Closing Time

Walking into the Fruitvale last August I expected to find a rough neighborhood closed off to outsiders. Instead I have found a fantastic community of hard working families and individuals all striving towards making their neighborhood a safer place.

As my time covering the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland comes to an end I’d like to take a moment to share my final impressions of the community and the struggles I have attempted to overcome over the course of the semester.

While language differences have occasionally popped up as obstacles during interviews most of the people I have met have been helpful in finding ways to work through translators, be them friends, family, or a stranger off the street willing to lend a helping hand,

I went into this semester worried that I would be unable to gain access to the real Fruitvale, to the lives and minds of locals, however, I feel as if I have been allowed almost unrestricted access to the residents of this area. From the many stories of how merchants built up their businesses from selling goods in their living rooms or from carts on street corners to full sized stores and restaurants in the area, to how families came to live in Fruitvale from all across the world I have been lucky to hear so many of this communities personal stories. I wish I could have told them all as they all describe just how hard working and dedicated the members of this neighborhood are.

Many of the local community organizations have also been easily approachable and more than willing to spend time talking to me. I faced resistance only from the higher politicians, such as Ignacio de la Fuente and on occasion the police, which is understandable given the nature of their work and busy schedules.

In covering the Fruitvale I’ve learned a few things about the journalism trade as well. I’ve learned that you must have confidence in yourself as a reporter. You have to stand behind your interview questions and not shy away from asking the tough questions, even if you get resistance you have to keep asking. In instances where the information could be a benefit to the greater community you must push to get the story that some may not want you to share.

I’ve also learned to take pause during and at the end of interviews in order to reflect on the things that have been discussed and give myself time to decide if there is anything else I need to, or should be asking. Earlier in this semester I found myself having to go back and do second interviews a few times because I had forgotten or overlooked an interesting piece of information. In most instances people are more than accommodating in allowing me a minuet or two to go over my interview notes. Along with this comes an already well known journalism rule of always come prepared. I have always found that doing research on people or organizations before going into interviews always landed me with better information in the end.

The biggest learning experience for me this semester in covering this neighborhood came from the articles I wrote regarding crime and criminal trials. Specifically the criminal trial assignment as I had little experience writing around the court system, Learning what was acceptable and what bordered slander as well as how to translate legal jargon into understandable reading proved to be some of the hardest things I did this semester.

From this class and from the Fruitvale a will take with me the excitement and adrenaline I felt in pounding the pavement hunting down sources, persuading people for interviews, and searching for the stories that represented what this neighborhood is: a true community despite problems with crime and gangs. In my eyes the Fruitvale is a vibrant community full of Latino heritage, tradition, and perseverance.

Public Markets in the Fruitvale: Plaza del Sol

Many of Fruitvale’s main streets are lined with independently owned businesses. There is no doubt that the neighborhood offers a wealth of opportunities for those looking to begin their own business venture.

However, retail space on any of the main streets, including Foothill Boulevard, Fruitvale Avenue, 14th Avenue, and International Boulevard can often be too expensive for first time entrepreneurs. In response to this many public markets have sprung up around the Fruitvale, which offer folks rentable retail space at a price significantly lower than the cost of an entire storefront.

“It’s very expensive for businesses to come into the Fruitvale,” said Mario Juarez, the man behind Plaza del Sol. “Plaza del Sol is an experiment to show that people can prosper if given the ability. Most folks just need an easy way to do business.”

Plaza del Sol on International Boulevard is one such public market. The market is made up of 20 spaces available for vendors to set up booths or small stalls and as of October was approximately 80% leased and still under partial construction on the inside.

Like other public markets Plaza del Sol puts the emphasis on small business and provides added flavor to the Fruitvale.