Ashley, what you’re focusing on is very interesting and a very important topic, I didn’t know that stopping gentrification was that important to you.

Dear Ashley, you post, “Oakland’s Downfall” is really interesting. Your writing is intriguing. And now that I realized it, gentrification is removing the culture that is in Oakland. A sentence from your post, reads “Oaklanders are the root of the culture” and I completely agree with this. The fact that high rent is the reason why POC leave their homes just proves that Oakland is obviously doing nothing! Which leads to us to fix this issue. But how? How will we stop gentrification? You’ve listed all the problems, but what are the solutions? Another problem that strikes Oakland is racism. Oakland is one of the most cultural cities in the bay area (in my opinion) but oppression still surrounds the place. In an article named “We’re being pushed out’: the displacement of black Oakland” by Sam Levin, he talks about when police were being called for black people doing a barbecue. The article reads, “While African Americans in Oakland have been steadily displaced by gentrification, others who remain are treated like criminals in their own hometown.” (Levin). Gentrification is affecting TONS of African Americans which results to them leaving. While the other AA receive discrimantion and racism in the homes they own. They are LITERALLY getting disrespected at the town AA been leaving for more than a decade. While people who are just arriving to Oakland and getting to know the city, have the audacity to oppressed the ones that are more knowledgeable than they are. Thank you Ashley for this great piece of writing. This topic has open new perspectives. I look forward to seeing more of your work, Ashely!

Dear Ashley I think your post was very good and interesting because it talked about how people are getting pushed out of Oakland due to high rent, you also talked about how more white people are moving into the neighborhood which you later stated that was gentrification. A line that stood out to me was “If there’s more construction, more of the rent is getting raised up which is making the people who used to live there move away because they can’t afford to pay their rent.” That line stood out to me because it connects to all of your evidence and your claim. Thanks for writing and keep it up.

Hi, I’m a student from San Jose State first if all I just want to say I like how you decorated your shadow box using objects that represent your culture that indicated that you are really appreciative. Second of all I like how you mention three type of identies how they impact you as a person your third identity of being a younger sister caught my attention the most for the reason you are trying strive away from it.

Dear ashley I like how you decorated the shadow box by using things that represent you and by how you say your identity that is being guatemalan and proud.

Hi, I am a student from San Jose State University and I just want to start by saying your shadow box is beautiful and interesting. I like you included the female sex symbol, small pots, and the fabric. One thing that caught my attention was your mindset and way of thinking on women’s empowerment. You demonstrate how independent you are as a young female and I can relate to you on feeling like your true identity can’t be seen. I’m the middle child of my family so I feel like I have to follow my older siblings’ footsteps to set a good example for the younger ones.

Dear Ashley, I am a student from San Jose State and would like to say that your shadow box is beautiful! I really like how you brought light to the topic of females. Females are always seen as less than men but I’m glad you made it clear that women aren’t weak. I love how you said “we are just like them able to control our lives by not depending on men and taking care of serious stuff.” This is something more people have to start understanding and reading that makes me happy because you are doing your part to put an end to it. I really enjoyed seeing your shadow box and learning more about your identity.