June 24, 2022

By Gwen Hoenke

As I sat down to write this post, I found my headspace swirling with so many thoughts surrounding all the events that have been occurring recently both personally and globally. Rather than try to write in a cohesive, organized way, pardon my decision to share the thoughts and ideas that are on my mind in this moment. If you're looking for a more organized post, I'd welcome you to explore some of the other thoughtful posts from prior days of the trip by my other lovely Fulbright-Hays companions!

On the homepage of this blog, you will see the poignant question: What makes a place? Over the past few weeks, I have reflected to a great degree on my personal answer to that question. For some, the answer might involve some kind of combination of the company one is with or the food or even the historical sites to see. While all of those items are beautiful supplements to a spot for me, I have realized that what makes a place for me is finding a safe spot where I can run uninterrupted, particularly without harassment, for miles. Before I get into the why of this, let me first say that finding this spot has often proven to be incredibly difficult. As a woman who has chosen to solo travel on multiple occasions, I have often had to scour the internet for hours prior to traveling in order to find that safe spot. Even when traveling within a group (such as on this trip), I often find myself heading out the door alone in the early morning hours in that elusive hunt for a moment of silence and peace. Unfortunately, that moment of peace has been shattered (or simply impossible to capture in the first place) in a variety of places in which I have traveled. Why? Because I was unable to find any spot in my vicinity where I truly felt safe to run without fear.

So, in all actuality, maybe we need to expand the original question posed of 'What makes a place?' Perhaps, in order to authentically and thoughtfully answer the question, we first need to ask ourselves: What characteristics does a place need to possess in order for me to feel safe? While this may seem like a simple question, I have struggled to pinpoint the exact characteristics. What I do know, though, is that when I have found this safe running spot when traveling, I always felt a deep sense of contentment.

I have found that the level of harassment I have experienced in places transcends location. It might begin with a catcall. Or perhaps the individual following me. Or sometimes, out of nowhere, someone grabbing me unexpectedly. It doesn't matter what I am wearing or what the time of day is--harassment follows no schedule. Unfortunately, in many locations of the U.S., I have experienced some of the worst forms of harassment of anywhere I have traveled. Statistically, 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of attempted or completed rape in the U.S.--and keep in mind that those numbers only reflect reported attempted or completed rape. Given some of my prior experiences both in the States and abroad, I found myself nervously wondering prior to my trip: what will happen when I travel to Morocco? Will I find a place where I can run?

The first day in Rabat, I realized I had encountered an incredible gift: I immediately found a space where I felt safe to run. Rabat is nestled right on the Atlantic ocean and has miles upon miles of uninterrupted, wide paths for runners and bikers. While the view of the ocean was incredible, what was even more incredible was the beautiful silence I experienced while running: in those 7 miles, I didn't have a single form of harassment occur. I felt safe--a sometimes seemingly unattainable feat.

Running is a huge form of self expression for me. Being a runner is a key piece of my identity (another large question I have reflected on during this trip, and will continue to ponder)--even though the athletic component of running is liberating, this is really only a small piece of it. The ability to run, for me personally, feels like an integral component of my ability to feel free. When I am able to run without fear, I can clear my head. I can explore. I can forget, for a moment, the problems we are grappling with globally (the pandemic, structural problems within the educational system, discriminatory practices--just to name a few). Instead, for that small chunk of time, I allow myself to just feel free.

So let me ask you this: what makes a place feel safe for you? And let me even expand the question a bit: what can we do as a society to help create more spaces where individuals can feel free and safe? Because until we solve this basic issue, we will certainly continue to grapple with issues on a large scale. Little, if anything, can be accomplished when we do not feel safe. If this type of space has not been available to you yet, I hope you are able to find it--and if you cannot find it, I hope we can find ways to create this space for you within society. Because we deserve that basic right.