Ingredients for Murder

James Harris / Truthdig Aug 20, 2007 Truthdig contributor James Harris investigates the assassination of an Oakland journalist who was gunned down recently, apparently to protect the reputation of Your Black Muslim Bakery, an organization claiming high ideals that has been increasingly linked to violence and scandal. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Wave of Shootings in Oakland

Staff / Truthdig Aug 7, 2007 A wave of shootings following the assassination of an Oakland, Calif., journalist has left seven dead since Friday. Seventy-nine people have been killed in Oakland so far this year. That's five fewer than at the same time last year, but still far too high. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

It’s the Ecstasy, Stupid

Sheerly Avni / Truthdig Jul 3, 2007 Oakland's skyrocketing murder rate has experts scratching their heads, but cultural critic Sheerly Avni suggests that one answer lies in plain sight. Just ask the kids who are likeliest to kill and be killed, and you will learn that a major villain is the "hug drug." Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

The Invisible City: Entering Oakland

James Harris / Truthdig Mar 11, 2007 In 2006 alone, 148 people were murdered in the streets of Oakland, most of them African-American. Today the epidemic of violence continues unabated and largely ignored. Truthdig contributor James Harris reports on the forgotten crisis that threatens to tear his city apart. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

Robert Scheer, James Harris and Joshua Scheer on Alternative Energy, the State of the Union and More

Staff / Truthdig Jan 27, 2007 Robert Scheer joins Truthdig contributors James Harris and Joshua Scheer for a conversation on the State of the Union, alternative energy, Nancy Pelosi, Iraq, Oakland and more. Dig deeper

Podcast: the Democratic Spine, MLK Day, Oakland and More

Staff / Truthdig Jan 20, 2007 Is Pelosi too soft on Bush? Is there more to Martin Luther King Day than shopping? How do you save Oakland? Plus: crossing party lines to oppose the war and more, all on this week's podcast with Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer and James Harris. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Robert Scheer and James Harris on the Democratic Spine, MLK Day, Oakland and More

Staff / Truthdig Jan 20, 2007 Is Pelosi too soft on Bush? Is there more to Martin Luther King Day than shopping? How do you save Oakland? Plus: crossing party lines to oppose the war and more, all on this week's podcast with Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer and James Harris. Dig deeper

Podcast: Escalating the War, Schwarzenegger and More

Staff / Truthdig Jan 13, 2007 Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer joins James Harris for a conversation on the Vietnamization of Iraq, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the plight of Oakland and more. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Robert Scheer and James Harris on Escalating the War, Schwarzenegger and More

Staff / Truthdig Jan 13, 2007 Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer joins James Harris for a conversation on the Vietnamization of Iraq, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the plight of Oakland and more. Dig deeper

Having an Open Attitude to Kids’ Gender Identity

Staff / Truthdig Aug 29, 2006 Two private elementary schools in Oakland, Calif., have adapted to a phenomenon known as gender variance?when kids identify as the opposite sex. Some grow out of it, some don't, but the schools' open attitude is meant to bolster self-esteem and avoid the kind of scars that can follow children into adulthood. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )