Natalie Sangiacomo
October 26, 2009
The Light and Darkness of the Golden Gate Bridge
The fog rolls through the Golden Gate Bridge on a July summer morning. Not until mid afternoon can the bridge’s 500 ft. towers become visible. The orange vermillion color of the bridge blends perfectly with the landscape surrounding it and reflects the coolness of the blue sky. The bridge’s extensive main cables, delicately connects The Bridge. The crashing of waves as they splash against the bridge’s barriers, and the sounds of sea gulls chirping as they soar along the bay gives those walking along the bridge a sense of calmness and serenity. Joseph B. Strauss, Chief engineer of the bridge, a genius engineering science, created this triumph of human brilliance. This iconic structure attracts over 9 million visitors yearly. Many people travel from all over the world to visit this magical landmark and see a true sense of beauty in San Francisco, while others visit to end their life.
"I had heard that the Golden Gate Bridge was the easiest way to die. I heard that you hit the water and you're dead," Hines said. "And I remember picking the spot. This is the good spot. I'm not too close to the pillar. I won't hit the pillar. I'm not too close to the land. I won't hit the land. I'll hit the water and I'll die." Kevin Hines, a San Franciscan who suffers from bipolar disorder decided to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in 2000. His depressed cycles came to him regularly throughout high school and felt his only way out was to commit suicide. The moment Hines let go of the railing and descended toward the water below, he changed his mind. He thought, “What am I going to do? I don’t want to die.” There has been over 1, 300 people who died from jumping off the bridge, and Hines was one of the twenty-six people who has survived. A jump off the bridge is 98% fatal. People will either die by drowning, heart attack, or the impact of the bridge. Within four seconds, Hines was able to land feet first and was kept afloat by a seal. “You cannot tell me that wasn’t God, because that’s what I believe, and that’s what I’ll believe until the day I die.”
On average, a person jumps off the Golden Gate Bridge every two weeks. It serves as the number one suicide site in the world. There is a strange inference that if one wants to commit suicide, of choosing a place behind closed doors, and a place that is so mysteriously beautiful. Most suicides occur in everyday familiar places, that don’t associate with beauty. However, having fascination and grace as a death site, is what captivates those contemplating suicide to the bridge. The vision of the abandoned Alcatraz in the near distance, the tall buildings of San Francisco in perfect stillness, or the dark blue water glistening as the sun shines on the bay, acts as an attraction for seeing something that is truly beautiful for the last time.
Eric Steel, the director of the movie, The Bridge, decided to make a documentary on the human spirit in crisis with the Golden Gate Bridge. The crew had two cameras at certain angles along the bridge. In a year, Steel was able to capture 23 suicides and many attempts. Steel said, “The Bridge’s most striking power is its ability to seemingly erase time. Within moments of death, it’s like it’s never happened. Things return to normal.” [1]Those passing by and see a person jump 222 feet off the railing, look down to see that that person has disappeared into the rough waters of the bay. “Certainly it’s a highly risky, yet glorious way to draw attention to one’s self.” says Lyle Smith of San Jose California during an interview in The Bridge. The director captured 100 hours of personal heart breaking interviews with family members of suicides, people walking or driving across the bridge, and even surfers and boaters witnessing a suicide fall. The Bridge shows real life suicides, which leaves viewers haunted and open to discussion about this quietly talked about act of destruction. It addresses suicide in a way that doesn’t have the same impact as reading about it in an article.
The stories of family and friends of the many jumpers who did not survive, as well as the survivors, helped create media support for building a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge. For many years, the idea of putting a suicide barrier has been shut down due to high costs, engineering difficulties, and public opposition. Those in favor of a barrier are outraged that those opposing it would rather save an icon than a life. However, opponents say a barrier on the bridge will not prevent people from killing themselves. The Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors has voted 14 -1 to approve a suicide barrier. The heartache, and terrifying stories of suicide jumpers have helped to finally put this struggle and contemplation of installing it into effect. While a barrier may not prevent those that are determined to kill themselves, it can interrupt one’s idea of killing themselves to get appropriate help.
Although many see the Golden Gate Bridge as their grave sight, its power and beauty has left San Franciscans with nothing, but pride and honor for their city’s landmark. Whether one’s at Crissy Field, the top of Coit Tower, or the hills from Pacific Heights, the bridge is visible throughout much of the city. Its vibrant glow has surfers and boaters on the water, on even the coldest San Francisco mornings. Unlike New York, San Francisco isn’t the city that never sleeps. However the lights along the bridge keeps the city alive throughout the night. At night when San Franciscans look out their windows at the bridge, they feel a sense of security, as they know its protecting their remarkable city.
1.
ABC NEWS, . "Man Survives Suicide Jump from Golden Gate Bridge." April 28, 2006: 3. Web. 20 Oct 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment