Why aren’t we talking about the bridge that fell in Miami?
By: Ezinne Ukoha
Tags: Journalism, Politics, News, Architecture, Media

Why aren’t we obsessed with the story about the 174-foot bridge that literally buckled and collapsed with no warning in mid-March of this year? It was a frightening news report and the images were even more horrific — as the remnants of crushed cars — containing the deceased bodies of drivers and passengers — peaked out from the massive rubble that took almost a whole week to extract.

President Trump has had very little to say about this national tragedy — which sets the tone for media outlets to guiltlessly drop the ball by continuing the non-stop coverage about his past and present sexual activities — and how those results will determine the temperature of a relentlessly toxic administration.

If this was 1981 — there would be no way in hell that something as dramatic as a falling bridge in the middle of a vibrant city would just get the basic treatment.

Reporters would continue their quest for answers with nightly updates and investigative programs that aim to figure out how something this reckless and deadly can happen in broad daylight — and what can be done to ensure that it never happens again.

The pedestrian bridge that was built to connect Florida International University and the city of Sweetwater gave way in the middle of the afternoon — at a very busy time of day — and the accident claimed the lives of six people — ranging in age from 57–18 and seriously wounded dozens more.

One of the injured — a male student at the university — shakily recounted the minutes prior to the bridge crashing down — as his best friend — Alexa Duran — 18 — manned the steering wheel and brought them to a halt as they waited for the signal to move. They discussed plans for the next day and other stuff that college friends tend to converse about during lunch breaks.

Suddenly he hears a weird cackling sound and before he can make eye contact with his buddy — tons of concrete hit them all at once and with such force that when the dust clears — all that remains of his dear friend is her dark brown long hair — hanging from the smashed interior.

He calls for her — but she’s quiet.

This is the only first-account from a survivor that was shared and recorded and it paints the picture of an anguished victim who will be emotionally paralyzed for life.

That brings us back to the dilemma of calculating how a bridge that was built and completed five days prior — could possibly disintegrate in such a manner. According to The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) — one of the engineers that had been commissioned to erect the bridge — called and left a message— noting that there was “a crack that appeared on the structure” and seemed to want to discuss further — even though there wasn’t an indication that it should be a cause for concern.

FDOT also seems to be putting all the responsibility squarely on Florida International University by stating that the institution had been tasked with ensuring that the concrete structure met all safety requirements.

The university has vowed to comply with the regulations set forth by the National Transportation Safety Board — as the investigation into what caused the frightening collapse is initiated — and investigators begin to gather evidence at the crash site — including pieces of the bridge — blueprint of the bridge’s design and construction as well as other supporting documents.

When “breaking news” of the crippled bridge with smashed cars and scattered debris hijacked the news cycle — it was like being transported to one of those shithole countries we hear so much about — that supposedly don’t give a fuck about their already woefully vulnerable citizens.

The chaotic scene seemed unreal — like something out of a crowded movie set with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson serving as the unwilling hero with the daunting task of single-handedly “saving the day” despite the odds against him.

I often imagine that we’ve become so disconnected from the human experience due to the convenience of being effortlessly social — that we are having a difficult time recognizing human suffering — even when the content is disturbingly hard to absorb.

As a human being with blood running through my veins and the unrelenting capability of being able to simulate the “before and after” — there was no way of hiding from the moments of impact — and hoping that the creator of all things was merciful enough to remove the spirits of the victims — before the threshold of pain overcame their senses.

Then your thoughts turn to the past trips to that same area and how you and those around you — weren’t in any position to fathom that the cab that whisked all of you from the airport — could become crushed metal in a matter of minutes.

That’s when the rage becomes visible — as you imagine the audacity of something like this happening and how we accept it as “one of those things” — as if those who died earned their punishment — or perhaps we are almost certain that we will never pay the ultimate price for the shitty ways in which this country demonstrates its growing hatred towards its own.

Trump touted his grand scheme of #MAGA and those who bought the lie can’t ever share their grief in public — but in private we know that we are unraveling at the seams — and the only thing that can save us is already being coded for our destruction.

Why aren’t we talking about the bridge that fell in Miami?

We aren’t talking about it because we’re too busy clicking through the pending pile that has to be addressed in order to keep us active. The art of following up on stories that affect us or potentially wreck our world if we ever become the main characters — is officially dead and buried.

The only leads that matter are the ones that come in shiny packages that light up when action is taken.

There’s no desire to give Americans who were fatally removed from their business of living for reasons that shouldn’t ever add up — the respect of noting their absence and following that honor with the promise of ensuring that imposing structures that are built to last — never crumble under the duress of greed and inefficiency.

There is so much trouble in the world and there’s also quite a bit of it in The White House and ignoring that fact would be ludicrous — but it’s almost criminal to function in a society that vehemently ignores the spreading virus of gross negligence.

Reporters prefer to tend to the consistency of headlines that never quite deviate from the formula that has become direly stagnant.

We can talk about Stormy Daniels, Cardi B’s pregnancy and the falling bridge all at the same time.

That’s how we roll. So — lets get to it.