"Oakland Is" - Channel 32, San Francisco

The television team that made the invisible visible

Bay Area cable television producer, Jimmy Guy, a friendly and engaging brother raised in Jim Crow Arkansas shocked me when he said, "You need to put the story of Buddhism and the African American community on the air." That was six years ago. Since then I've had the privilege of working with Jimmy and the "Oakland Is" crew on more than a dozen shows.

The "Oakland Is" team takes their work seriously. For the past decade, they have presented weekly educational, topically challenging, and socially conscious programming that speaks to the needs of their diverse audience. When I first considered Jimmy's proposal, I thought it might be an opportunity to reach a multi-cultural demographic often overlooked by many Dharma centers. Ultimately, working with Jimmy and "Oakland Is" was a great blessing. Until meeting Mr. Guy, I taught in parks, private homes, community centers, and bookstores, as well as a number of major Dharma centers. Navigating issues of race, class, and culture within different communities was no small task. In each setting, it was clear that there were limits on what could be said, and things listeners did and did not want to hear. These limits were defined by religious affiliations, sectarian differences, and organizational interests.

Jimmy Guy, show creator, co-executive producer, camera man, and everything else that might need to be done.

The "Oakland Is" team provided a supportive and steady outlet for my work despite the controversial topics I presented. They understood what it meant to forge new ground across cultural divides. The greatest benefit of working with them was not having to explain why and how teaching Buddhism was difficult because of race, class, gender, and other sociological constructs within the Buddhist community. Throughout the production process I was able to be myself and tell the story as it needed to be told. Whether I remained within the status quo of Buddhist philosophy and practice, or innovated inflections that were challenging and controversial, the "Oakland Is" crew never wavered.

Dr. Barbara Cannon, co-executive producer and host

Because of the "Oakland Is" opportunity I was able to discuss Buddhadharma's relevance to street violence, illiteracy, Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Garabe Dorje, black on black crime, rape, emptiness, civil rights, and the vajrasattva mantra. This had never been done by an African American Buddhist , as far as I know, any other Buddhist in America. That it was taped for television, and aired unedited, streaming into the households of one of America's most diverse communities, was undeniably historic. I feel that this ground-breaking effort has changed the course of American Buddhism forever. My hope is that through more awareness and media work like this, even African American encyclopedias will be encouraged to include a section on African Americans and the Buddhist Experience.

Michael Lange, Co-executive producer and host

One must understand the karma of being a pioneer. There was no instruction book, nor was there a language to articulate a tapestry of newfound concentrisms. There was no choice but to do the first show and move on from there. If it were not for the stability and dedication of the crew and the genius of the executive producers/hosts, I may never have found my voice. Although I had not been raised in the black church, the feeling of working with these seasoned community caregivers was one of being nurtured and mentored like a young singer doing his or her first solo in front of the choir. At each taping all I had to do was present myself and the Dharma as honestly as possible under the watchful wisdom-eyes of those hosting the show.

The content garnered a variety of responses. A number of people stopped me on the street to thank me for doing the work their communities need and want. As jealousies and resentments grumbled from teachers and institutions whose work has not and perhaps never will penetrate communities of color so deeply, I was publicly challenged and undermined by members of the Dharma community, and excoriated by "anonymous" Buddhist representatives on my own website discussion board. Still, I found great solace in the recently published memoir by Jerri Lange, "Jerri: A Black Woman's Life In The Media." Jerri tells the story of her rise in the 1970's San Francisco media and subsequent "blackballing" after giving a speech, "Blacks In Broadcasting," criticizing negative images of blacks in the media. Her story suggests to me that undermining careers is nothing new in Bay Area politic. The grace of her book is its inspiring example of resiliency, a path that coincides with the mission of Rainbowdharma within the rise of Buddhism in the West.

There are many others who support and contribute to the production of the "Oakland Is" experience. Check out www.oaklandis.org for current credits and more information. They have been kind enough to grant me permission to include samples of several shows below that I hope you'll take a moment to watch.

Thanks again "Oakland Is" for your dedicated work on behalf of humanity,

Lama Choyin Rangdrol

Gallery of "Oakland Is" Show Clips

(Each 2-3 mins in length, requires Windows Media Player, best w/ Broadband)