Reaching Out to Raider Nation

I'm a niners fan by blood. Born and raised in the city, remember the pride of walking to the bus stop before school the day after they won the '94 Super bowl. I love me some 49er football.

But there's something about those Raiders.

Maybe it's because I'm living in Oakland these days. Maybe it's also the anti-displacement work I've been immersed in lately and how much more aware I am of the 49ers complicated place in Bayview's history. But I know I always like to root for the underdog, and let's face it, the 49ers have never really been known as the "people's team."

That claim goes to Oakland, and its football team. No, JaMarcus ain't exactly killing them, Darren McFadden seems to have gotten lost in the Black hole, and Al Davis manages his team about as well as I manage my personal finances. But even with all that drama, the Raiders have got hella fight in them.

How else can you explain their fans' ride-or-die attitude? I'm not saying that I'm on the bandwagon, and I don't think my niner allegiance will ever fully allow me to embrace Raider Nation.

But after this post, it takes me one tiny step closer.