Fadeelah Muhyee, Creating Choices for Oakland Youth

By Janny Castillo

In the city of Oakland, youth who are immersed in an environment where drugs are prevalent, violence is the norm, and misery is in control, it is difficult to see the way out. Twenty year old Fadeelah has found her way out and is trying to reach in and pull many of her peers out with her. Fadeelah knows how difficult it is on the streets, within the last two years she has lost over 10 friends between the ages 20 and 30.

This interview took place in a cyber café in the Philadelphia Convention Center at The Second National Summit on Equitable Development, Social Justice, and Smart Growth. We were among 1,300 participants who came together from across the U.S. to hear discussions on advancing regional equity in transportation, housing, and employment.

Fadeelah spoke on how she became involved in youth organizing: As an Oakland High School Junior, Fadeelah participated in the youth program that Kids First founded in 2000. She learned to outreach and became president of the Youth Power Club. Under her leadership, the youth held fundraisers for a local family affected by 911 and for the homeless. “Kids First” has taught me how to get to the root of a problem. There is a need in our community,” Fadelah said, “For people to feel like they are being cared for, that their needs are being addressed. Our work helps to address those needs.”

Fadeelah went on to help create similar youth groups at three other Oakland high schools. Under the umbrella of Kids First; Fadeelah and other youth organizers adopted the name of “Real Hard”. They are connecting the city’s high school students together to organize for a stronger voice in school and transportation policy. “We wanted the youth to have decision power” Fadeelah says. “Not just deciding what this year’s prom theme will be.” Youth Power Club members, through a student teacher report card program are able to “grade” teachers and provide input in the hiring of new teachers. Real Hard is currently working on training peer counselors to work one on one with the students.

“Real Hard” organized passionately for an AC Transit rally that was held on May 18th.  “We started organizing around the fact that we could lose the youth bus pass. We called our allies in the various high schools, informing them and it resulted in a rally on the steps of an AC transit hearing.” The rally was a success, even though AC Transit has not made their decision, and the fight is not over yet; the youth were able to bring seniors, disabled and city officials together under one message, “Take Care of Our Kids, Keep the Youth Bus Pass!” (For more on the rally, see the TJ article in this issue.)

Fadeelah represents “Real Hard” at the Transportation Justice Working Group table, a regional group of non-profits, organizers and concerned individuals. “The TJ Working Group has allowed me to gain experience from other organizers.” She said, “I feel like people respect us now and we have more power.” She also mentioned the civil rights lawsuit recently filed against MTC. “The lawsuit makes our actions get more media and community attention. AC Transit is acknowledging us as a force and a voice to be listened to.”

Just Cause/Real Hard has about 22 youth who are working under stipend and 15 youth volunteers. They have a network of high school teachers that allow them into the classrooms to talk to their peers. They also produce conscious hip hop CDs whose songs bring the message; “that we are in this struggle together and help is out there.” They produce these CDs at two recording studios, one at McClymond’s High School and the other near Castlemont High School. Here is a sampling of the lyrics:

Open your eyes to the lies, America 

How many people got to die, America

Before you hear the people cry, America

When asked why she chose to be a youth advocate, Fadeelah spoke about her childhood, “My grandparents gave us unconditional love, they took care of me and younger sister. I was taught to have hope and faith and I realized early on that I had a greater purpose – to take care of my community and to help my people.”

Fadeelah is going to school, working for Kids First and raising a son. “It’s been a struggle but the struggle has given me faith and the feeling that I can do anything.”

Fadelah’s words: “I want to send a message to the youth who want to make a change but don’t know how. Start seeking help outside of the things you already know.  I was trapped in the ghetto, but only mentally. I reached out and found the help that I needed to break the cycle of poverty and violence.”

“A lot of my peers are angry; their parents are on drugs and abandoned them. I am also angry but I choose to use that anger and turn it to love though my work.”

Real Hard conscious hip-hop CD's are available at “Kids First” please call (510) 452-2043 or (510) 455-3472 cell or email us at fadeelah@kidsfirstoakland.org or fadangala@hotmail.com.

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