Tenacious Rooster

Another killer mural from the Oakland Mural Festival. It's painted by David Young Kim and ou35. Kim says of this piece, "Korea being a tiny peninsular country was invaded and occupied for much of its history, being constantly beaten left them with a cultural trait, passed on from generations, called 'han.' This deeply embedded feeling of being downtrodden yet having no justice could either be a burden or a source of empowerment. It could crush you or you could rise up and fight till the end. But this feeling isn't unique to Korea, many people have experienced similar things. Oakland has been pushed down throughout its history starting with the native Ohlone to drugs, racism, violence, trafficking, education, poverty, homelessness, gentrification... The rooster traditionally symbolizes tenaciousness, never giving up. We find comfort and the strength to carry on in the simple things, and the warmth of our community."