Video Response to "Straight Outta LA"

Straight Outta LA
Sport and Racial Issues
Video Response from ESPN 30 for 30
3/17/11

The video that we watched was from the ESPN collection 30 for 30. It was about the Raiders football team and how they moved from Oakland, to LA, back to Oakland. It was also about how gangster rap is associated with this football team. The rappers from NWA began wearing Raiders clothes and hats when they performed and this connected them to the football team. The black and silver of the team was the groups colors as well so they wore their material. The Raiders were known as a hard team and this made the gangsters want to act tough and hard toward others. They started carrying weapons and getting into fights which lead to people not supporting the Raiders anymore. The Raiders moving from city to city left the fans somewhat divided and no city recognition. When the Raiders were first in LA they were a very good team. Violence came from the gangster rap that people were listening too. More groups and gangs began wearing the Raiders apparel because they wanted to be hard and tough like the Raiders and the NWA.

I liked this video because I never really knew anything about this. I didn't know that the Raiders had ever been successful because they have not been in a while. They helped create an image that people wanted to be like as players and rappers. They brought pride to both Oakland and LA when they were in those cities. After the move the pride faded away. If LA were to get a football team then I think that they would be hesitant because of the rioting and violence that was associated with the Raiders. They would have to be a very straight by the book team so that they would be popular to more people. Hopefully this and these cities will regain their passion and pride of football in the years to come.