My girlfriend and I were in Los Angeles for a few days. But in the middle of our trip, I knew I had this assignment to do and I thought it was a nice opportunity to use Los Angeles to walk in someone else’s name, for a cause outside myself.
I asked my mom what kind of walk I should do. She didn’t hesitate to tell me, “Take the bus. Take several buses. That’s what I used to do when I couldn’t afford a car. That’s the walk I want you to take—for every woman who never got to travel any other way.” And just like that, our transit from Union Station to the hotel became the assignment.
We traveled from Union Station in downtown L.A. to Trend Hotel near LAX using public buses. It was long, slow, and required three different transfers and a final walk along wide, exhaust-heavy roads.
We were technically on vacation. We could’ve just called a Uber (even though it was like 4PM and it would of cost $80!) and been at the hotel in 30 minutes. But instead, we did it her way. We sat, stood, waited, and transferred.
What surprised me was how different the city felt when seen through this slower, more vulnerable lens.
For me, it was eye-opening. For her, it was just how it’s always been.
It was just a bus ride during vacation. But under the surface, it carried so much more. It was a ride in my mother’s name. A moment of learning with my girlfriend beside me, someone who’s lived this kind of movement her whole life. I arrived at the hotel physically tired, but mentally awake. That, I think, was the point.
Your decision to walk “in someone else’s name” gives this post a powerful emotional and political resonance. I’d love to see you unpack your mom’s perspective even further… what did that kind of travel mean for her daily life, sense of freedom, or limitations? Conceptually, connecting personal memory to urban infrastructure is strong; maybe consider how this walk could also speak to issues of class, gender, and city planning. More sensory details (sounds, smells, interactions) might elevate the reader’s immersion in the experience.
ReplyDeleteI think that deciding to walk in someone's name that is already close to you (parental figure) was a good choice because it automatically creates a personal connection. Having this walk also be with your girlfriend who shares the public transportation experience with your mom added to this assignment. I think it would be interesting to add the thoughts of those two people in this documentation. Since they experienced it prior, they can have helpful and thoughtful insights!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a good cause and thing to walk in someone's name for. I really love projects like this because they speak on topics that are so personal and in such a timely manner, overall I think you did really well.
ReplyDeleteI love this concept for a walk because it combines the personal life of those close to you and the social experiences of public transportation. Seeing how the bus differs in each city is also really interesting, but also those patterns that are found using public transportation everywhere. I am glad you were able to do something new because of this walk, it's a very unique perspective!
ReplyDelete