Again with the crummy phonetography. What you're seeing is a message on the bike path near UCSB, a path that follows Atascadero Creek. The message is, "HAVE FUN RAINA!" Walking to work along this path can be very motivational, even if you're not Raina. Chalk messages like this one are a tradition whenever there is a race along this path. For the Mother's Day Run, for example, there was a litany of praise for moms, motherhood, and estrogen in general. Lots of color and lots of love and support. Sometimes people get happy birthday wishes written on the path. Since it hardly rains here, chalk messages stay for months and months. In my opinion, a happy alternative to bumper stickers during my morning commute.
This morning, however, there was a new message on the walk. In large, clear letters—repeated so folks could read it traveling east or west—
HERE AT NIGHT
with big chalky arrows pointing into the thick tangle of trees along the creekbed.
It's true that on any night there are probably up to a half-dozen people sleeping along this path. The brush is heavy, it's a close walk to the restrooms at Goleta Beach. Between the people working at the nearby farms and the resident homeless, the creek has become an unofficial, extremely discreet campground.
The only reason I know this is by walking the path so often. I notice the little trails into the thickets, the occasional bright corner of a blanket or tent, or the rusty bicycle leaning against a tree. I've never noticed trash, odor, or any of that. The only campers I've seen have been men.
So, as I walked toward UCSB today, thoughts of this "bum girl" walked with me, too. What's her story? Probably not a particularly happy one. Maybe she's one of the few who choose to live outdoors just because they want to, but more likely there is poverty, addiction, or mental illness involved.
Just a guess that whatever her story is, nighttime visitors won't make it any better. At the very least, she has been "outed." At the very least, she can expect to be hassled and/or evicted from her little refuge of mud and twigs.
What this message said to me was an echo of messages I've heard all my life. Messages that still come through each time I run on the More Mesa bluffs near sunset, and my roommate reminds me to take my cell phone (and ideally a knife). The message that women, especially "bum girls," should feel vulnerable. To me it sounds one small step away from the infamous "She was asking for it."
Walking to work this morning, I am angry. I am sick of hearing this message. Maybe we are all a little sick from hearing this message. So, what to do about it? Stop walking in secluded areas? Stop running alone at night? Should I just stop listening? Can I?
Beware, bum girl. We're coming for you.
