ever met. For the purposes of this story, I will call her Emerald. And if you believe in the powers that gemstones and crystals contain, her name is very appropriate.

First-person

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