Oakland, California, is a city infamous for its violence, poverty, and gang population. Oakland also holds the home court for the Golden State Warriors and a large chunk of the Warriors' fan base. Despite this, its reputation is unwavering to the point that the television stations actually avoid showing pictures of Oakland and instead feature panoramic shots of San Francisco in between commercial breaks.
Ask most Californians about Oakland and they'd say you would never want to drive through the city after 9 p.m. You wouldn’t want to wear certain colors due to gang rivalries. You wouldn’t want to wear expensive clothing or leave anything important in your vehicle. In fact, you would try to take public transportation when possible to avoid leaving your vehicle unattended. They would say Oakland is a city you shouldn't go to unless you absolutely had to.
But under its rough exterior, there is a rich history that surrounds Oakland. Oakland Airport was the first airport in the Bay Area and was the takeoff location for Amelia Earhart’s famous voyage. It’s the seventh largest city in the state of California and the only city in the world with a natural saltwater lake, Lake Merritt, which was also the nation’s first officially declared wildlife refuge. Oakland is also home to more than 80 parks, 50 locations in the National Register of Historic Places, 600 churches and temples, and home to 125 different languages and dialects. Oakland is also home to the largest and most modern cultural center in North America, the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.
The Raiders, the Athletics, and the Warriors all proudly call Oakland their home as well. And recently, it showed the world it can handle winning a professional sports title and spare its community the violent, mob-like riots after winning a championship.
Unlike the San Francisco Giants’ World Series celebrations and the Los Angeles Kings’ Stanley Cup celebration, the Warriors’ NBA Championship celebration on June 16, 2015 did not turn violent. As Warriors fans poured out of a sold-out Oracle Arena and took to the streets of Oakland to celebrate the end of a 40-year dry spell, it was a respectful and light-hearted celebration. Windows were not smashed, cars were not flipped and set ablaze, and the city could rest easy after their victory over the Cavaliers.
The Warriors winning the NBA Championship has given Oakland the chance to show that it is more than the violence, poverty, and gang activity that it’s known for. It’s a place of tradition, history, and dedication. This dedication isn't just for their Sports teams, but for the community and the region as a whole. Oakland schools raise money for Adopt-a-Village to help rid other countries of poverty. Teachers raise money for unaccompanied minors who crossed the border this year and are living in Oakland, and citizens raise money for the Oakland Foundation, weddings, trips for students, and the Oakland Library.
Oakland is a proud city, one that is more than its reputation. It’s proud of its people, its accomplishments, and of its sports teams. The Warriors winning is an opportunity to shed light on this wonderful city and all it has to offer.
