IN CASE YOU'RE BORED over the next few days, here are a pair of stories for you.This one is about a bicycle race through a North Philly junkyard. Fun stuff.
And this one is the lead article in the Philly Weekly's cover package about the new realities of crime in Philadelphia.
Enjoy your time off.
7 comments:
i really dislike the end quote of your crime story. how can he draw a difinitive line between "those who respect the law" and those who don't..meanwhile pretending those groups are not intextricably tied to race and status--in this city particularly but increasingly around the world. i dig your writing but i don't think this article is comprehensive.
what of the underlying reasons that stop people from 'cooperating.' i get the tone from your article that it's okay to demonize these 'criminals' because nobody cares enough to call tiplines and assist the police. step into any bodega on any given day and count the mugshots. people care. they just don't trust the police, and for much reason.
the unfortunate truth is that certain communities have been historically and systematically terrorized by the police. some individuals of particular race and status are treated disproportionately to others.
a human life is a human life and a dead cop doesn't wrench my heart any more than a dead 'criminal.'
I think the point the cops were trying to make is that cops symbolize peace, safety, protection.
But you are right: historically, cops have also represented oppression, violence, corruption and other horrible things. The police represent government and authority, neither of which is particularly trustworthy.
Disrespect for life is disrespect for life, no matter whether the victim is a cop, a drug dealer or anyone in between. But I do get the feeling that the desperation that allows people to kill police signifies an even greater desperation that says people will kill anyone necessary.
And that is pretty damn frightening.
We are reaching a breaking point. Crime is out of control. It's time for a revolution.
- George (the anti-violence teacher)
Enea said..
I agree with George. This has to stop and people should find other ways to deal with their situations without using guns.
i want to do that bike race after reading the article. it sounds like the coolest thing ever. as for the article on violence i like how it ended up talking about keeping kids in the city and attracting college students. i also agree with the argument that the violence is a problem facing journalist because with the smaller staffs its hard to keep up on the constantly growing problems. focusing on the major issues is the smart strategy to attacking the new in a city like killadelphia.
-crane
Do the bike race. I'll see you there.
- George (the crappy-bike riding teacher)
This is ironic. I just happened to pick up a Philadelphia Weekly for the first time the other day, A. because it was free in my building (a first-time activity which I will certainly make an effort to repeat!) and B. because I thought the cover article looked interesting. And relevant. True story. WEIRD.
When my friends back home ask me how Philadelphia is, I am sure to tell them about the booming culture and collegiate nightlife, shortly after I respond "Well, violent."
My personal fondness for Philadelphia would increase exponentially if it had the crime rate of, say, a foreign city...
There is no where in America I'd rather live than Philadelphia. It is real. And Philly folk are real ... warts and all.
You've got to respect that.
- George (the teacher)
Post a Comment