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Both cities have rich black history. DC is referred to as Chocolate City, and Philadelphia has a reputation for being a mecca for black muslims. I think this is a fair comparison.
DC all day. Philly has no answer for Howard University and all of the inventors, scholars and leaders that have grace that campus. Before their was a Harlem Renaissance, U Street/Ledroit Park area was termed the "Black Broadway" by the white media. DC has always been the home to prosperous blacks. Even today, some of the most well know entertainers, academics, athletes are from the DMV.
From an historical standpoint blacks have been living in Philly as free people longer than any other US city. Duboise wrote a book entitled "The Philadelphia negro" which chronicled America's oldest and most wealthy class of free blacks. Philly also led the way in abolishing slavery. DC also has a very rich black history, considering it started out as basically a massive plantation and was built by slave labor. Black culture dominates the DMV, and there's no question, it's the blacker of the two metros.
going by black history and black influence the answer is philly all day.
-w.e.b. dubuis and the philadelphia negro
-lincoln and cheyney university both in the metro, lincoln being the first african american university in the entire country
-richard allen and mother bethel and the beginnings of the abolitionist movement
-absolom jones first ordained episcopal priest and his movement
philadelphia is basically the first place blacks could rise to affluence and wealth... which means power. power to do some real important things.
i don't even think d.c. is in the running for most important black cities by this criteria, new york, detroit, even chicago of more importance.
DC's black influence wields much more power. DC was one of the first cities where blacks held elected power. DC is also home to influentials like Duke Ellington. Philly's black elite are all but gone. Cheney and Lincoln can't compare to the richness and educational output of Howard University. DC has always been a place where blacks were able to spread their wings. From Frederick Douglas to Dr. Charles Drew to Marvin Gaye, DC is the black mecca.
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