Journalist Jaime Omar Yassin Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Unexplained 2011 Tweet

Oakland journalist Jaime Omar Yassin is facing renewed calls for accountability regarding a 2011 tweet that stated, "another lesson: don't be Black." The tweet, originally a reply to a now-deleted post, has remained unexplained by Yassin for over a decade, prompting questions about journalistic ethics and transparency.

The controversy was recently highlighted by a social media user identified as "East Oakland Dad," who posted, "> "In 2011, Oakland journalist Jaime Omar Yassin (@hyphy_republic) tweeted: ‘another lesson: don’t be Black.’ The tweet he was replying to has been deleted, but his words remain. For more than a decade, Omar has never explained what he meant. He refuses to provide context. Journalists make their living demanding accountability from others. Shouldn’t Omar be held to the same standard?"

Yassin, known for his independent and often critical reporting on Oakland city affairs, particularly regarding the Oakland A's stadium development, operates under the Twitter handle @hyphy_republic and publishes via The Oakland Observer. He has gained a reputation for diligently attending city council meetings and analyzing complex documents, often presenting his findings on social media and through his Patreon. An SFGate article from 2021 noted his willingness to be "a dick on the internet," acknowledging his abrasive online persona.

Despite his active online presence and engagement with public discourse, Yassin has consistently declined to offer context or clarification for the 2011 statement. This silence has fueled criticism, particularly given his profession's emphasis on seeking truth and providing information. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, which Yassin himself has referenced, emphasizes accountability and transparency for journalists.

The ongoing lack of explanation raises questions within the journalistic community about the responsibility of public figures, especially those who hold others accountable, to address past statements that may be perceived as controversial or ambiguous. Yassin’s refusal to provide context for the "don't be Black" tweet continues to be a point of contention for some observers.