Hustlers in Oakland see underground economy as only option

Jobs continue to be scarce all over the country right now. In California, the unemployment rate is at a record 12.5%, and in Oakland, it’s over 17.5%. But when you drive down the main drags of East Oakland, people are hard at work in a different economy. You’ll see some young men selling drugs and women soliciting sex, but many residents hit the streets for less risky trades, like selling faux designer sunglasses and purses out of their cars or producing and selling their own rap albums.

The “street” economy can be a slippery slope to violence, but for many it’s the only way to make a living. For our series exploring the roots and solutions to violence in Oakland, Reporter Sarah Gonzalez takes a closer look at the city’s entrepreneurial spirit.

This story originally aired on October 15, 2009. You can go to the Fault Lines Project page to hear the other stories in the series, to see photos and read blogs by our reporters, and to participate in discussions around these issues.