Photo Credit: Brian Solis
Oakland is proud, but it also has problems, and none of those problems are related to Mistah Fab or fireworks.
So why did the Oakland Police Department conduct a raid on multiple properties connected to Mistah Fab?
I love Oakland, and I get tired of people badmouthing it. However, that doesn’t mean I’m blind to the city’s issues. Oakland suffers from high rates of violent crime, property crime, and human trafficking.
These are real crimes that affect real people and their perception of Oakland. There are numerous homicide cases that are yet to be solved, shooters that have yet to be found, and underage girls who are forced to sell their bodies on International Blvd.
And yet, despite all of that, the Oakland Police Department decided it was appropriate to conduct a full scale raid over fireworks on 4th of July. If you’re not familiar with Oakland and its 4th of July festivities, the entire city becomes an impromptu fireworks show.
The vast majority of the fireworks are illegal, and the vast majority of Oakland’s residents don’t give a fuck.
People who live in the hills enjoy the view of Oakland eclectic, completely improvised display of patriotism. And residents in the flatlands regularly go to viewpoints to take in the view.
Some light off fireworks because they’re proud of America, but most do it because they’re proud of Oakland. The city and its unsanctioned fireworks act as a proletarian counter to San Francisco’s city-backed, fog-obscured, Waymo-blocked disaster.
And it’s not only the fact the OPD is targeting fireworks in a city that regularly deals with more serious criminal activity, it’s who they targeted.
They are few people who have done more to celebrate Oakland and its people than Mistah Fab. Whether you enjoy his music or not, it’s hard to argue that his Thanksgiving turkey drives, Christmas toy drives, group therapy events and other philanthropic endeavors aren’t a net positive for a city that is often defined by outsiders as struggling.
The man even has his own fucking city-wide holiday. Do you know how synonymous with a city you have to be to get your own fucking holiday? Pretty ubiquitous.
That’s not to say I don’t understand that Oakland has a history of deadly wildfires and fireworks increases those risks. Pet owners and individuals who suffer from PTSD can also become alarmed at the loud sounds that more times than not can resemble gunfire or bombs going off.
There are legitimate critiques of lighting fireworks. But in Oakland, it’s a widespread tradition that brings more joy than destruction. And few people have put more blood, sweat and tears into Oakland than Mistah Fab.
He’s got the North, he’s got the East, he’s got the West with him, so why does OPD gotta mess with him?
Be cool. Because there are bigger problems.
I put that on something. I put that on grandcitas.
Run up on me, get your man beat up.
Just kidding, OPD. Please don’t run up on me. I don’t want you to beat me up.
Actually I’d be impressed if you did run when I called. When my car got bipped and the ignition was torn out, it took you guys like two days to come out.
What the fuck.
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