Pedestrian
“Sidewalks saved my life They don't ever lie Sidewalks saved my life They showed me all the signs” (1)
This excerpt from the song “ sidewalks” by The Weekend explains Sidewalks as a refuge from the neighbor hood. A haven that is a safe crossing space between atmospheres and geographic locations. Navigating between different worlds, ethnic groups, and social lines. The pedestrian walkways allow safe crossing through street traffic.
“This is officer shelby of the New York city police department, please be aware if you are blocking the roadway trying to stop or disrupt the flow of traffic you will be personally arrested for disorderly conduct you must remain on the side walk and only cross the street in accordance to traffic signals” (2)
This is the pre- recorded voice siren is used by the NYPD to detour protestors from moving into the street. The video was recorded at the outbreak of protesters against trump. The male voice is assertive and strong provoking a warning. Service announcements around the city utilize this active male voice as way to enforce and detour citizens. While the Female voice is soothing and conducts normal announcements not trying to detour an action. The active male holds authority and dominance where the female voice is optional to be listened to.
“It is said that the boy in Ferguson was killed because of a sidewalk. The officer who shot him, his anonymity still being carefully guarded even six days later, is said to have told the boy and his friend to get the fuck on the sidewalk” (3)
Sidewalks are very tricky. Navigating when it is safe to be on them and when it is necessary to leave. In the days of Jim Crow Laws and segregation the separation was very omnipresent and clear.
“If a white person was walking down the sidewalk, a black person had to get off the sidewalk so the white person could walk by. There were laws which prohibited blacks to look at white people in the eye, and a black person could be sent to jail for "assault (reckless eyeballing).”(6)
These laws have since changed but the power struggle still exists, getting off and staying on. Police can decide in an instant what is needed by your body. What pose do they want your body in when they dominate and take control.
“Andre Wade has lived in the neighborhood for over twenty years. He's a commercial driver. One day, he and two friends were picking up his brother to go to work together. They were standing
on the sidewalk, and a police officer came over, and said they were trespassing. When his brother came down and confirmed, no, no they were there to pick them up, Andre says the officer wouldn't listen.” (4)
A public space. Trespassing in public space. They don't need you to do anything wrong. The police look assess and decide if you are worth letting go or arresting. If they want to they will study your body, and decide what the offense is at a later time.
“Definition of sidewalk : a usually paved walkway for pedestrians at the side of a street “(5)
Who is pedestrian? Who is criminal?
Sidewalks are a safe space for pedestrian crossing. Throughout history we look at the politics of the sidewalk. Who is this space for. The wealthy white family crossing has access to public space. Public spaces come into scrutiny by who they are aimed for. Who are we protecting in these spaces and who is protecting us.
Looking at the way police govern the city and surrounding areas, prejudice is the deterring factor. What people are seen as criminals, what ethnic group is commodified? Prejudice has been the determining factor, an instant determined the state of your life, the worth and value of your life.
The way we present effects the way we are able to interact in the public sphere. What people think based off the way one looks effects the first encounter. Further when an event happens the publicity and representation in media effects the way people pay witness to the event. A white child and a black child. The pictures used and the stories told effect the perception by the masses.
Stop and frisk in New York city, Mexicans in Arizona being pulled over and forced to show proof of citizenship, The police using means of prejudice to decide who is a probable offender in the eyes on “the law”. If they want to they will find something to arrest you over.
Who is protecting us. These so called “peace officers” defiantly create an air or terror amongst all they encounter. Questioning if I am safe, who really is ? We have proof of excessive police force on cellphone cameras, we have audio recordings bearing witness to the fact that police work for the best interest of the precinct an not the public. When will we listen, when will we stop this, when will we change this. History is in the past, why do we continue to repeat it.
1.) http://genius.com/The-weeknd-sidewalks-lyrics
2.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2AM8qp-QPY
3.) https://stacialbrown.com/2014/08/14/a-brief-history-of-black-folks-and-sidewalks/
4.) https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/414/transcript
5.) https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidewalk
6.)http://www.cnn.com/fyi/interactive/specials/bhm/backgrounder/segregation.html