Visitors coming into Oakland’s Chinatown now will meet a staggering dragon watching over the intersection of Jackson and 10th streets.
Its mythical presence is a reminder to stand against hate, according to the community groups and team of artists who christened the dragon mural “Together, We Rise” last week. Its unveiling served as a kickoff to United Against Hate Week, which runs nationwide through Saturday.
United Against Hate began in Berkeley in 2017 as a poster campaign responding to white nationalist hate groups in the city. Since then, groups such as Not In Our Town and CA vs. Hate have backed the United Against Hate message through their anti-hate projects and by participating in United Against Hate Week, a local initiative that has spread to over 200 communities across the U.S.
According to State Sen. Jesse Arreguín, a speaker at the unveiling, these efforts became especially necessary after the rise in anti-Asian violence in Oakland and other cities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was in Chinatown today and it looks very different than it did before the pandemic,” Arreguín said. “I think the seniors really are more afraid, and I think it’s through community partnerships like this that we can say that we’re going to stand up against this.”
The word together is written in English and in other languages. (Nicolle Delgado)
The mural depicts a large red dragon bursting from Lake Merritt while holding a peace sign in one claw and the world in another.
“It’s basically like this dragon is kind of rising out of water but it’s also rising out of hate,” said artist Steve Ha, a member of Illuminaries, a local street art collective that painted the mural. “We want this dragon to be a protector of the community.”
Below the dragon reads “Together” in a graffiti font that is filled with words chosen by Lincoln Elementary School students, expressing what it means to them to be united against hate. Next to this is the word “together” written in Cantonese, Arabic, Spanish and other languages.
State leaders expressed their support for the mural and the efforts it represents. “It’s so important to be out in the community making sure that people can see us. They know what resources are available and they are not afraid to have their voices heard,” said Tomiquia Moss, secretary of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. CA vs. Hate, a program run by the state Civil Rights Department, works with Moss’ department to advertise resources such as an anonymous incident-reporting hotline in places like Chinatown.
Another event participant, the Toishan Benevolent Association, established a patrol team in Chinatown in 2021 to deter hate speech and burglaries. “Every day, rain or shine,” said Josephine Hui, vice president of the association, sporting the orange cap and vest that Toishan members wear on patrol.
Hui views the dragon as a strong symbol of unity in Oakland. “In China, the dragon is very powerful,” she said.
Isabella Rivera, who works for the Oakland Roots soccer club, which sponsored the mural, said she appreciated the visual reminder of support and protection in the city.
“It really just brings you back to life” she said. “We’re doing this for a reason and it’s bigger than us.”
Oakland ‘No Kings’ protesters say they are fighting for democracy: ‘The people have to show up.’