As many of the RAIDERNATION do , or should do, I was listening to RaiderFanRadio this week and as I have been extremely busy with stuff, I was hit by the news that had been mailed to season ticket holders, with reference to the Oakland Municipal Code, stating that as well as changing parking rules, there will be a ban on amplified music around the stadium on gameday.
Brilliant move, absolutely inspired move!.As Raider Rob, Stonerdude, Steph and Mutt have pointed out , this is a direct assault on the very core of what sets the RAIDERNATION apart, one of the things that makes the OAKLAND RAIDERS gameday experience what it is.
The RAIDER fanbase is , and probably always will be, copied and envied in equal measure, whether fans around the NFL care to admit it or not.The way that RAIDER fans of all creeds, colours and nationalities come together on Sunday's, Monday's or whenever and celebrate just being RAIDER fans is a special feeling.
One way that this celebration manifests itself is in the variety of music and sounds of people having a good time that drift across the parking lots of the Coliseum throughout the day.It may be tailgaters playing their favourite music,someone blaring out The Autumn Wind or bands like RAIDERHED or SLACKENLOADER, or some local novices called METALLICA setting up and playing for the fans, whatever, this is what the vast majority of the NATION want to experience, and have come to expect.
As Stonerdude pointed out on RFR, the reason that people like us save our hard earned money all year, is to travel to Oakland for the full RAIDER gameday experience, in fact when a team is going through the lean times that we have had recently the saving grace has been the other stuff that surrounds the football.Even when the team is bad, the camaraderie and joy of belonging to the RAIDER extended family is what keeps you coming back.
This is a point that should be considered by the policy makers in the halls of the City Of Oakland.The RAIDERNATION and all that surrounds it is a tourist attraction, I know, I'm one of those people who make the trip and they should trust me when I tell them that a 4-12 team is not a good enough reason to make that commitment alone, but the knowledge of what happens around the Coliseum IS.
We do not want a sanitised, soul-less OAKLAND RAIDERS gameday, it's something that the city should champion, not neuter.Apparently safety concerns lend weight to the decision, which is just a smokescreen for me.The only time I have felt uneasy at the HOT is as I have opened the door to a portaloo in the south lot, and not without reason.Any time that thousands of homo-sapiens congregate at a sporting contest, and lubricate themselves with beer, problems will arise to a certain degree, European football is exhibit A on that point.But surely taking away performers like RAIDERHED et al is not the answer.
I am not an Oakland resident, but I have seen many comments from local RAIDER fans wondering why the authorities aren't more concerned with real issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour, rather than stopping large amounts of perfectly law abiding people from enjoying themselves, as they have been doing since the teams return to Oakland.
What those that plan city ordinance do not grasp is that the people, the RAIDER fans that they are looking to penalise for the heinous crime of playing some music, are also the same fans that are active in the local community.These are people that put something back, that make a difference, that epitomise the spirit of the RAIDERNATION.
The views of the RAIDERNATION have been presented to the RAIDERS and they have acknowledged the contribution that is made to the image of the RAIDERS by the fans, but this is where the team surely must have the NATION'S back, just as the fans have had theirs over the years.The RAIDERS are not responsible for this killjoy legislation, but it affects the people who live and breathe Silver And Black, and that should matter enough to the RAIDERS to try to make an effort to come to an agreement over this.I may be guilty of over-simplifying local politics here, but in the great scheme of things, this really should be something that can be worked around to the satisfaction of everyone affected.
This matter still has some way to run it seems, and time will tell if sanity reigns.One thing that is sure is the determination of the RAIDER fans, especially those that have some level of organisation , who will remain united against this attack on THE NATION.The good fight shall be fought, and support from across the pond goes with all those that fight it.
4 comments:
I agree taking our live music and our DJs is a direct attack on the Raidernation. I'm an Oakland resident born and raised and I bleed silver and black. I even loved the raiders when they were in L.A. and since they returned in 95 I've gone to about 70% of the home games and have had season tickets for the last 2 years. I was there in 2002 befor the AFC Championship game when Metallica did a free show in the southside parking lot under the assummed name The South Shield. For the last 3 years it's been a tradition for me to arive @ The Coliseum around 10:30 draped in silver and black with a few sandwiches and a bottle of Flor de Cana ( Nicarguan Rum) and check out the bands playing in the south parking lot, then go to the north parking lot to dance to the D.J.s untill 12:30 then a I go to the 66mob tailgate to resite the Autumn Wind with the 66mob, then I go to the DJ both in front on the north side to sing "Volver Volver" ( a very well known Mexican song) with Raider Nana( elderly Mexican Lady who never misses a game) who sings on the microphone of her son in laws D.J. booth with the instrumental playing on the turn-table and about 30 members of the raidernation backing her up with our off-key vocals, Then I try to make it in for kick off. But the Oakland city counsle has taken most of this away from me. For the last few days my bother and I have been discussing what to do to restore the music to the tailgate. If we could get like 400 people to reach the Oaklnd city cousel then maybe we could chang this repressive city ordinance. The Hard part is organizing. I've looked for The 66mob's website to see if they are doing anything to bring our music back but have not found a website. If anyone has an ideas of how to attack his problem, if any booster clubs that are organizing, or if there is a good way to reach the oakland city counsel please contact me; Chris at cfrylopez@yahoo.com
Chris,
Good man, keep up the passion.I have e-mailed you with a couple of suggestions.Hope it helps.And thanks for visiting the pond.
Hopefully,when the constant flow of objection to this bizarre decision becomes the tidalwave of huge proportions that it deserves, the council members will consider the possible loss of revenues and public support that continuing with the ban would cause.
I can't believe that this decision has got to even this stage without being rejected as the ridiculous and un-policeable folly it obviously is.
If i were an Oakland resident i would be even angrier than i already am to think that these fools are being paid by the taxes of hard working sports fans who's RIGHT it surely is to relax and enjoy EVERY aspect of Gameday as they see fit.(Within the bounds of decency of course)
Please keep protesting C.F.L, and all other residents, until this is overturned.We obviously will do anything we can to add our voices to any official protests.
THIS IS PERSONAL RAIDERNATION !!!
This is just a sign of things to come in America.
Its getting less free everytime we turn around...
I'll hop down off me soap box now! Just wanted to let you know theres a new Raider site www.raidernationstation.com
Take a look see if you get bored...
Have a great week!
MVH
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