Long Story Pretty Short

Somewhere along the line, our streets were taken from people and given to cars. The Big Car industry became so strong, so powerful, and so rich that it effectively dictated the shape of our cities and communities. With a catchy marketing scheme, Big Car promised customers high status and freedom. They sold cars as the ultimate symbol of luxury. Everybody needed one.

Or so they thought. The thing is, it was recognized very early on that cars were not compatible with people. From the beginning, communities began to fight back as the streets where they once gathered, played, and socialized became very dangerous places. But, with powerful lobbying tactics and thick pocketbooks, Big Car persisted. As the popularity of the personal vehicle increased, it was obvious that society needed to be reshaped to accommodate this product. Because until it was, people wouldn't have enough incentive to purchase one. They wouldn't have the need. So Big Car sat back and thought, "How can we create a world in which every person needs a car?"

Well first, it must be so that no other mode of transportation would be more convenient than the car. The most convenient ways to get around cities set up for people, as cities historically were, are by foot, bike, or public transportation, such as a street car, bus, or train. "We must set cities up for cars," thought Big Car. So homes were cleared and families were displaced to make room for highspeed thoroughfares. Buildings were razed, parking lots were paved. Neighborhoods were dismantled and cities were destroyed.

"But we need more," thought Big Car. So they dictated the public narrative, and we saw firsthand how language shapes society and the public perception. When drivers would kill people with their cars, it was deemed an "accident". "It must never be the car's fault," thought Big Car. So when pushback increased, so too did victim-blaming. Eventually – and it didn't take long – society began to assign more value to cars than it did to people. Streets became "no place to [play, talk, walk, bike, you name it].” Big Car customers who purchased their vehicles for the promise of convenience became enraged at these reckless pedestrians (the term people would no longer suit the narrative), and their behavior towards them made the street an extremely hostile place. Our streets became so uncomfortable for people that only the bravest few with no other option would dare travel outside of a car. (Later, these people are considered underserved.)

And when more and more people came to own a private car, which was deemed the safest and most convenient way to get around a city made for cars (imagine that), the space between buildings became greater and greater to make room for parking those cars. And when Big Car took all the space for cars, eradicating humans from our streets, our leaders made the case that we no longer needed infrastructure to support the humans, because they were so very few. Thus, they disinvested in sidewalks and public transportation, claiming "nobody uses it".

Eventually, Big Car won. It successfully created a society in which every person needs a car to get from point A to point B conveniently, and as they say, "safely" (I urge you to remember all things are relative). Eventually, it was no longer an option to walk, and it was no longer an option to take public transportation – a situation in which one must first walk to their bus stop or transit station. For those who could not afford a car, a trip to the grocery became a day trip, and employment was out of reach. But it's important to remember, they still exist (they are considered marginalized), and our cities do not work for them.

So now that you got the skinny, you can understand how "safety" and "convenience" are buzzwords used by leadership to commission projects that continue to degrade our communities, disproportionately affecting underserved and marginalized populations. You might be one of them. Common Duty will help you transition your mindset from Car Brain to a people-centered approach, simply, quickly, and effectively, reminding you that your public representatives, dollars, and projects should work for you. Not against you.