The Bandung Conference took place in Indonesia in 1955 and ushered in what became known as the Bandung Era.  The significance was that African and Asian countries came together for the first time as a block that was not dominated by the US and Western Europe.  By the end of that decade, the continents of Africa, Asia, and Latin America became known as the “Third World”. This anti-colonialism Third World coalition building is what EastSide’s work is dedicated to. By lifting up knowledge of the Bandung Era we are placing our work in a continuum of groups coming together to build power and self-determination.  Bandung Books will feature new and used books, music, and art that offers our community access to information that will be essential as we all strive to remain present and healthy in our own neighborhoods.

For the past 18 years, EastSide has brought out our Bandung Books Kiosk to events and been able to share our resources with the community.  Moving into a permanent, physical space now expands our reach and provides a much-needed asset to East Oakland (where there are no bookstores).  The bookstore also fulfills EastSide’s mission to connect art and culture with history and education. Just as the Black Arts and Chicano Arts Movements did we are committed to making sure culture plays a key role in the movement building that is going to be critical for Oakland’s communities of color.  The fact that we are committed to lifting up and celebrating the Black, Indigenous, Xicana/Raza and Asian cultures that make up our neighborhood places us in a unique position of being able to forge connections between groups.  Bandung Books makes available a curated selection of books, music, videos, and posters that along with exhibitions, film screenings, and literary events serve as a much-needed component to EastSide’s ongoing work.

In line with our organizational mission to raise political and cultural consciousness in our communities as a requisite to self-determination and political empowerment, we prioritize our space for cultural literacy. Encouraging reading books and periodicals, viewing films (documentaries & features) and listening to music to connect histories past and present. A part of Bandung Books will be listening and viewing stations where community members and EastSide students and artists will be able to access our collection of materials from over four decades of cultural and political organizing efforts.  EastSide’s Community Archive & Resource Project (CARP) is devoted to making these resources accessible and functional for community use.