The Rizzo era is over, or is it?
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The Rizzo era is over, or is it?
The Rizzo name has hovered over Philadelphia's civic life for more than a half-century, ever since the day that (probably untrue) legend has it that Joe DiMaggio handed a cigarette to up-and-coming cop Frank Rizzo and hit a home run to win Game 2 of the 1950 World Series at Shibe Park. Four years after the nightstick-in-a-cumberbund ex-mayor died trying to win his old job back in 1991, his mild-mannered son also named Frank Rizzo was elected to City Council as a Republican, keeping the Rizzo name and legacy before the people of Philadelphia. What's more, a genration of tough-talking Rizzo acolytes remained in city politics -- none more Rizzo-esque and emblematiic of brass-knuckle 1970s rowhouse politics than seeming-city-commissioner-for-life Marge Tartaglione.
Tonight, in something of a shock, both Rizzo and Tartaglione are headed for defeat in their party primaries, something that would have once been unthinkable. It's tempting to look back on the racial divisiveness and brutality of the senior Rizzo years in the 1960s and '70s and make a blanket statement about a new era of brotherly love in Philadelphia. But the truth is, Rizzo and Tartaglione both lost not because their politics feel out of favor but because of old-fashioned greed; both chose to take part in the city's mad dash-for-retirement-cash known as DROP, and voters hammered them for it. But much of the racial, class and political mistrust that dominated the city in the 1970s still hangs on even as Rizzo junior and Tartaglione leave office -- it lingers on the streets and in the angry voices you here in talk radio or in the online comments of this website. The end of the Rizzo era? Not yet, and not any time soon.
Comments (36)
Other than the euphemism crack, I appreciate you not calling me a knuckle dragging racist. Educational attainment - here is a big disagreement. How long do you want to go back before your argument has merit? It is further back than just the previous generation (parents of today's children). You are absolutely correct in upward mobility being blocked in yesteryear, but that has just not been in place for at least two generations and there is little evidence of turning around the overall statistics of inner city schools. The opportunities are there, they are not being taken advantage of.
But, this like everything else, is a simplistic examination by two people posting on a blog. I guess my only point was I would like to see intellectually honest journalism. Understanding that this is a blog and not the newspaper, but I think (hope) you get my drift.— phillyjeffsr- I love how Will just tosses out the racist label whenever he feels like it. Apparently, anyone who doesn't agree with him is a racist. It must be nice to sit on Mount HaveNoSelfAwareness and judge everyone else.
— IggleFan68 - "You may not believe that an entire culture of dependance has been created due to the multitude of entitlement programs that have done more harm than good."
Given a long history of multi-generational poverty affecting some populations more than others, do you think that poverty in the black community is uniquely attributable to a "culture of dependency" (euphemism for laziness?) among blacks in America?
Granted, for many years in this country, social mobility was rather uniquely high for many in this country. That is no longer the case generally (there are other cultures were there is greater social mobility, and the ability for people to relatively easily make middle-class incomes is largely gone do to the diminishment in the % of our economy that comes from the manufacturing sector). But for most of that time, access to social mobility was systematically denied blacks. Perhaps you think that "institutional racism" no longer exists in this country. I wouldn't agree, but there is no doubt that there is an enormous impact due to a direct legacy of discrimination against blacks. For example, educational attainment - which correlates with class movement - is directly linked to the educational experiences of parents and grandparents. There is an impact that inevitably filters down through great-grandparents denied educational access, through grandparents and parents to children. This pattern is not unique to any one race or ethnicity.
Does that completely negate arguments that some level of responsibility for improvement lies at the feet of members of the black community? IMO, no. But arguments that milti-generational poverty exists simply because of social services are laughably simplistic. If someone adopts such an attitude, it is only reasonable to question what kinds of influences might lead to such simplistic thinking, and what kinds of media influences might foster such ignorance.— Talking point sleuth - MSL, it is pretty obvious from a the Drudge post and this one that, yes Will is putting the blame on whitey. Unfortunately words in text form do not come across as they do in audio form but we know what he means when he says talk radio and comments on the boards. I believe I read you are an attorney so have a field day with twisting words around but the truth is not a "strawman". One of the greatest obstacles we face today as a society is the fear of race. Mostly the blame falls on white people in power that refuse to address a very important issue. You may not believe that an entire culture of dependance has been created due to the multitude of entitlement programs that have done more harm than good. Not one single black person that I know is hesitant to openly discuss race and the emotions that come along with it - both good and bad. White people on the other hand, uneasiness to say the least. The evolution of our species, I believe, is being hampered by a basic lack of understanding of each other. If you look at how news stories are being pushed to the front or back of the agenda you can plainly see what type of story carries more weight with the MSM. I am open to opinions on why, but the only thing my simple mind can come with is an old fashioned superiority complex. I don't think the issue can be ignored - he!! just read the comments, people are thinking about it. I think it is a significant issue, but it also doesn't make a white person a racist to think there is a problem.— phillyjeffsr
- ===]]] There was a reason for Rizzo's popularity...and it had nothing to do with racism. [[[===
Oh. Brother. That's a good one, legatus.
— Talking point sleuth - "But much of the racial, class and political mistrust that dominated the city in the 1970s still hangs on even as Rizzo junior and Tartaglione leave office -- it lingers on the streets and in the angry voices you here in talk radio or in the online comments of this website"
That has to be a joke right? Come on, you can't really be that blind. Nobody could possibly blame whitey for the racial divisiveness that exists in this city today.
You always soften your criticism of the Democratic machine in place today by mentioning the Republicans did it too almost 50 years ago. But the issues plaguing the city today are not the result of whitey acting like the blue eyed devil here. Wow, another instance of Progressives taking up the cause of protecting black people from being held to the same standard. It's transparent Will. The Democrats in this city have created the mess the citizens are in. It also can only be fixed by the Democrats because I can't imagine Republicans ever having a punching chance in City Council and definitely never again being Mayor. Although, I think Nutter has done as good a job as possible with what he inherited from Mr. Street.— phillyjeffsr - "Nobody could possibly blame whitey for the racial divisiveness that exists in this city today." . . . . No one's blaming "whitey" as far as I can see, or suggesting blacks be held to any lower standard. It's these kinds of strawmen that perpetuate the divisiveness.
Comment removed.- "for all his Nixonian faults (most notably his thinking that he could beat a polygraph when dared by the Daily News), Philly remained relatively tranquil during the turbulent 60s and managed to avoid the fate of Detroit and Newark. The press sensationalized everything except the fact that Rizzo was relatively progressive in the hiring, promotion, and integration of black officers in the PPD during the 60s." msl...Don't confuse our NY-bred blogger with facts that contradict the narrative that was fed to him by his colleagues. There was a reason for Rizzo's popularity...and it had nothing to do with racism. That divisive canard was foisted upon him by the party machine which wanted Wilson Goode elected at all costs. It worked.— legatus
- Bunch needs to understand, Rizzo was an Italian Catholic from the means streets of South Philly, a working class civil servant who scraped his way to the top by the force of his ego. He was resented by much of the WASP establishment that controlled party politics and the media in Philly. Granted, he played the opposite end of the race card when it suited him, like Nixon's southern strategy, but a racist he was not.
Whatever happened to the press as the fourth estate? Instead we get drivel from this guy...liberal leaning crud from the rest of the paper instead of unbiased fact reporting--Will..you are a clown.- Yes, the infamous "liberal media" card. Georgel said it best: "It's easier than looking in the mirror and self critizing for failure. Failure to get an education, take a risk to advance or, simply put, take charge of their own life." Bingo.
- quite a fine education you got sitting in mom's basement. you must feel good seeing your name in the online edition of the daily news..hey, reach for the stars big guy.
- Racial discrimination lawsuit at the School District of Philadelphia? Page 17 in your DN? Oh, that's why...— phillyjeffsr
- No matter what happens, libs always base any outcome they don't like on race. Any perceived inequality on race. Any societal problem on race. It's their default mode. It's easier than looking in the mirror and self critizing for failure. Failure to get an education, take a risk to advance or, simply put, take charge of their own life. Some times it is about race. But not everything, as our intrepid blogger tries to assert, is. Life ain't fair. Discrimination exits-age, race, gender, etc. Always has. Likelly will never go away. It's human nature to want to feel better in some way than other people. A human character flaw if you will. Look at the tribal warfare in the old Soviet Union.All of the "Stans" are fighting each other. Get on with your life!Don't permit yourself to be a victim. Stop flogging the guilt card!Stop playing the race card. It's getting frayed.— georgel
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- Somehow I just can't picture Frank ever singing The Yellow Rose of Texas either.
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- Ironic that Street's defense was the Tea Party's claim that the income tax is unconstitutional. You guys should hail him as a hero, no?
- There was nothing to separate Frannie Rizzo from other pols in this town. There won't be a statue anywhere. The Rizzo Era, for better or worse, ended long ago.— Justin Case
- Actually there is a statue in Center City, but let's not quibble. The Rizzo era died with Rizzo, because it was all about his ego. Yet for all his Nixonian faults (most notably his thinking that he could beat a polygraph when dared by the Daily News), Philly remained relatively tranquil during the turbulent 60s and managed to avoid the fate of Detroit and Newark. The press sensationalized everything except the fact that Rizzo was relatively progressive in the hiring, promotion, and integration of black officers in the PPD during the 60s. We'll never know how much that helped in keeping Philly's racial tension a war of words for the most part.
- The Loyal Opposition buried Rizzo. The GOP gets rid of their theives; the Liberal Democrats elect their criminals to City Council President.— Kaiser Sosa
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Rizzo and Traglione are a disgrace to GREED!— Kevinmac- Case in point...Squilla won in the first district despite a choice of two good reform candidates. Squilla was, essentially, hand picked by DiCicco to be his successor. DiCicco also grabbed for the gusto with DROP. The new councilman seems to have little or no political experience so who do you think will really be running the show? As long as we have business as usual in council we will be stuck with the same old, corrupt ways of doing things and the city will remain a backwater.— InNane
- Squilla was Johnny Doc's guy. Get a clue Dude. — Kaiser Sosa
- They both because of low turnout. The trained masses didn't feel like going out in the rain
- well at least something relevant and even timely wow.— rysagr
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