Oakland (Special to ZennieReport.com) – The Oakland Branch of The National Association for The Advancement of Colored People (Oakland NAACP) penned this letter of objection to the Port of Oakland’s move to change Oakland Airport’s name to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. Here’s the text.
Port of Oakland Renaming of Metropolitan Oakland International Airport
The Oakland NAACP Branch urges the Port Commissioners to work with their staff to host a community meeting to explain the reasons behind the proposed change and receive feedback directly from residents.
Many of our Oakland NAACP Branch members were surprised to hear of the proposed change without substantial public engagement. The airport is one of the City’s most important assets because it is the first thing that travelers see when they come to Oakland. This issue raises greater questions surrounding Oakland’s identity and real solutions to attract more travelers and jobs to the city.
We were surprised and disappointed that neither the Port officials, Airport officials nor any staff reached out to the Oakland NAACP Branch prior to making their announcement about the recommended name change. In January 2024, we met with Governor Gavin Newsom’s office and presented our 10-point plan for public safety. We were pleased to hear that Governor Newsom deployed additional resources to Oakland.
We were also pleased to see a 10 million investment in public safety from Oakland businesses. This is exactly the resources that Oakland needs and more should be done by Oakland’s public officials to improve the image of Oakland and the lives of its residents.
Proponents of the name change state that the change allows airlines to market the Oakland Airport based on its proximity to San Francisco Bay. However, this decision would likely cause further confusion for travelers. The suggestion that travelers do not know where Oakland is located is disingenuous.
The decision to have San Francisco Bay appear before Oakland appears to be an attempt to distance the city from its unique cultural history that is separate and distinct from San Francisco. It is important that the Port of Oakland and the airport preserve Oakland’s unique Black history and heritage.
The Oakland NAACP Branch is concerned about the potential loss of identity of Oakland and its rich civil rights history. While some officials may see the renaming as a simple rebranding effort, we view it as a reflection of ongoing gentrification in Oakland. The concerns raised by residents about the erasure of Oakland’s history and identity are valid and indicate the need for a more thoughtful approach to renaming such a significant landmark. Therefore, we support the prominent display of Oakland in the airport’s name.
The renaming of the airport should include more resident feedback and an intentional process that respects the City’s past while looking towards a more equitable and just future. NAACP California/Hawaii State Conference President Rick L. Callender stands with the Oakland Branch. We are requesting that the Port Commissioners postpone voting on the proposed name and hold a public meeting with a more transparent process regarding this issue.
Cynthia Adams, President, NAACP Oakland Branch
From letter to Port of Oakland from Oakland NAACP as sent to Zennie62Media, Inc,