Love Life? There’s no Oakland there

Supporters of the new slogan meant well — and really who can object to an exhortation to love life?

[...] in an age where everything is over-complicated, the snappy marketing phrase is fraught with potholes and politics.

Not long ago, Oaklanders proudly adopted the “There” campaign; residents unfurled “There” flags to counter Gertrude Stein’s famous comment about Oakland.

“Kaiser made the word ‘thrive’ about them,” she countered.

[...] she added, “There are so few opportunities in life to be so generous on so little.”

[...] before the vote, she had sent an email to the City Council that noted “potential red flags” found by Bloomberg Associates, which has been giving Oakland pro bono marketing advice.

Enter racial politics.

Because Schaaf and some motto foes are white, while McElhaney and some other supporters are black, “Love Life” fans suggested that opponents lacked empathy for victims of street violence.

Critics fault the state’s failure to work with the community to craft a motto and marketing campaign that catches on with the public.