Exploring Sound, Race, and Power in Oakland: A Dialogue with Alex Werth

In a recent conversation on Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D engaged with writer and geographer Alex Werth about his thought-provoking new book, On Loop: Black Sonic Politics in Oakland. This dialogue delves into how sound, race, and power interlace within Oakland’s rich history. Werth, with a background rooted in anthropology and enhanced by geography, offers a unique lens through which to understand Oakland as a living mosaic shaped by Black migration, music, and activist struggles.

The Soundscape of Lake Merritt

The discussion kicks off around Lake Merritt, a hub for community gatherings and drum circles. Werth highlights how the growing presence of law enforcement, ticketing practices, and “no cruising” zones reflect a systematic message directed at Black Oaklanders: their cultural expressions, even in seemingly benign forms like drum circles, are unwelcome. While authorities might frame these interventions as necessary for noise control or public order, they often serve as coded language marking racial boundaries. In this context, sound emerges not just as music but as a vital expression of identity and resistance.

Historical Echoes of Migration and Music

Werth then traces an auditory lineage back to the Second Great Migration, when Black Southerners introduced blues and other rural sounds to West Oakland. This influx of music was met with moral panic from white residents and even segments of the Black middle class, which fed into nuisance laws that heavily regulated nightlife—particularly along Seventh Street. Davey D observes that the rhetoric of the 1940s and 50s eerily mirrors contemporary complaints about sideshows, scraper bikes, and participants in drum circles, pointing to a troubling historical pattern. Werth refers to this phenomenon as “history on loop,” illustrating the cyclical nature of anti-Black policing amidst a backdrop of persistent creativity and resilience.

The War on Nuisance and Its Implications

The conversation shifts focus to what they term the “war on nuisance,” broken windows policing, and the complex role of the Oakland Police Department under Black political leadership in the post-civil rights era. Werth emphasizes how vague language surrounding “nuisance” enables the city to target Black spaces—specifically cruising zones—without explicitly invoking race. This layered approach to policing reveals the systemic nature of racial bias, showing that the tools of regulation often come cloaked in neutrality, rendering them difficult to contest.

The Struggles of Black-Owned Venues

Delving deeper, Davey D and Werth discuss specific Black-owned venues such as Geoffrey’s Inner Circle and Sweet Jimmy’s. These establishments serve as case studies exemplifying how Black spaces were over-policed, inundated with hefty fees, and squeezed through a demanding special events permit regime, which disproportionately impacted rap artists and Black audiences. In a stark contrast, the city continues to market itself as the birthplace of jazz, funk, and hip hop—profiting from the very culture it sought to criminalize. This sharp dissonance underscores the capitalist exploitation of Black cultural contributions while simultaneously marginalizing the communities that create them.

Sound as a Political Force

As the discussion winds down, Werth makes a compelling case for readers to attune their ears to the political dimensions of sound. He argues that Black music and the struggles for Black freedom in Oakland are intrinsically linked, rallying listeners to recognize the significance of sonic expression in racial politics. This call to action invites a deeper engagement with the sounds that envelop us and the histories they carry.

In this dialogue, Davey D and Alex Werth illuminate how Oakland is not just a geographical space but a vibrant narrative intertwined with race, culture, and resilience. It challenges us to reconsider the narratives we hear and the ones that remain silenced, urging us to listen more closely to the sounds of resistance and identity that resonate through the streets of Oakland.