On today’s (Hard Knock Radio Show 08-03-20), we speak with long time Oakland businessman and community icon, OG James Copes. He talks to us about the decades old fight over rules governing Lake Merritt and the impact its having on Black vendors. Copes says there is a clear double standard in terms of how city officials want to enforce certain rules resulting in restrictions placed on Black vendors, while they seemingly leave non-Black vendors lone at the nearby Farmer’s Market.
Cope notes that Oakland city officials are selectively using concerns about Corona Virus pandemic as an excuse to fine and ultimately remove vendors who happen to be mostly Black from Lake Merritt. During our interview Copes produced all sorts of receipts to show that the city has turned a blind eye when it comes to Non-Black residents. On one hadn they will say that Black folks gathered at the Lake is dangerous and will spread the virus, but white folks who are gathered at the Farmer’s Market are ‘getting good food and trying to stay healthy.
Copes points out in our interview all the ways that such an assertion is contradictory. He runs down the history of the Farmer’s Market which he points didnt pay rent to the city for almost 10 of the 14 years they been set up. he also points out that the owners of that market and many of their vendors aren;’t even from Oakland. They are from Marin County, which is one of the most affluent enclaves in the country.
Copes lays out he sordid history of Lake Merrit and the challenges Black people have faced going all the way back to the 1970s. It began with the city banning roller skating around the Lake, which was ana ctivity enjoyed by Black folks. Then they banned cruising when Black folks would gather and show off their cars. The No crusing signs from the 1980s can still be seen. Then the city put all sorts of other rules ranging from no amplified music to no playing of instruments which was an attempt to stop Black folks from drumming.
At every turn folks fought those restrictions and got them overturned. The most egregious rule was banning BBqing at the Lake-That came to a head with the infamous BBQ Becky incident that garnered nationwide attention. Black folks in a show of force and solidarity flocked to the Lake in large numbers every weekend in the wake of that incident and not only made it a point to BBQ, but also start setting up vending booths. For the past two years the Black vendors at lake Merriit has been an attraction. But its also pissed off a small but vocal contigent of people who live around Lake Merritt.
Cope sums it up, plain and simple-he notes there is serious anti-Black sentiment held this small but loud contigent of long term residents. In response, he’s been organizing the Black Vendors and has dug in his heels for a fight. Copes a formidable opponent who rarely loses. His longetivity is a testament to his ability to navigate any obstacle and outlast any opponent. He’s well versed in the city’s politics and history. It’s hard to dispute the facts that Cope’s lays out or the receipts he holds.
For those who are unfamiliar, James Copes is a fixture in Oakland. He is best known for the custom shirts and hats he’s sold in Tha Town that express Oakland pride. In recent years he’s been seen as a Oakland historian. He can be found either around Lake Merrit or on Lake Shore Avenue holding court with young and old folks as well as with newcomers and long term residents.
Copes can run down the cultural history of Oakland, especially as it relates to the city’s vibrant music scene. Back in the 1980s when Hip Hop was taking hold here in the Bay Area, it was James Copes who was dressing many of the pioneering rappers. He made custom shirts, designed hats and even made jackets for folks. The platinum records and photos he often displays at his vending booth.
Copes can also run down the history of Oakland, going all the way back to when the city was founded and parts of it were known as Brooklyn. In fact Copes sells a popular shirt that says Brooklyn in Oakland. A lot of newcomers from New York buy up the shirts mistakenly thinking that Copes is comparing Oakland with Brooklyn and that the shirt is somehow revering the Big Apple. Its nothing like that at all and Copes is more than happy to break down the details for anyone who willing to listen.. Check out his website here.. http://oldschoolcopes.com/
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What a biased piece (and in desperate need of a proofreader). No distinction between the two areas of vending is acknowledged: one is commercial, the other is residential. And it is precious park space. I want all the people of Oakland to thrive and am really fed up with everything being boiled down to racism. Copes criticizes the Farmers’ Market for having out-of-town vendors, which is really laughable since we don’t have farms in Oakland. But if he’s so envious of their situation, he should be happy to sell his wares from the Splashpad outside of Farmers’ Market hours. That would be the best solution: a location at the busy crossroads of Grand and Lakeshore set up for the purpose of outdoor vending.
We need to find ways to support our Black vendors without destroying the beautiful lake environment, an open space designed for outdoor recreation that many of us paid taxes to improve. The current scene is the antithesis of what Measure D provided for. I have lived here for 21 years and have always treasured the diversity of people enjoying the lake. But those people were walking, jogging, bicycling, and so on – not selling stuff.
Cope does sell over the Farmers Market you would know that if you go there… He’s been there before the Farmers market showed up.. as for the piece being biased.. I think not.. I provided a perspective of those who have been continuously upended by racist residents who live by the Lake and who’s perspectives are routinely dismissed. Now you know part of what they are thinking.. Folks seem to have no problem with any and every activity ranging from folks holding bullwhip sessions to djs setting up shop without permits to play techno House to fire throwers, But when Black folks show up, suddenly we need to beautify the Lake and wanna pull out rules and regulations.. Black folks were penalized for roller blading by the Lake.. Then penalized for cruising, then penalized in the 90s for hanging out.. Penalized for training.. Penalized for drumming.. Penalized for BBQing.. They even attempted to stop people from playing soccer and make Astro Park a doggie park..You been here for 21 years.. which says to me you had no problem when they attempted to put restrictions on half of the things I noted.. Thats disappointing..
This is inaccurate. Locals complained when the DJ booths got set up (I do not know if they were set up by White or Black people). Your article is biased because it does not address the obvious challenges posed by vendors – the shocking amount of trash left behind at the end of the day, the illegal and dangerous parking in the median, bus stops, red zones, and hydrants. It isn’t biased to ask vendors to park legally, but they refuse to do so. I observed a vendor verbally abusing a traffic enforcement officer today after she gave him a ticket.
Not true at all regarding the deejay booth.. First, you have no idea what deejay booth I’m talking about.. reason being is that its happened more than once… Second there was no complaints because the gentlemen was there for over 5 hours playing away.. which I personally didn’t mind, but again there were no complaints about him.. As for trash, there are thousands who come to the Lake and less than 5 trash cans from Astro park to Brooklyn.. Request to get more cans or even put a dumpster have gone unanswered… One reason stated is that residents didn’t want to encourage more people to come..As a Lake resident who has been here more than most, I found that to be incredulous and shortsighted.. I also along with others took lots of photos at various times with folks leaving their garbage in bags next to overflowing cans..which arelater destroyed by rats and seagulls.. Of course we have a number of dismissive residents suggesting folks take their garbage back to their cars which are no longer allowed to drive down Lakeshore…
As for folks parking in the middle of the street illegally.. That’s a practice as old as dirt in this area.. and throughout the Bay.. Go to churches on Sunday and see cars parked in the middle of the street up and down East 14/ International.. Its a common occurrance in SF along Mission, Valencia and other streets.. It happens by the Lake.. But illegal parking is not really the issue here..Its Black people who many have no patience for….
It is true that there have been several DJ booths set up over the years and I do not know what specific one you are talking about… but I guarantee the locals complain about them all. That’s why the “No amplified music” signs went up for a while. The signs also said ‘no illegal parking.’
You are correct that people park in the median for church on sundays in some areas. However, 2-3 hours of parking on Sunday morning is a different use than parking in the median for 12 hours 3 days per week. Another poor comparison is farmers markets, which also have a short use time then pack up and go.
I agree with you that trash has always been a problem at the lake on good weather days. However, it is noticeably worse now. It would be nice if people who bring a lot of stuff pack out their own garbage. It isn’t that hard.
You can draw your own conclusions about why lake locals don’t like the drastically changed use of the lake on weekends, but the vendors have a major impact on the weekends with many of them set up for 12 hours. The resistance to acknowledging this impact is troubling – this is a racially diverse neighborhood but some want to paint it as racism. I disagree. I’ve only lived here (on the lake) for 14 years but there have always been Black people out enjoying the lake, socializing, listening to music in their cars, etc.