Crosscurrents

Oakland’s mayoral special election has gotten gritty. Today, we hear how in a conversation with The Oaklandside reporter Eli Wolfe. Then, a cartoonist tells the story about a middle-school kid fasting during Ramadan. And, a song for Spring, and soulmates in a new My Mixed Tape from Uncuffed.

Next week, Oakland voters will go to the polls to elect a new mayor. But as the campaigns draw to a close, charges of misinformation and campaign skullduggery are ramping up. 

Author Elizabeth Horner Turner uses the constraints of flash fiction, which are very short stories, to create surreal and sometimes unsettling characters. 

New Arrivals: Elizabeth Horner Turner chapbook offers surreal, offbeat flash fictions

From our friends at Sights + Sounds: Oakland cartoonist Wahab Algarmi created the graphic novel “Almost Sunset.” It’s about a Muslim-American boy in middle school fasting during Ramadan, while struggling to find balance between family, school, and being accepted by his peers. 

You can listen to the full interview here: Cartoonist Wahab Algarmi's graphic novel 'Almost Sunset'// Paul McCartney's photo exhibit at the de Young Museum// Oakland Gay Mens' Chorus' spring concert

In honor of the changing season, we’re bringing you some fresh music. It’s a special new episode of ‘My Mixtape’ and in it we hear from musician Lee Jaspar at San Quentin, who wrote a love song for the spring season. Then he met the love of his life… and the song fit perfectly. 

A California Proposition was supposed to curb petty theft and drug abuse. Already, the proposed solution seems to be offering more problems than it’s helping to fix. Then, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speaks to the current moment of African-centered culture. And, the deep roots of Bay Area poetry. 

Today we’re bringing you an episode of Uncuffed from last season that really resonated with our Newsroom staff. It’s about a lesser known, but important aspect of life in prison: grieving.

Most people in prison know that when you get an unexpected call to the counselor’s office… it probably doesn’t mean anything good. Often you’re told that a loved one, on the outside, has died. And once you’ve gotten that terrible news — there are lots of unspoken barriers that make it difficult to mourn. In this episode, Uncuffed producers at San Quentin share stories of loss — and all of the stigmas and complications that get in the way of grieving.

• Uncuffed: Grieving, Interrupted

It’s Trans Day of Visibility. Recently, a Russian bathhouse in San Francisco went public with a controversial policy. Today, how one woman took her cause behind the scenes. Then, we hear the creative solutions unhoused trans people use to access resources. And, some of the pros and cons of living life out loud. 

Environmental racism has meant some Bay Area residents suffer more than others. Today, we hear why it’s important for local agencies to step up for vulnerable communities. Then, can a workplace balance justice, equity and profitability? Creating a win-win workplace in a new episode of "Book It."

Ramadan can feel different, depending on where you are. Today, we hear about fasting, prayer and reflection, wherever you live. Then, we meet someone that helps put on America's largest Halal festival. And, a Muslim rapper from Oakland is facing the haters head-on. Ramadan Mubarak!