Building America - Billy The Bulldozer

Billy the Bulldozer, a guest on the podcast, discusses his role in major construction projects in Los Angeles. He reveals his guilt and regret over displacing communities and destroying homes, including the infamous Chavez Ravine. Billy's operator, Hank, is brought in and initially dismisses any regrets. However, after realizing the impact of their actions, both Billy and Hank acknowledge their responsibility and the power they have to make a positive change. The episode concludes with a call to consider the social implications of city development and environmental issues. Welcome to Laying the Foundations, everyone, the podcast where we discuss how America was built and segregated. Today, our guest is Billy the Bulldozer. We have a lot to unpack today, as I understand it, so before we dive in, just give us a quick introduction. Yeah, hi, everyone. I'm Billy, short for William. I was made in a Wisconsin factory in 1955 and was eventually shipped out to Southern California. Okay, so California, you've been here for the last 70 years? Mm-hmm, yeah. I spent my first 10 years working on new developments for Los Angeles. Oh, really? That sounds really interesting. Any that we know of? Well, yeah, probably. Do you want to share? Well, I don't know. I don't know if I feel comfortable. It's a very complicated past that I don't like talking about much. I understand. We've all done things we regret. Oh, really? Are you a homewrecker? I, um, well, I didn't know he was married. What the hell are you talking about? Why don't we get on track? What is it that you're so ashamed of? Well, it started not long after I was made. I was immediately shipped out of Wisconsin to Los Angeles, and I was put to work on the East L.A. Interchange. That's actually the busiest freeway interchange in the world. That's right. But it also displaced 15,000 people. How do you feel about that? Well, it's like this. I feel bad to a certain degree. I was just doing what I was made for, and it is sad that people lost part of their communities, but we all lose things, and it made way for so much more in L.A., I think. But it came at a cost. People were redlined, and we also have to take into account that there are people living within that interchange, which can't be great for their health. Whoa, whoa, listen. Let's not go there. I don't know anything about that health stuff, okay? And again, I was being controlled and maneuvered by my operator, Hank, and I never earned nothing. But he got a paycheck. He benefited, not me. Okay, Billy, maybe we can move on from the interchange. You were also part of some other projects that created the L.A. we know today. Can you tell us about the Chavez Ravine? Well, it was like any other day, really. I didn't think much about it. I just knew that Hank and I were headed out for another job. I didn't know that I would be destroying an entire community. Can you tell us more about the people whose homes you tore down? Well, I remember Lola, the newspaper lady. Oh, yeah, the infamous picture of the poor woman being dragged out of her house. Those poor people. You know what? I'm so tired of that. They were not poor people. What do you mean? They literally lost their homes. No, no, no, no, no. What's the name of that family? The Archa... The Archiegas? Yeah, their peoples. They was rich. They had tons of houses. Well, no, you're obfuscating history. Yes, they owned several properties, but most of them were occupied by other family members. I'm sorry. I get defensive about this because I still feel so guilty, I guess. I understand, Billy. But it's been decades now. Maybe it's time you forgive yourself. Maybe. I mean, do you think I can be more than my blade? Your what? You know, my front end just tears everything down. Oh, right. Anyways, um, well, maybe. Looking back now, what do you regret the most? Well, I guess tearing down their homes and the ravine. But I especially feel bad about the chickens. I was never the same after Charlie's Ravine. After all that, I went into the Central Valley to work on a farm, just moving dirt. You know them Japanese gardens? Okay, but put the brakes on there. First off, what did you do to the chickens? Well, I crushed them. Oh, my God. Yeah, it was an accident. I didn't know they were under the house. Got it. Um, now Japanese gardens? Um, the ones with the sand and a little rake. Yeah, well, now I feel like a little rake. Everything's calm now, except for when I think about LA and the chickens. Everything I was a part of there was just destruction. And unfortunately, it's the only thing I was made for, to be tough, strong, brute. You don't think you have any agency over what you can be? I'm not sure. I wish I could create something like the 3D printers. They're always making cool crap. They have purpose. They can create anything. I think you can be anything you want, Billy. Maybe there's still some use for you in a positive way. Well, I think I'm too old for all that now. I'm resting away. I'll get scrapped soon. Well, why don't we go down memory lane, Billy? You mentioned Hank, your operator? Come on in, Hank. Um, hello? Hank, welcome to Lane the Foundation's podcast. Well, Hank, as I understand it, you were part of some major projects that reshaped LA into the city that we know today. Uh-huh. Well, I played a very small role. Oh, I don't think any contribution is ever too small. You were part of something that was a life-altering for so many people. Is that so? Well, yes, blue-collar jobs are really the foundation of our society. But do you have any regrets about any of it? Well, why would I? Well, do you remember your old bulldozer, Billy, that you operated in the late 50s and early 60s? Of course I remember Billy. Billy was brand new, and I was new to the workforce. All my first projects were with Billy. Well, he actually has some grievances towards you and the projects you both were a part of. Why's that? Well, Billy, why don't you tell Hank what's been eating away at your metal the last 65 years? Well, honestly, Hank, I feel like you used me for a paycheck. We did horrible things. Look, I was a brand-new dad, and it was nothing personal to you or those people. But Hank, it was. Just because you wasn't signing the contract doesn't mean that what we did wasn't wrong. We are individuals, but, but... Are you okay, Billy? Yeah, I just, I don't know how to explain myself, I guess. I wasn't built to, but I guess I mean to say that we all have more power than we think we do. Exactly, Billy. We all have some agency. We don't just have to agree to do things we don't believe in. Yeah, you're right. Even if it doesn't affect us directly? You're right, Billy. We have a social responsibility to each other to defend those that cannot defend themselves. I should have defended the Archieggas. Well, Billy, maybe you can defend other new people today. Like who? So, there are these illegal settlements in the West Bank. Maybe we should discuss this off the record. Well, that's a wrap for this episode. To conclude, maybe you listened in while you did some laundry or while you were at the gym or on your drive to work today. And on that drive, you hopefully thought about how the city around you was built up and who got redlined and who was affected by environmental racism. Join us next week where we interview a 3D printer. Thanks for tuning in. I'm your host, Viviana. Your philosophy's a ticket for a high-class magazine. Don't trip me. Carolina, Carolina Carolina, Carolina Carolina, Carolina Carolina, Carolina