Support Claudia’s Safety via Transportation

Han, Thaopi Waste win na Claudia emaciyapi. My name is Claudia Iron Hawk. I’m a D/Lakota woman from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe pursuing a PhD in Linguistics at UC Berkeley in California. I do research with the Lakota language and am involved in Indigenous language revitalization efforts.

I hate to have to make this kind of post, but I currently do not feel safe in the city I live in without a car. Numerous encounters I have had while walking or using public transportation have made me and those who love me worried about my safety. Due to financial and many other reasons, I also recently had to move to an area further from the university with higher crime rates, and so I am asking for money to buy a reliable, used car to help me get to and from campus safely.

I have been followed, threatened, harassed, and received unwanted physical advances. Once, while I was commuting to school, a woman shoved me off the bus and continued to verbally abuse me as I left the area, resulting in minor injury. Another time, whilst coming home from a grocery run, a man yelled slurs, profanity, and made sexual comments, all while following me for a few streets. In one of the worst instances, a man kept attempting to make sexual advancements via physical touch on the bus. Luckily, I was able to alert others and leave the bus. But all these experiences have left lasting psychological damage. Unfortunately, I have almost countless experiences with verbal and sexual harassment whilst on public transportation & walking.

Due to these experiences, I believe buying a reliable, used car will last me throughout my time in graduate school and help with safety concerns. I strive to feel safe in getting basic necessities like groceries, accessing appropriate healthcare appointments, or getting to the university. Although, I realize this won’t completely solve all my problems, I know it will at least solve some.

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Based on Consumer Reports, online forum discussions, and consultation with a mechanic of 11 years, some of the best reliable used cars are from Toyota, Mazda, or Honda. Based on CarGurus data, the following average price for a used car from one of these brands is listed below.

Honda: $20,766

Mazda: $21,144

Toyota: $25,892

Due to this research, I aim to purchase a used car from one of these brands. I have saved some money, and will continue to save, but am asking for $10,000 to aid in covering at least half of the projected cost.

I don’t expect to reach the full amount but would greatly appreciate any amount donated at all. Please consider sharing with family or friends!

Pilamayaye! Thank you!