By Oakland City Councilmember At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan–
On Monday, September 23, 2024, the City of Oakland honored film and martial arts legend Bruce Lee with a commemorative street renaming. The ceremony occurred at the Broadway and Garnet Street intersection, near the martial arts school that Lee founded and ran with Jimmy Yung Lee (no relation). The school was notable for the martial arts skill taught, Jeet Kune Do, and its inclusive philosophy regarding its students. Well-known personalities such as Kareem Abdul Jabbar and the late Ron Dellums were students.
We honor and uplift the history of Bruce Lee in Oakland. We honor his dedication and commitment and how he changed the martial arts and film world. The way he changed the world across racial collaborations, the way he built followers all over the world, who to this day are inspired by what he taught and did.
His impact on several generations was apparent as people from throughout Oakland, the Bay Area, and beyond, including Seattle and Los Angeles, made their way to his street unveiling. People exchanged stories of how they or their loved ones became Bruce Lee fans, while others remembered when they were his students. Shannon Lee, his daughter, accompanied by her mother and daughter, explained that her father chose Oakland because he found his “peers,” likeminded and open-minded people.
“This is such a momentous occasion for celebration, and my father would be thrilled. Oakland is a beautiful and special place in our heart … my brother was born here. Jeet Kune Do (and) the beginning of my father’s art started here; his film career started here. Oakland is a very significant place for our family,” Shannon Lee said.
The unveiling was a beautiful event full of love for Bruce Lee and the impact he made on Oakland and beyond. The world will never forget him, and Oakland will never forget him. I was honored to introduce and pass the council action to authorize this renaming. May we continue to uplift those who have built community and solidarity in Oakland.
Councilmember At-Large and Council President Rebecca Kaplan, who is the Vice Mayor of Oakland, was elected in 2008 to serve as Oakland’s citywide Councilmember; she was re-elected in 2016 and 2020. She also serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC).
Follow Councilmember Kaplan on Twitter @Kaplan4Oakland
(https://tinyurl.com/2dtjmazc) and Facebook
(https://tinyurl.com/2p9dd5ta).
Out of the Closet and into City Hall
Published on October 3, 2024
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