Being white in Philly: A Discussion of the Philadelphia Magazine article (Liberty: food, farmers)

[maf763]

Originally Posted by Kukla65th

As to whether he envisioned so many whites pretending they're not like him, is another story.

Not all whites are afraid of blacks, so there's no need to project your own beliefs on others. That's exactly the kind of thinking that creates the fear.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by rick0547

I read that article in the Philly.com which related to an alleged uptick in Philly's white population and a decline in Philly's Black population. I examined the US Census data (current) and Philly's Black population including the designation "Black alone and/or in combination with another race" indicates that Philly's Black population is fairly stable- even becoming more diverse. With the exception of areas such as Bridesburg. Pennsport, Tacony, Roxborough, and Packer Park, the Philly's white population is vastly different from the white ethnic communities which dominated Philly's demographic landscape dring the 50's, 60's and 70's. Among US cities with over 200K in Population, only two (Philly and Cleveland) have Latino populations that are Majority Puerto Rican (65-70%). 42% of Philly's middle class population is Black. Juniata Park seems like a lower middle to middle class Puerto Rican community i the same manner that West oak Lane is middle class Black and African-American or Packer Park is middle class Italian American. Center City communities are growing in population and influence in our city. It seemed to me that the Philly Mag article tried to speak to and for these folks. The twin issues of race and economic advancement are of course paramount in Philly- one of Amerca's poorer cities

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Slightly off-topic but: while I suppose I figured there would be a decent Hispanic population in Cleveland, it never occurred to me that there would be significant number of Puerto Ricans.

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by Kukla65th

The article was so "controversial" precisely because it touched sensitive nerves in both black and white people about how both groups act. I still cannot believe people continue to pretend they do not act anything like the guy that wrote the article. It is precisely the wave of s(&t this guy took especially from supposedly liberal, high educational attainment whites (sorry just using jargon that says exactly what I mean) that told me he accomplished what he set out to do - make people talk about race. As to whether he envisioned so many whites pretending they're not like him, is another story.

If he had written a story about the silent but deadly issue of white fear of using the public schools, regardless of their academic performance, he'd have needed 24-hour security guards after publication of the article, I guess.

It really didn't "make people talk about race" in any constructive way- it was very poorly written and filled with seemingly made up stories and anecdotes, over-analyzation and very tired cliches.

It was only controversial because of the Magazine which printed it (an out-of touch rag that nobody in the actual city reads or respects) and the dramatic title and cover.

It did breathe some life into Philly Mag for a few weeks-which was probably the only intention. It really was made into a bigger deal than it deserved.

[Larry Bowa]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

It really didn't "make people talk about race" in any constructive way- it was very poorly written and filled with seemingly made up stories and anecdotes, over-analyzation and very tired cliches.

It was only controversial because of the Magazine which printed it (an out-of touch rag that nobody in the actual city reads or respects) and the dramatic title and cover.

It did breathe some life into Philly Mag for a few weeks-which was probably the only intention. It really was made into a bigger deal than it deserved.

I didn't sense any "made up stories and anecdotes" " or "very tired cliches." Which are you referring to?

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by Larry Bowa

I didn't sense any "made up stories and anecdotes" " or "very tired cliches." Which are you referring to?

Maybe not made up stories but he seemed to try to paint a picture as if everyone was walking on egg shells in the city and concerned about race all the time-that is most certainly not my experience in the least bit, but then again I grew up in the city as a white kid in a majority black neighborhood and live in one now. This guy seems to really have some personal issues with race being that he thinks about it non-stop on his daily interactions with people and is so afraid to say what's on his mind.

I suppose someone's experience is different if they grew up in Idaho then moved to Fairmount-or if they are supposedly from Russia hopping out of Beemers. I doubt this guy is from the city or has even lived here long and I don't think he has the credibility to write about these issues. As was mentioned by some people in the comments middle and upper class blacks are also effected by city crime and entrenched urban poverty, and probably to a larger degree.

[FKD19124]

Love the drama! Really? he acts he never hears the word before.

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

This article should be renamed "Being SWPL in Philadelphia." I bet this guy only drives three major thoroughfares in the entire city: Lincoln Drive, Kelly Drive and City Ave.

This article is more or less geared to white liberals who are afraid to say what they often think. So he uses these little anecdotes to communicate ideas that he would not really want attributed to himself:

"I talked to a guy named Harry. 'When did Philadelphia become a bad place to live?' I asked. 'When the n****** came,' he responded. I was shocked and appalled. Mortified and petrified. But at the same time, it's a fair question...did black people ruin Philadelphia??"

Plausible deniability, sarcasm and irony is coin of the realm for these jerk-wads.

[Larry Bowa]

Originally Posted by FKD19124

Love the drama! Really? he acts he never hears the word before.

LOL! @"Mortified and petrified."

[Larry Bowa]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

Maybe not made up stories but he seemed to try to paint a picture as if everyone was walking on egg shells in the city and concerned about race all the time-that is most certainly not my experience in the least bit, but then again I grew up in the city as a white kid in a majority black neighborhood and live in one now. This guy seems to really have some personal issues with race being that he thinks about it non-stop on his daily interactions with people and is so afraid to say what's on his mind.

I suppose someone's experience is different if they grew up in Idaho then moved to Fairmount-or if they are supposedly from Russia hopping out of Beemers. I doubt this guy is from the city or has even lived here long and I don't think he has the credibility to write about these issues. As was mentioned by some people in the comments middle and upper class blacks are also effected by city crime and entrenched urban poverty, and probably to a larger degree.

Of course he would come across as thinking about race non-stop - that's what the story's about ... I doubt he thinks about it all the time.
I do believe that people dwell on race, but only when applicable ...

[LibertyandJusticeforAll]

Philadelphia is like all other major cities, people vote for more free stuff, people who were paying for all the free stuff move out and major cities fall apart and wonder why nobody good is left to keep up the free money local city political figures promise. You find this in washington dc too but its hard to escape the feds and the irs.

Whatever RACE you are in Philadelphia I find that most people will act like animals and less like the city of brotherly love. The white trash ne philly and the west Philly black neighborhood is like most cities drugs, robberies and murders and trash and dirty everywhere because the people who have stuff given to them free, food stamps, welfare checks throw crap all over the ground act like animals. If they aren't in Philly they are right across the river in Camden nj.

The only places left clean are places where tourist come and major sporting events and places were PRIVATE money not government money is spent.

[maf763]

Originally Posted by LibertyandJusticeforAll

Philadelphia is like all other major cities, people vote for more free stuff, people who were paying for all the free stuff move out and major cities fall apart and wonder why nobody good is left to keep up the free money local city political figures promise. You find this in washington dc too but its hard to escape the feds and the irs.

Whatever RACE you are in Philadelphia I find that most people will act like animals and less like the city of brotherly love. The white trash ne philly and the west Philly black neighborhood is like most cities drugs, robberies and murders and trash and dirty everywhere because the people who have stuff given to them free, food stamps, welfare checks throw crap all over the ground act like animals. If they aren't in Philly they are right across the river in Camden nj.

The only places left clean are places where tourist come and major sporting events and places were PRIVATE money not government money is spent.

Do you know that somewhere in the neighborhood of half a billion government dollars went into funding the stadiums for the Eagles and the Phillies?

The rest of your post shows a similar level of accuracy and doesn't merit further response..