How an Oakland Roots and Soul mural project caused heartburn, then cured it

The Longfellow Fields project in Oakland will feature a mural honoring soccer players Johnny Rodriguez and Sam Tran, alongside a tribute to graffiti artist Ghost51. Local residents Paulo Esperon and Lauren Silverman initiated the project to address the absence of soccer fields in their neighborhood. They partnered with the Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club, which aims to create safe community spaces for youth. Edreece Arghandiwal, cofounder of the club, highlighted the project's potential to serve as a cultural hub and support programming for local youth. The Longfellow neighborhood has faced significant demographic changes, with Black residents decreasing from 51% in 2010 to 30% in 2020 due to displacement.

The mural project began amid initial tensions when artists discovered a memorial for Ghost51 on the chosen site. Ghost51, a beloved community figure, passed away in 2022, leaving a legacy of community-building through art. This initiative not only provides soccer fields but also seeks to heal cultural rifts in a rapidly changing Oakland.