REFLECTION on Walk 25, Jensen and Chestnut, starting at Aynesworth elementary school and walking west toward 99 on November 22.
Seven walkers on this beautiful fall morning. We met Charles who gave us a grapefuit. We met Lupe and her son David who have many dogs because they told us that people abandon their dogs in Calwa, and they try hard to get them adopted, but don’t know what else to do with them. (Note: we saw quite a few dogs running free in the streets and following us with no collars.) David and Lupe also explained the reason for the front yard fences was to protect them from meth users and the crime that goes on. We met Octavio who is a regular walker of this neighborhood. Octavio has one arm and was carrying a metal stick. I asked him if he hit and chased dogs away with that stick. He laughed and said it didn’t take any of that effort or harm. He just scrapes the metal stick on the ground and the dogs stand back and then run off. What a great solution! We met a group of people waiting in line at the Calwa United Methodist Church for their food giveaway that begins at 1 pm. There was already a line at 8:30 am. To see pictures of Octavio, Lupe, and the others, see the photo Album for WALK #25.
Four walkers were ‘first timers’ and added some of these observations:
There is a joy in just strolling for the pleasure of walking and observing. No rush. Walkers enjoyed stopping to talk with people, and felt that connection was important, and to explain why we are walking their neighborhood. There is a language barrier, so it was great that a new walker spoke fluent Spanish!
The group talked about us being white and one hispanic female in such a diverse neighbborhood. Walkers wondered if neighbors wondered why white people were walking and talking pictures. Were we intrusive? It may seem intrusive to people with affluence and resources. Michelle Martin, a regular contributor to NPR and a long-time respected journalist, has found that people living in crisis situations and neglect often express relief and validation when reporters come in. Otherwise, their lives and circumstances are invisible. And FWM are not there to report sensationalized news stories, but to make visible what is often invisible. When talking to people, I (Lori) ask permission to take their picture. If they decline, I ask if I can take a picture of their feet.
A guy in a BMW drove by and asked if it was national walk day. A walker talked about the difference between walking down the middle of the street vs. on the sidewalk. Walking in the street may be interpreted that we are ‘outsiders’ or ‘tourists’. Does this send a message that would concern the neighbors? Does walking on the sidewalk send a more friendly message? Should FMWalkers think about this for future walks?
One walker is a social psychology professor and noticed the changes in social class and ethnicity from street to street. Keep out signs showed up more. Front yard fences with barking guard dogs showed up more street by street. One walker noticed a house with no fence, in a long line of fences, but there was a large statue of Virgin Mary. Maybe that works for security. The professor is thinking of using the Fresno Mindfulness Walks Model for a class assignment.
Walkers wondered about cultural influences on some of what we observe. One house played loud Mexican music. This could be heard a block away at 9 in the morning. Does this person think this is something everyone wants to hear? One walker said this would be intrusive in her neighborhood. A walker who grew up in a neighborhood like this said that these are sounds of a living neighborhood. Not intrusive, but just the sounds of communiity.
A few walkers said that talking with the residents is the most interesting and enjoyable. Once people know what we are doing, they respond positively. Many or even most people want to talk. Can conversations with the neighbors be encouraged somehow?
The walkers asked: “How do we invite people to j
