Oakland Is...

Oakland is many things,  and it has been incredibly resilient. I hope that it remains that way.  This mural by TOK crew commemorates the 1989 earthquake that hit Oakland and decimated the freeway which was where Mandela Parkway stands today.  This freeway was built during the 60s dieing a burst of urban planning that did it's best to break up and destroy the African American cultural and commercial heart of Oakland on West Oakland's 7th Street. This freeway and several others bisected West Oakland and kept communities separated and more isolated. 

While the freeway was not a good thing, it was still a tragedy then it pancaked down killing many on it and near it.  After the earthquake,  Mandela Parkway was designed as a replacement which might bring communities back together.  Did it work?  I'll leave that judgement up to you. This mural faces the Parkway.