Becoming Airports, by Bayo Akomolafe

Convirtiéndose en aeropuertos

Por Bayo Akomolafe

Tras haber pasado por demasiados aeropuertos y terminales en mis viajes alrededor del mundo, recientemente comencé a reflexionar sobre mis experiencias: en particular, sobre cómo estas instalaciones monumentales nos moldean, nos disciplinan y nos utilizan.

Piensa en las formas específicas en que los aeropuertos organizan los cuerpos humanos; cómo las barreras y las cuerdas de terciopelo de las filas nos obligan a caminar en absurdas formaciones en zigzag; cómo se nos obliga a adoptar posturas específicas para transmitir confianza; cómo nuestros cuerpos son bombardeados, penetrados, escaneados, detectados, convertidos en inteligibles y modificados por rayos X ansiosos, para luego ser introducidos en pantallas que nos dan luz verde para el acceso o nos señalan como entidades sospechosas; y cómo ciertos deseos y necesidades son instigados por la sección de lujo para consumidores, innecesariamente postergados hasta después del calvario de las filas de inmigración. [...]

Me pregunto sobre las otras maneras en que los aeropuertos —aunque transitorios para los viajeros ocasionales— nos moldean, penetran, re/modifican y nos representan. ¿Son posibles ciertos modos de conocimiento para el cuerpo humano del aeropuerto que son imposibles para otros tipos de cuerpos? Quizás, más apremiante aún, ¿de qué otros sistemas ya formamos parte? ¿Y cómo se nos representa como mobiliario en grandes ensamblajes políticos, geológicos e hidrológicos? ¿Cómo respondemos a la pregunta («¿quién eres?») cuando la identidad siempre está chafada, «desorganizada», postergada, relacional y aún por venir?

Preguntas semilla para la reflexión

¿Cómo te relacionas con la idea de que «un@ no pasa por el aeropuerto; un@ SE CONVIERTE en el aeropuerto»? ¿Podrías compartir alguna anécdota personal sobre un momento en el que notaste que una estructura más amplia —una institución, una rutina, una organización social— te influía sutilmente, moldeando tu postura o tus deseos de maneras que solo reconociste después? ¿Qué te ayuda a tomar conciencia de las "estructuras más amplias" de las que ya formas parte?

Excerpted from here.

Seed Questions for Reflection

How do you relate to the notion that "one does not go 'through' the airport; one BECOMES the airport"? Can you share a personal story of a moment when you noticed a larger structure - an institution, a routine, a social arrangement - quietly working on you, bending your posture or your desires in ways you only recognized later? What helps you develop an awareness of the "larger assemblages" you are already a part of?

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Add Your Reflection

11 Past Reflections

Danny

Jul 22, 2026

I appreciate your take on "becoming an airport". It is definitely an interesting and phenomenal experience. I see it as a pass-through on a much longer journey that we are all on and although it is frustrating at times, I always seem to marvel on the experience itself. Yes it's intrusive but also necessary when so many people and moving in so many different directions. I always find myself more impressed than frustrated with the process and actually think it's quite efficient when you understand how many people are traveling and passing through airports at any one point in time. For better and for worse, these structures and processes are necessary when so many people around the world are on the move. What's important is to ensure that the process is cared for and constantly assessed and improved and that we do our part as individual travelers and move through these shared spaces with kindness, respect and patience.

PenDell

Jul 21, 2026

My most acute awareness of 'larger assemblages' having permeated one's individual consciousness is actuated when a successful friend (or more likely a business associate in a 'leadership' position) voices a blanket statement that latently assumes that one's representation of nameless others. Examples: "I know I speak for all of us, in saying ..." , or "Like You, I think ..." That's when I'll often present a 'nod-less smile' of silent (yet not passive) neutrality.

Rebecca L Dieter

Jul 21, 2026

My last experience was actually very positive. I use the airport wheelchair and we were running a few minutes late. They ACTUALLY HELD the plane for me. All the stewardesses greeted me by name. Even a couple passengers applauded.
But, yes, I have thought often about how whatever rule is in place we just blindly follow it

Mamta Nanda

Jul 21, 2026

Once as I was going through an airport, on an escalator in a chute. On the other side I could see people travelling in the opposite direction. I suddenly felt that this might be how we come into this life, travelling alongside others. Just as we are coming in, many others are leaving!

Sanjay Joshi

Jul 21, 2026

Airports are built on one strong foundation - that of mistrust. And as one moves through that structure, one prays that one is emitting trust - a constant fear that one would be yanked out of that line and searched / questioned. For me, its tiring to see everyone donning that “trust me” neon sign - these days hardly see any joy. Only weary travellers completing their assigned task. I prefer trains and railways and the crowds and the various aromas of sweat, fried food and boiling tea.

Bob Hamilton

Jul 20, 2026

First time to Europe...passing through Paris on the way to Madrid. Airplane to a bus ride around the airport, dropped off at customs...a massive concrete block basement with long lines, guards with automatic weapons, cold grey walls...felt like we'd entered a gulag. Then out another door, another bus ride, and onto another plane. That was my introduction to the "City of Lights." Really prefer Sacramento.

Bonita

Jul 20, 2026

Pay Attention with Intention

Technoshaman

Jul 20, 2026

Bayo, what airports can you think of as alternatives to the airport BECOMING?

Technoshaman Jul 20, 2026

By the way, I have a completely different experience of going through airports. I am aware of and accept that I am processed, which I cannot change. In those rare moments of meeting a beautifully diverse slice of humanity, I rejoice in expanding my nonjudgemental self observation to include them. I am in awe of our collective intelligence that create these extremely complex buildings, machinery, passageways and safety arrangements. I am patiently waiting for our collective wisdom to awaken to the possibility of the airport also serving our really meeting each other.

David Doane, author of A Psychotherapist's View of Reality

Jul 16, 2026

I agree that we become the airport in the sense that we are efficiently shaped to fit into its way of operating. Organizations including schools, churches, military, governments, courts, medical places, and most business offices typically demand the same and punish you if you don't comply. I think I became aware of that many years ago in my going to school and church, both of which worked on me and bent me to fit their demands, and their ways were not so quiet. I recognized early on what they were doing and went along with the game for a long time. What helps me develop an awareness of assemblages I'm part of is having been around awhile, learning to pay attention, and believing most assemblages exist first for their own thriving, not mine. I believe rare is the assemblage that enhances individual expression rather than restrict it. That said, I am sympathetic -- I know it's difficult to balance order and freedom in an assemblage.

Jagdish Dave

Jul 16, 2026

'Becoming Airports' evokes many ideas about my true identity. Who am I? Who are the travelers? Who is the pilot? What is my destination? These are important questions to ask and explore. The airplane represents the means of travel. The place where the plane is flying is the destination. The one flying the plane is me. The lives of the passengers depend on me. If I take a wrong turn, many lives may be lost. The airport awakens thoughts of many voyages in my mind. In the journey of my life, life moves like a river, taking many turns. I need to learn to move carefully. One mistake can change the course of a life. As I continue on my journey, I encounter many kinds of airports and many kinds of travelers. As the pilot, it is my responsibility to make the necessary adjustments and accommodations. One mistake could endanger the lives of those traveling with me. Who am I? What is my identity? Who shapes my identity? I am still on the path of discovery. Patience is my companion, an... View full comment