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Your neighboring City of Concord, allowed the verbiage "No Negroes allowed" to live in certain residential developments in the 1950's; and this is part of the that Citys history. This is also a constitutional violation that was struck down and rightfully removed; and one can not argue that it should remain posted "because it is part of the history of the city".
The existence of the rationalization of an incorrect violation of separation of church and state; by the proclamation that the monument is "historical", is deceivingly circumventing the true intent of the monument- which is decisively clear. One merely has to literally read the first four commandments to realize this.
Another argument used by the donors of these monuments is that: " no one else bothered to place any other monuments on the site for 40 years, and now they complain" .
This is also a redundant argument - as we can all probably agree that if an atheist or Pagan had placed their symbol of belief on this public property in 1965; they would have surely been denied permission.
This year is 2012, and non-Christian believers would probably still be denied access to post any symbols on most, if not all - public properties that contain the said Christian monuments.
I am appalled at the imbalance of justice and the inequality displayed by the City of Oakland for favoring and condoning only this Christian monument on this public property; as it is insulting to the constitutional choice and lifestyle of alternative beliefs of any other citizens who are not adherents to Christianity and its Bible.
I do not have an objection to Christian churches and supporters placing their dogmatic objects of faith on private property; in fact I view it as constitutionally commendable.
However, the endorsement by the City of Oakland for this same dogma on public property is a substantiation of inimical favoritism.
Oakland is a very diverse and ethnically inspired city. I am sure that many people who frequent this zoo are unaware of this biased monument pronouncing the favoritism of Christian doctrine that dominates the western skyline; an antithetical testament that is demeaning to the citys expressed goals.
Ironically, the first posted sign that one observes when they enter the public property of the zoo is a sign that states: "It's your zoo".
Oaklnad Zoo Entrance - Public photo by Joey Piscitelli
Is it? Would John Q. Public presume that it may be -- as long as the public adheres to the Christian posted ten commandments? If it is in fact our zoo, then we should have a voice when constitutional equality is compromised.
My daughter was married at the Snow building, and unfortunately, we did not go to the left side of the building overlooking the western horizon and bay, when we viewed the building before we rented it.
The day of the wedding, we went outside to view the sunset, and to take pictures, and there to our surprise -- we viewed this giant monument, demanding obedience to the Christian faith and their God.
Many of our guests were shocked, and we were speechless and offended. There was no warning to us by the officials at the Oakland public office of administration where we paid our money - that we were subject to the laws of the "Ten Commandments" at our own daughters wedding.
