Back in the 1960s, people were challenging the status quo in a lot of ways, including how schools should be run. At the same time, the Black power movement was gaining traction. It was during this era, in 1966, that the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense started in Oakland. The FBI called them dangerous because of their belief in Black nationalism, socialism, and armed self-defense against police brutality. But the Black Panthers also took an innovative approach to education and community support. We bring you an episode from our friends at KQED’s MindShift podcast about how one high school in Oakland is still continuing that legacy.
The Central Valley town of Ballico sits in the middle of acres of almond orchards. It’s the kind of place you might miss as you’re driving past. But it’s got a rich history: some of the first farmers who settled here came from Japan. And these days, while the people who live here come from many backgrounds, if you visit the local school, you can still hear the influence of Japanese American culture. As reporter Alice Daniel tells us, kids here practice and perform Taiko — a traditional style of Japanese drumming — year-round.