Have you ever watch the process of building a bridge?

I am referring to the entire process… from start to finish. 

First, there is a need to get from one place to another. Said places are usually separated by a large body of water. Travelers could use various methods to cross the water, but they want to use one specific method (automobile), and that would require developing and implementing a plan to create and build the means to get across.

Plans are drawn, reviewed, revised, and submitted for acceptance. Contractors are selected to carry out the plans. The effected Public is given a pictorial display showing how the final product will look upon completion. Everyone is excited!! Well, almost everyone. 

Time to prepare to construct the bridge. In the big picture, we see 2 separate lands getting connected by a wonderful ‘bridge of hope’. The residents of either side of the bridge may or may not know each other, most likely not, and their way of living may be the same or different (most likely total opposites). But what does that matter, right, I mean, the bridge is going to connect folks and make it easier to drive from one side of town to the other- you know, for entertainment, shopping and sight-seeing purposes (money spending opportunities)!

So what about those long term residents who live in the secluded, off the map, tree lined communities at the proposed bases of the anticipated ‘Bridge of Hope’…. Does anybody really know the closed door deals being offered to them for the rights and use of their beloved land? Does anybody really care? What does that have to do with shortening the drive to the mall, zoo or airport? 

Remember the outrage over removing statues, buildings, monuments etc? Is that same outrage applicable for those who have to watch their family’s homestead being cleared, leveled and turned into a pile of cement and metal? These homes, businesses, acreage are all part of some family’s history and upbringing. Why is there no opposition to the permanent demolition of physical properties, which ultimately eliminates centuries of untold history? Could it be that no one really cares about ‘history’, ‘tradition’, ‘pride’ unless it looks like the images etched into their man-made memories. It’s funny to me how the argument for an inclusive – growth and development- gesture, can look different when using Dollar Bill colored lenses…

When I moved to Jacksonville, it was cool to watch the Dames Point Bridge growth. It was still kinda cool when we would jokingly cross a certain section and say, ‘this is where Grandma’s trailer used to be, and Auntie’s house was here, and the church was right here too’!! But, as my daughters got older and more aware of their own genealogy, those jokes soon became ‘dafuq’ statements about how could the City of Jacksonville justify the removal of MY HISTORY, MY FAMILY TRADITIONS, MY FAMILY PRIDE from the maps of this country! And ultimately from the memories, minds and hearts of My Children’s Children’s Children. I mean, THE AUDACITY!

So the next time you head out to a rally/protest/stand around in hopes of showing your ‘outrage’ at the insult of your HIS-story being erased, do me a favor. As you travel across connection bridges, along newly carved out highways, and over local flyovers; please say a little prayer/word/meditate for those whose homes, families, land, businesses and historical archives that were ‘permanently removed’ to make your trip quicker and more efficient. 

Love, Hugs, Purpose and Potential- Camille