Chapter 2, "Nobody but a Bunch of Mothers," from Eric Avila's "The Folklore of the Freeway" exposes the harsh impact of the highway on urban communities, highlighting experiences of women during the 1950s and 1960s. The construction of highways under the National Interstate and Defense Highway Act led to the displacement of many people from their homes and communities, which inflicted conflict and harsh discrimination against these predominantly minority groups. The viewpoint of women in this chapter reflects a broader societal narrative concerning historical challenges in development, the male dominance within city planning and development, and the disregard for the perspectives of the people, especially women and minorities, who face the brunt of inconsiderate planning and discrimination. This chapter profoundly reshaped my perspective on
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Avila reasoned that many were “reluctant to confront a state that had proved hostile to their interests” (Avila 87). I relate to the resentment of the freeway and feel frustrated for these communities that were dismantled with infrastructure development. However, I believe it is important to touch on the plethora of opinions, perspectives, and outcomes of highways that are not represented in this chapter, specifically positive experiences. With each project and women addressed, I immediately understood the horrible consequences, like the destruction of a child-safe historically significant park, as Jacobs advocated against in Washington Square Park, or the displacement of 21,011 homes in East L.A., predominantly low-income housing due to the low infrastructure budget, as Gutierrez fought against. www.boomcalifornia.org - http://boomcalifornia.org/. The fact that some acted neutral towards the destruction of their homes and communities makes me wonder if there was a second narrative where it was believed new infrastructure was or would be beneficial for members of the
Avila reasoned that many were “reluctant to confront a state that had proved hostile to their interests” (Avila 87). I relate to the resentment of the freeway and feel frustrated for these communities that were dismantled with infrastructure development. However, I believe it is important to touch on the plethora of opinions, perspectives, and outcomes of highways that are not represented in this chapter, specifically positive experiences. With each project and women addressed, I immediately understood the horrible consequences, like the destruction of a child-safe historically significant park, as Jacobs advocated against in Washington Square Park, or the displacement of 21,011 homes in East L.A., predominantly low-income housing due to the low infrastructure budget, as Gutierrez fought against. www.boomcalifornia.org - http://boomcalifornia.org/. The fact that some acted neutral towards the destruction of their homes and communities makes me wonder if there was a second narrative where it was believed new infrastructure was or would be beneficial for members of the