Learning

I completed a First Aid/CPR class that happened over the course of the last two Tuesdays.

The instructor opened the class with the questions: "Who has called 911? Who has called 911 and gotten through?"

I've never called 911, but this was news to me that one could call 911 and not get through. Is it like this everywhere?

After class I mentioned my surprise to my co-worker that organized the class. She has lived within five miles her whole life--all around my current residence and our office.

"They don't come, it's true! They just don't come." My co-worker went on to say something to the effect of: "That's why we need to educate ourselves and create these resources within our own community, to help ourselves...because outside help doesn't come."

She told me about the various serious incidents the area has experienced in her lifetime: the Rodney King riots, the Baldwin Hills arson fire on La Brea, the Northridge earthquake. In all cases, not receiving adequate government support. For example, she told me how in the riots the police from South LA were sent to Beverly Hills to protect looting from happening there instead of trying to restore peace in South LA!

The instructor's lesson to us was to have the local police station numbers in our cell phones, in addition to 911....