Event organized to enlighten those behind Philly Mag's 'Being White in Philly' piece
Organizers hope Philadelphians of all races will turn out next week for an event at Love Park called "Being in Philly." The gathering, scheduled for 4 p.m. on March 20, is in response to a controversial Philadelphia magazine cover story called "Being White In Philly." In the piece, based on anonymous interviews, Ron Huber makes the claim that white people are afraid to talk about race for fear of being called racist.
Event organized to enlighten those behind Philly Mag's 'Being White in Philly' piece
Jenice Armstrong, Daily News Columnist
UPDATE: The Being in Philly event has been postponed due to possibily inclement weather.
Organizers hope Philadelphians of all races will turn out next week for an event at Love Park called “Being in Philly.” The gathering, scheduled for 4 p.m. on March 20, is in response to a controversial Philadelphia magazine cover story called “Being White In Philly.” In the piece, based on anonymous interviews, Robert Huber makes the claim that white people are afraid to talk about race for fear of being called racist.
The article has a lot of problems, many of them well documented already. But the first-day-of-spring event isn’t so much to address the issue of bad journalism but to present another view of what’s happening in Philly.
“The goal is to have an intellectual dialogue and discourse that promotes a positive outcome and interactive cultural understanding,” Chris Norris, a lead organizer, told me last week.
Organizers also hope to bring Huber, the author of ‘Being White in Philly,’ to Love Park to introduce him around.
“To introduce him to organizations like Rising Sons and to introduce him to the Black Male Engagement Project that the Knight Foundation is spending millions and millions of dollars on to change the narrative in this city and Baltimore and Detroit. To introduce him to people like Gregory Walker (founder of the Brothers Network)…Gregory Corbin and Solomon Jones. That’s the goal. Not to make him feel scared, to make him feel like there’s going to be an angry black mob waiting for him. That there’s going to be intellectual black men waiting with open arms to embrace him because, hey, he needs a hug. “
Organizers hope Philly mag will respond by writing some sort of piece of follow up to Huber’s piece.
“We want to encourage Philly magazine to write a part 2 (called) being a Philadelphian. Not being white. Not being black. But being a Philadelphian. That’s really important,” pointed out Rashaun Williams, 18, a Temple University sociology and history major who's helping organize the gathering.
In addition to all that, organizers say there will be free musical performances and a water ice giveaway. Editors at Philly mag also have been invited.
March cover of Philadelphia.
Comments (130)
Philly Mag's goal has been accomplished. I'm sure all they wanted to do was generate buzz for the story, not actually put out a piece of responsible journalism.— NotMyRealName123- No comment ...
— Copper34 - Did Jenice Armstrong really just almost accuse someone else of "bad journalism?" LOL - that's great!
Hey Jenice, do you solemnly vow to one day show us all what good journalism looks like? Ha ha ha
By the way hon, Phillydotcom's built-in spellchecker labels your first name as a misspelled word! Peace out. - Toby, Oprah and Obama until very (VERY) recently also were not in spellcheckers.
In a slanted society that blames Blacks for urban crime while glorifying the Mafia and making another movie about 'Jack the Ripper' you raise a good point.— Cuddles 
...just leave us regular white guys alone and stop being a victim...pleeze...- Why give these attention mongers the publicity (and money) they are looking for. Cancel the mag, ignore the website and live by the golden rule in the city of brotherly love.— Earl J
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Maybe if the "Race Card" was not constantly played over and over again.....things would be different....— Manny Trillo - How condescending can you get? It wasn't bad jounalism because it has the white liberal apologist all in a tither and the black professional whiners shrilling. Way to go Mr Huber we need more jounalist like you.— MWW-54
- I enjoyed the article and have had similar experiences. I worked in Logan and Olney for years and and was called a racist more than you can imagine. I was a standard customer service job, but still, any time I upheld a policy, I was racist. Good job Philly Mag for finally saying it. — gillo79
- Manny, of the first four comments, you're the only one that got it right. Us white folk are tired of being painted as priveliged and entitled, while living through the John Street era of "the Brothas and Sisters are running the city. he forgot to mention right into the ground.— jcc1960
- Hmmm, I never got the "entitled" part. Privileged and rich, yes.
But, I remember the day Street made that infamous comment. All I could say is, "I didn't vote for him". But, it sure did marginalize me. But, you can't expect anything less from him.— PotteryPete - So much for "not being white, not being black but being a Philadelphian," huh? Nice comments, guys.— NotMyRealName123
- Sadly, to a certain degree in Philly, if you are white and criticize another person from another group, you run the risk of being profiled as a racist. Remember reporter Jeff Cole when he exposed a councilman's staffer who was paid full time to work part time? She accused Cole of being a member of the KKK.— TR3
- She was an obvious idiot, using stupid folks to justify your point is not helping your argument. I agree there are many false claims of racism but there are also legitimate issues that many whites like to ignore.
— daphillytarheel - Ok so let's look at the Duke case... no not that one how about the Brawley case in NY... not that one either...There are SOOOOO many claims of racism that I get tired of hearing it, maybe that's why I tend to ignore them. I tend to think that if there were as many cases as claimed our courts would be jammed with these cases. — jimday
- She was an obvious idiot, using stupid folks to justify your point is not helping your argument. I agree there are many false claims of racism but there are also legitimate issues that many whites like to ignore. (HTML deleted) — daphillytarheel
- However, there are not only racists here in Philly on all sides, but also cultural bigots. In other words, people who share the same race with the very people they stereotype, both blacks and whites.— TR3
- Not only are the liberal social welfare policies failing miserably across America, the liberals running our cities into the ground, their mouthpieces in the media maintain they cannot even be questioned about it. Very tolerant and open-minded, huh? We might as well pack it in.— tr88
- so move already. there are plenty of conservative parts of the states you would be much more comfortable in. Oklahoma City is supposed to be prospering and it has not been run into the ground. they even have a good basketball team. liberals live in the northeast corridor.
- "That there’s going to be intellectual black men waiting with open arms to embrace him" The intellectual brotha is not the problem in Philly.— jimday
- The Philly Mag audience is a white suburban gated community crowd. It most certainly isn't a white Philadelphian audience. The whites in Philly like it here, despite our brutally corrupt local and state governments (and corruption is an equal opportunity sport--see, Fumo, V. and Asher, R.). Whether we be the liberals of the Northwest or, shall we say, "more conservative" types in the Northeast, hipsters in Fishtown or the combination of yuppies and empty nesters in Center City, 95% of us are here by choice. And believe me, from the constant comments here, there is no fear of raising the race card from either side. So let's pipe down the hatred, and leave it for those who actually read Philly Mag out on the Main Line. And let's put up some candidates for City Council who promise not to be corrupt.— Palestra Jon
- I'd like to see Huber write a part 2 called "what it's like when the liberal thought police come for you".— tr88
- the fact that the article got so much criticism pretty much proved his point.— theeman1
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I dunno about too many Hispanic folks attending this one. A black cop punched a Puerto Rican lady's teeth in and got away with it because the judge was white. I think being Hispanic in Philly has its challenges. Don't you, Miss. Jenice?— Tyrone Biggums Jr.- That incident was neither black nor white, but BLUE. Judge's wife is a Philly police officer. This is the real story of Philly -- poor white and black folks squabbling over crumbs while those in power take full advantage.
phunnyphilly.wordpress.com— InNane - "The article has a lot of problems, many of them well documented already. But the first-day-of-spring event isn’t so much to address the issue of bad journalism but to present another view of what’s happening in Philly." That's sure some fine journalism there.
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I would be leery that one of those people would steal my purse or run me over with a skateboard. I'll pass and wait for the civil disobedience issues on the ten o'clock news.- Ill say it.... Black culture in America is severely dysfunctional.... So quit blaming me.— Gimmemyfreestuff
- gimmemyfreestuff...you were so close. just didn't need to include 'black' in your statement.— snowboardwcu
- i dont think tr88 likes liberals.— snowboardwcu
- You must not have an opinion. You will not believe your own experiences. You will submit or be re-educated.— goodbye
- Don't bother showing up, white people. Nobody cares what you have to say. You'll always be racist,— Smooth88
- The event articles need to draw many Caucasian philadelphians to this event, not just the author of the article.— farhorizons
- I think Ms. Armstrong's article is a great example that when a white person speaks up about race, they get slandered by the press and labeled as racist by the media & community activists groups. I guess freedom of speech is only for non-white Americans.— BigE
- Why don't they invite a Wolfpack to the meeting. Than you will a true answer to what the title of the story is about.— watsonmr
- I agree wholeheartedly BigE. It's not easy being white in Philly. Remember,not one of those black kids that formed mobs and attacked white people,while yelling racial slurs mind you, got charged with a hate crime. I'm not even sure that anyone was arrested.Also,anytime a white person speaks up about the black people in this city they get reamed.Also,why is it that the so called leader of the black panther group can stand in a corner and rant and spew racial hatred and is tolerated. Where is the media then>— miller71
- When it comes to race in Philadelphia it is a very touchie subject to talk about let alone have the courage to write an article in Philadelphia magazine. Mr.Hubert she be applauded for his article for bring something to the table that many white philadelphian's are to scared to talk about. Being as I am from south philadelphia and i am a white person living in this city my whole life and have attended college locally. I agree with many with 95% of Mr. Huberts article. espically the conclusion. However for many non-whites who read this article have taken offense for him not asking a black person perspective. It would not make sense to ask a non- white person because the article is giving the white perspective. However he does ask a immigrant european and other individuals whom moved to this city from out side of it. How ever being as if i said i am from South Philly i have to cite an article written on March 24, 2011 " A wary Point Breeze confronts its demographic shifts" by Natalie Pompilio and William Bender. In this article the address the confrontation of the native point breeze residents and developers who are buying up the properties and fixing them up. The article pertaints to taxes and many other ethical issues. But one comment in the article sticks out from that of a local point breeze resident whom commentted that "she'd rather see a vacant lot with a drug dealer in it than white people gardening,".
This article in march 2011 was very confertational but it made me as native white south philadelphia resident very upset and uneased that it was okay for a person of color to make this comment. Fastward to March of 2013 the article "being white in Philly" came out and it spoke many volumne to how i feel as being a native south philly resident and have the same view points as those in this article from fairmount and other northern regions of Philadelphia.
I apologize for any typo's or misspelling i am on my phone and it is being very difficult.— milkiemilk - Huber's Philly mag piece was one of the best local articles I read in years. He fairly chronicles the plight of white working class folks who live fear of the predatory actions of blacks in surrounding neighborhoods. Having grown up in north Philly I appreciated the candid presneetation of this reality. Not from a racist perspective but simply a realist perspective. If you are a white working class resident, you need to adapt to a growing population of black young men who grow up without fathers and in many cases who lack opportunity to do better; but also in many cases who lack drive or work ethic.
Again, ,it is the reality that many hardworking black and white citizens must deal with. The erosion of the black family unit along with the proliferation of crime has degraded the quality of life in this city. To have an author ariticulate the frustration of many white citizens in not being able to ariticulate this reality (for fear of being branded a racist) is a great service.
Kudos Robert Huber.— BillMcG - This event will not accomplish the goals proposed. The only way to have real dialogue is to have it between "everyday" blacks, whites, and other races.
Once you get the "experts," the academics, and the extremists (on both sides) involved, you lose what people around the water cooler are thinking and feeling.— LT4 .jpg)
I may go with my mic and do some spoken-word for the crowd.— Lil Tyreese Biggums- Palestra Jon... What the h$ll are you smoking? "White suburban gated community" 95% here by choice--there is no fear of raising the race card from either side. You are just kidding yourself. I think the "whites" might want to elect another spokesperson, because you are ridiculous.— jimday
- Try reading the post before you spout nonsense, Jimmy. Philly Mag has a readership of 95% suburban readers. No one reads it in the City itself. But I live in Mt. Airy--so I voluntarily live with my black brethren. It's one of the safest areas of the City, as opposed to those areas where the reaction to a black person moving in is to put up the For Sale signs and run away. Look, no one supports crime or corruption. But it is the sign of a small mind to blame anyone with black skin for all crime. There is plenty of crime committed by white people too. But mindless hatred like you exhibit would be better off in South Jersey, where most of the like-minded people have moved. Meanwhile, the white population of Philadelphia has increased for 20 years. Goodbye. — Palestra Jon
- Palestra Jon, have you looked at the crime statistics in Philadelphia lately? — Doyoumissbushyet?
- So let me get this straight Jen,its alright for you to put a racial spin to almost every article you write,but when a White Reporter does it, its wrong.Another reason why your paper and you, lack any credibility.— suits
- This is actually funny. The reaction to this article proves the point--white people cannot bring up race without being labeled as racist. The subject of what it's like being "white" can't even be brought up without minorities rallying as if they've been wronged. If the article was titled "Being Black in Philly" no one would say a word. The thing is, most everyday citizens--of all races--probably don't care that much. It's the grandstanders and "columnists" like this one who see an easy opportunity for attention or an easy "column" without leaving her desk. And as for this "columnist" she is a joke. If she weren't black AND a woman she would not even be working in a market this size. She talks of "bad journalism"? Seriously? She writes that problems with the article are already well-documented and doesn't even bother to give her reader the slightest idea what they might be. A real journalist would not do that. She is a bad "journalist," and worse, a lazy one. But then she'd just accuse me of being racist for daring to lodge legitimate criticisms of someone of color.— bemused
- Any person of color under the age of 50 has no right to play the oppressed minority card since they've lived in a black majority in this city in a post-civil rights era for their entire lives. We're even 2 generations removed from the Rizzo boys. Black mayors for 21 of the past 29 years. The article was fair and even-handed, got perspectives from long time residents as well as newcomers. Maybe the intellectual black men should have a talk with the non-intellectual ones that perpetuate stereotypes and act like the Philly whites deserve their comeuppance.— Santa Satan
- echoing so many before me, especially @bemused, in saying just how funny this all is. I love how this author and, trust me, she could line up 10 of her white brethren to back her up, actually presents this stuff as legitimate, that the white Philadelphian has no reason to fear speaking his mind due to the inevitable cries of racism.
No, that's not true, right? It is just a figment of our collective imagination. It's all good, people of all colors can speak of the city's problems regardless of race, and there will be no recrimination at all.
And the Easter Bunny will be coming along in about 20 days by my count, too.
Let's try no to ever change what is already not working...let's continue to ignore the problems in the black community and castigate any white person for daring to mention it.
Jenice - when you and your Philly Mag brethren bring this author around to introduce him to select upstanding black groups, why not detour him and drop him off somewhere in North Philly and count to see how long it takes for him to find his way back.— advantasux 
Jen...you are my hero. So many things in this society are downgrading to African Americans, and many white Americans just don't get it.— BOOKKA- I don't get it....
— DixonBunz - Great article in Philly Mag. Thanks for sharing .— Gone Sovereign
- "suits" tells it like it is.
- I'm sorry for being white. I appreciated the Philly article. I appreciated the home-invasion which occurred two days later just off the Temple campus even more.
— fire fighter - The criticisms generated by the article demonstrate why there never will be a discussion about race. No matter what whites say, they're labelled racists while those following the party line, i.e., it isn't black folks fault they commit the most crimes of any ethnic group, are always right. Hey, when blacks stop committing crimes at the rates they do, stop having multiple kids they can't or won't take care of, and stop acting up in school so that those who want to be educated can, maybe the views held by whites will change. Hey , when the likes of Jesse Jackson and Juan Williams feel afraid when they see a large group of blacks, why can't white people?.— JohnnyB.
- Want to see a racist? Think Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton.
www.RecallBlondellReynoldsBrown.org— SPENDSPEND - Horrid article— jonline
- I'm white. Rode the EL to 56th and Market everyday for 2nd shift--I have enough material to write a mini series--don't need some guilty white "journalist" to explain the situation to me, with some mealy-mouthed account about what's it's like "Being White in Philly"--ride the EL at 1 am, Mr. Huber, you'll find out about "Being White in Philly"— frontandwildey
- Did someone say free water ice???— PhillyBoy
- Anyone see the last episode of 'Saturday Night Live?' Oh wait, I must've wandering in the wrong comments section. This one seems to be full of white people shrugging their shoulders at how being blamed for being racist constantly has sadly become the norm.— gilligan
- Have at it, racists!— Bartleby
- Haha! — Doyoumissbushyet?
- Is the basic premise of the article have a lot of validity? Sure it does. What it a really well-written article that relied upon facts and other stats along a really comprehensive series of detailed interviews of various whites living in Philly? No it was an article written to generate attention to a magazine that has been flailing badly and it did just that.
I'm white and moved back to Philly a few years ago and it amazes me how little has changed. Everyone is still in viewed through the prism of black-white relations which just isn't remotely the case in a lot of other parts of the country today due to demographic changes.— PhillyGuy77 - i didn't notice a single thing untrue in that article. blacks are so much more racist than whites its become laughable, especially in philly. I've never met a more hostile or unwelcoming group of people in my life. but hey, at least they contribute to society right?— thomas21
- Liberal: "We need to have an open, honest discussion about race." White person: "Ok, here are some things I've been thinking about." Liberal: "Shut up."— b,ill a,tkins
- If the bad journalists are complaining about "bad journalism", Huber hit the mark.— rudytbone
- The problem with liberals is that they want to feel that they are good people without doing anything good. The facts are that so many hardworking and honorable African Americans are being held hostage by a culturally deprived underclass of irresponsible criminals who produce children but don't raise them. I remember when Bill Cosby began his TV show that portrayed a closeknit and loving African American family. Bill played the role of a physician, his wife was a lawyer and his children were all good kids who cared about school. The initial reviews by the white liberal critics criticized Cosby for acting in a white show and not being authentic. Fortunately, Cosby is an intelligent man who answered their attacks with wisdom and in effect, told them to shut up. He asked them why they thought it was wrong to portray a black family as loving, intelligent, and responsible and they had no answer.— Drumgoole
- I've lived in Center City over 20 years, don't own a car so I've ridden the EL, taught at WPHS, and worked for the city. I've also lived in two other major US cities (E and W coast) and I'm white. There is something wrong with Philadelphia and it's attitude. Lot's of educated folks who move here from elsewhere say the same thing. It's not really ethnicity that's the problem. Many YOkels are obsessed by class and this morphs into a kind of bigotry -- it's stunning and like something from an earlier era. Some of the dumbest, scariest people I've ever met in my life are white Philadelphians. I found Mummer's day scarier than walking through the Greek picnic traffic jams.
No ethnic group has an exclusive on bad behavior, but you white residents are way off base to think that your black counterparts are any worse.
phunnyphilly.wordpress.com— InNane - Hello. What world do you live in?
Blacks are seven times more likely than people of other races to commit murder,
and eight times more likely to commit robbery.
• When blacks commit crimes of violence, they are nearly three times more likely
than non-blacks to use a gun, and more than twice as likely to use a knife.
• Hispanics commit violent crimes at roughly three times the white rate, and
Asians commit violent crimes at about one quarter the white rate.
• The single best indicator of violent crime levels in an area is the percentage of
the population that is black and Hispanic.— Gone Sovereign - Hello. What world do you live in? Blacks are seven times more likely than people of other races to commit murder,and eight times more likely to commit robbery.• When blacks commit crimes of violence, they are nearly three times more likelythan non-blacks to use a gun, and more than twice as likely to use a knife.• Hispanics commit violent crimes at roughly three times the white rate, andAsians commit violent crimes at about one quarter the white rate.• The single best indicator of violent crime levels in an area is the percentage ofthe population that is black and Hispanic. (HTML deleted) — Gone Sovereign
- You are spot-on InNane. There are two groups of whites in Philadelphia--those who are educated, open minded and are moving to Philadelphia in droves, and the somewhat bitter and openly racist ones who are best represented by the Mummers. Everything is viewed in their perspective from a black-white spectrum. Although you can read post after post complaining about black crime, few of them have been affected by it--far more are affected by the regular alcoholic murders which occur in their own neighborhoods--remember poor Kimberly Ernest? The vast majority of black crime is committed against blacks--a terrible thing, but is nothing that affects the complainers here. Yet since the fall of Frank Rizzo and what he represented (not a good thing), these people do nothing but complain, usually in the refrain that the "bruthas and sistas" are now in charge. Those who live in the many mixed racial areas of Philadelphia such as Northwest and University City see things much differently. Again, demographics speak for themselves and whites are moving into Philadelphia at an increasing rate---they are not moving out. — Palestra Jon
- Of the nearly 770,000 violent interracial crimes committed every year involving
blacks and whites, blacks commit 85 percent and whites commit 15 percent.
• Blacks commit more violent crime against whites than against blacks. Fortyfive
percent of their victims are white, 43 percent are black, and 10 percent are
Hispanic. When whites commit violent crime, only three percent of their victims are
black.
• Blacks are an estimated 39 times more likely to commit a violent crime against
a white than vice versa, and 136 times more likely to commit robbery.
• Blacks are 2.25 times more likely to commit officially-designated hate crimes
against whites than vice versa.
Nice try Jon dont let the facts get in the way.— Gone Sovereign - Nothing like printing verbatim without attribution a quote from a right wing blog that has nothing to do with Philadelphia. (here's where this is from: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2871054/posts) Let's simply make up facts, in other words. The FACTS are that in Philadelphia, 90% of murders are black on black. It's all drug related and those whites who participate in the drug trade get their share. Non-drug related murder and personal crime is pretty low in Philadelphia, believe it or not. I would venture to guess that few if any of the posters have been the victim of violent crime. If they have, the overwhelming likelihood is that they knew their attacker. It wasn't crime that caused virtually all the whites in the lower Northeast, and Elmwood and the Southwest to move out---it was racist fears and redlining by corrupt real estate brokers. Contrast that with the white in-movement to formerly minority areas such as Northern Liberties, Fairmount/Girard, Point Breeze, as well as the continued in-migration to Center City, South Philly, University City and Mount Airy and what becomes apparent is that all whites are not the same. Those terrified of living with black people will leave, but the City is better off for it. — Palestra Jon
- And what Fact was'nt correct? Thats what I thought. You are right 90% of the murders in Philly are black on black. You cant dispute the fact that blacks target whites way more then whites target blacks yet the media will have you believe that most interracial crimes are white on black. — Gone Sovereign
- You're right. It's a class thing. I was raised in an upper middle class suburb. There were black families, but they were like us - educated, employed, comfortable. When I moved into the city 25 years ago, it was a major culture shock. It took me a long time to reconcile that I'm intolerant of low-class behavior not racist. — PotteryPete
- That Miss. Janice got a fivehead.— Lil Tyreese Biggums
- This article's intentions were to give some individuals a peaceful forum to voice their opinions on some of the issues
they deal with daily. Unfortunately, many white Philadelphians are unable to voice their opinions for fear of being labeled
a racist. Having a forum at Love Park on March 20th to discuss these issues sounds like a good idea but unfortunately it has the potential to be an absolutely disaster. Groups will be spinning this article into something totally different.— Doyoumissbushyet? - I MEAN THE BROTHAS AND SISTAS NOW RUN THIS CITY!!!!!!!
HOW RACIST CAN YOU GET GO TO THE COUNTER OF THE TAX REVENUE DEPARTMENT AT MUNICIIPAL SERVICE BUILDING LET THAT RACIST FAT BLACK PIG WAIT ON YOU YOURLL GET RACISM FIRST HAND THE PROBLEM ISNT RACIST WHITES ITS THE RACIST BLACKS LIKE DARRYL CLARK, JOHN STREET, BAD WIG BROWN
— coolbreeze - Im white and I have no problem calling it how I see it Im a real Philly lady I speak my mind. I dont care what color you are and use the race card on me as your last resort and damn your going to get it, those days of throwing the race card around to get what you want when not being white are over. I think only the older fokes and idiots keep the race stuff going— pa2nz
- First, all this garbage is a socio-economic problem. Race issues are always an easy out because it gets people talking, as evidenced by the amount of comments on this board. The iImpoverished through working class will generally be inflamed about racial issues because it is educational institutions and media that train people to believe these issues are based on race. What they do not do is do a full examination about the dichotomy of the haves and have nots. How class conflicts create animosity to the point where the people on the bottom feel the need to blame someone else for their plight.
For the distinguished author of this phlly.com piece. You plan to have an open discussion by having the white author and groups of African-American men to discuss the article? Was the author wrong for writing about a viewpoint that he believes is a story? Suddenly a white person cannot have a view about race without "needing a hug?" That in itself is a racist viewpoint. It is the belief that a white person discussing race is themselves a racist.
I think Huber got the reaction that shows that "white" people can't discuss race. When they do they have to be confronted to have discussion with groups of African-Americans to have their opinion corrected. Huber apparently needs a "hug" because he does not have love for other races. To analogize this situation. CNN runs a special every year called "Black in America." I do not recall any racial groups then asking the panelists on "Black in America" to subject themselves to a confrontation to explain their viewpoints.— deerintheheadlights - The White article was dead on.. Jenice is myopic and biased, proving the article right.— Nezhy
- Hey I have an idea- how about an article called Being A Philadelphian In Philly and forget all the racist slants on everything. Black, white, green, or purple, let's stick together as Philadelphians.— Fly Guy
- PS- the reason racism won't die in America is because black people won't let it. Fact.— Fly Guy
- So very happy I don't live in the big city & have to put up with this nonsense. By the way what qualifies Nutter to head the nations mayors besides being black? The man is an outright failure.— Starr6
- Let alone being afraid to talk about matters involving race in Philly - I'm afraid to talk about matters involving Michael Vick.
I am amazed how often I have been told that I am racist because I think Vick stinks. Informing my accusers that I supported Vick for years never helps. If so mundane a topic brings about cries of racism, then I can't imagine what insults talking about real issues would enable.
— PhillySnowball - RACIST = RATINGS
Treat all races the same— callitlikeiseethem - One of my neighbors called me a racist because I asked him to turn his music down. This was when my wife was pregnant...Complete disregard for personal space. Needless to say we have been looking to move away from this armpit of a city....the "brothas and sistas" can have it. Soon enough it will be called New Detriot.— cerberus413
- Just one question and only one example (as there are many): there is a BET (enterainment network) and that is pride, yet if there were a WET (entertainment network) that would be racist?
The double standard between so-called pride and racisim is clearly the problem.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Martin Luther King, is now a nightmare of racial segregation.— STEPHEN1988 - It's very simple.....If you're white and try discuss racism from your persepctive, you are plain wrong or ignorant. Anyone who isn't white is an expert on race relations and allowed to freely express their feelings on the issue. Non-whites claim they want honesty and no sugar-coating on the subject, but then want us to sit down and shut up when we finally start telling it like it is.— andrew69
- white people in philly have no one to blame but themselves.they complain about high taxes,bad schools and violent crime committed mostly by black males.then they go to the polls and vote overwelming for the democrat party that gave you a black mayor,police commissioner,fire commissioner,city council president,district attorney and school supt.and you wonder why the city is going to hell in a handbasket,and let's no forget those stupid 60thousand white guys who fill the linc and watch a bunch of black football players jump up and down after every play.give me a break,and stay in philly.we don't need any more white democrats in bucks county.— seanmike
- Philly is a scary place...so glad I moved. Has the potential to be a great city, but the people really bring it down. Sad.— dgabs
- I left the Philly region some 20 years ago, after being born and raised there. I've lived in several of the best cities in America since. I had the opportunity to Philly return a few years ago, and decided not to. Why? Read some of the comments here. It's the people, stupid. Philly offers the best housing dollar value in the Northeastern corridor, yet the city is decaying because people are leaving the area in droves. Students who come to the majot universities like Temple, Penn, LaSalle and Villanova leave after graduating. Many of the racists here would like to blame it on the "people" in the city. Trust me, it's the racist trash in the 'burbs too. As the tax base continues to erode, employers will leave the area. Those who work in the city yet seek the homogeneity and presumptive safety of the 'burbs will be rendered with declining opportunities. Then what?— former Mt.Airy Kid
- Did Janice Armstrong really just accuse someone else of "bad journalism"? What a joke. This woman is a one-trick pony who would fail an English 101 course. Hey Janice, the truth is taht white people ARE afraid to say anything because they KNOW they would be accused of being a racist. If you doubt that simple fact, then please explain the existence of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Those racists have been fanning the flames of racism for decades to further their own agenda.— bobwhalon
- For anyone at the inky/DN to label the piece "bad journalism" is laughable. It stirred more interest than anything put out by the local "professionals" in a long while. I found it thought provoking and insightful.— Konstanty
- looks like a lot of people who did not read the Philadelphia magazine piece.
- I'm glad the "intelligent brothas" will be at the event. What's the murder rate in Philly again? And what percentage of those murders are committed by "brothas?" Tell me, Janice, will those type of "brothas" be at the event as well? How about you and your "intelligent brothas" try to clean up your own mess before you tell "whitey" not to be scared to bring up race relations or just scared of your race in general.— phillyisahole
- Let's have the rally in NE Philly and then lets see what we get.— lefty27
- Hey Janice, MLK would be so proud of you and the Philly "brothas!" Sky-high murder rates of each other, filling up the prisons and the jails, males abandoning their children, pervasive drug abuse, and ignoring education for playing ball, dealing drugs, and rapping da hippity hop! To be fair, some do become cops and sucker punch Puerto Rican women without provocation. MLK's looking down proud. His dream has been fulfilled in the City of Brotherly Love. They may not love each other, but they all love to HATE, HATE DA WHITE MAN!— phillyisahole
- This comment has been deleted.— Thor Steiner
- Yes folks, please google Thor Steinar. When you're done with that, google Johnny Rebel. Thor here seems to be a fan. — PRphillyphan17
- So "Being White in Philly" is racist, but "Black History Month" isn't? Not only that, but go into North Philly & see what "not being black" will get you...— rmazzeo
- Urban crime has been a fact since the Mafia, Jack The Ripper and the Ides of March. Single mothers were a staple of Rural America.
Before the post World War Two migration to the northern cities, Blacks were then belittled for being cowering saps from RURAL Alerica ala Stephin Fetchit. Almost within 10 years following July 2, 1964 the stereotype went from the cowering RURAL sap Rochester in the 1963 movie "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World" to the justified thug in John "Shaft" in the 1970's ("Takin' it to the man"). Meanwhile no one put Benjamin Banaker in the history books until Blacks became beligerent.— Cuddles - Cowering Saps:
When I was a child the stereotype was that Stephin Fetchit was afraid of John Wayne...Again July 2, 1964 seems to be a major date in American history.— Cuddles - In this 200 year experiment that lead us to the Industrial Revolution, when mankind truly began the "rape of the earth" we have not seen the end result of the European theories of superiority above the Dodo Bird. This I will say, I have given up on equality for I am barely equal to a tree.
Just this past week I heard how Brazil is thee major player in the BRIC nations. As we watch Canada and Mexico go at it in Baseball and are amazed at the attention garnered by Venezuela, the most amazing thing for me is that the two most powerful New-World nations in North and Latin America respectively are the two nations with the most Blacks.
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When the trees go...we go.
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"Flowers come from dirt"...(The adventures of) Muhammad Smith, 1995.— Cuddles - I believe that article did serve a purpose.Raise circulation for a magazine that no longer caters to the average citizen in this city black, white or otherwise.— vrb1955
- For fear of losing our jobs white people can't speak up. We will be called racist just from telling our experiences...the truth. From someone who grew up in kensington, in a working class family, you can't tell me I was privileged and didn't face what is called "reversed racism" (whatever that is). We worked our butts off and never got a dime except for loans for college because we were white and didn't fill the quota (not scholarships...I was a honor roll student). I'm glad this article was written and I hope the author doesn't get run out of town...but I'm sure they will...all I can say is good luck you'll need it and the rally of intellectuals...ha!— TheKGB
- I was born and reared in Philadelphia and attended college in the North Carolina. I can honestly say that Philadelphia is way more preoccupied with race— daphillytarheel
- In 1960 six year old ruby bridges had to be surrounded by armed guards to go school. She was cursed at and spit on by adults. She stayed. If you feel your rights are being trampled STAND UP. Don't be afraid to speak your mind. Btw before the comments start - the fact that I'm not racist does not make me an apologist. Most people are idiots regardless of race.— poorcarole
- clearly she missed the point of the article, and in fact has strengthened it— raynesrock
- Are Bill Cosby and Juan Williams going to be there or are they still on the smear list?— tr88
- Why would anyone deal with those guys when they can bury their heads in the sand along with upstanding models of reform like The Rev Al Sharpton and The Rev Jesse Jacksons - Sr & Jr?
- (Sigh)
From my perspective, I like to hear all sides of an issue. I retain an open mind and the possibility that maybe...just maybe...I don't have all the answers figured out in my own little head.
Moreover, I'm secure enough that I can be challenged on my beliefs about the world without losing my place in the world.
So... I'd love to have an intelligent discussion about race, history and culture with any and everyone. I'd love to learn from other people and for them to learn from me.
Because without that discussion...nothing changes and that's not a good thing.— doctorhim - I have nothing to say except,...
Blondie for MAYOR!— ricciaje - White people are afraid to talk about race for fear of being called racist? Apparently whoever made this claim never looked at the philly.com message boards.— p-diddy
- I am so happy this article was posted because this conversation is past due. Let's stop pretending that racisim doesn't exist and get to some open forums about being white in Philly, being black in Philly, being Latino in Philly, being Asian in Philly. Let's see how we feel about each other and maybe our attitudes would change because WE WOULD FINALLY BE DEALING WITH THE UNSPOKEN FEARS OF OUR SOCIETY!! Possibly learn to appreciate each others differences, respect our right to disagree, gain understanding for a ever developing United States Of America Culture. I will be hosting a forum soon, if you want more info please email me at aliciadorsey2@gmail.com— Alicia Dorsey
- When Mayor Nutter spoke at his (Mostly Black)Church a year ago and told the congregation what he thought of the young men... he was labeled an Uncle Tom by many in his race... The article wonders why white folk are afraid to say anything... hmmmm— sockman
- Please email me at aliciadorsey2@gmail.com, I am planning a forum!!— Alicia Dorsey
- There's no need for the magazine to do this "PC" event at the filth park. The article was spot on and I support it! This is coming from an edumacated colored person.— OohChildNoPhilly
- We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
It took the greatest nation in history 87 years after that statement was written to eliminate slavery. It took another 100 to end legalized discrimination based on race and guarantee the right to vote. Yet somehow, less than 50 years later, we honestly expect that all racism, prejudice, and discrimination, from both sides, along with the legacy it left behind was somehow going to simply disappear? I'm not here to be an apologist for Al Sharpton or Robert Huber. I just think that sometimes when discussing race in this country, let alone Philadelphia, we need a little bit of perspective.
— PRphillyphan17 - Now that "both sides" can be blamed, will we finally come up with a universally accepted definition of racism?
Suppose we start with the fact that "nationalism" has given us the biggest wars in history and still simmers in eastern Europe to this day and is obvious to every French Canadian in Canada and every Irishman in England.— Cuddles - Cuddles, I'm pretty sure religion will give nationalism a run for its money when it comes to responsibility for the biggest wars in history.
That said, let me know when Philly Mag publishes 'Being Quebecois in Toronto' or 'Being Irish in London.' Then we can talk about nationalism.— PRphillyphan17 - a well made point was made re: the intense nature of Black-White antipathy in Philly as opposed to other American cities. While I do not know if that is a truism, certainly the blog posts exhibit deep antagonism on the part of the writers, especially among some of the white ones. Here'e the thing. I can assure any and everyone that 99% of the 683,000 Black folk in Philly proper (as well as the 250,000 who live in Delaware,Montgomery,Chester,and Bucks County) are not conspiring to commit crimes against White people, Latinos, Asians, or anyone else. Not do 99% walk around with a permanent chip on their shoulder waiting for Whites to knock that chip off. Black people do not commit all or most of the violent crime in the USA - that is a fact. Most victims of crime are victimized by thugs of the same race. Palestra Jon, the Pew Charitable Trusts completed a Philadelphia Research Initiative which found that since 1990, Philly's non-Hispanic White population has decreased by almost one-third (31.9%) over a 20-year period. Black population under 18 years of age is nearly double that of the non-Hispanic White population. The White Catholic ethnic neighborhoods are rapidly fading away while new younger white residents have made the center city like almost like another country. Asians and Latinos/as are increasing their presence in our city. So we are all here together facing the many issues and challenges which face our communities. We have a lot of collective work to do. Complaints about the "brothas and sistas" ruing the city are not helpful. Black people are not going away. By the way, I DID read the Philly Mag article - I found it to be, well, bizarre. I suppose that edition sold a lot of copies.— rick47
- Rick...I read that Pew Trust piece and it concluded that almost all of the white out-migration ended in the mid-'90s. Since then, there has been an increase in the white population. The neighborhoods affected were in the lower Northeast, Fox Chase and Southwest Philadelphia---neighborhoods that lost 75% or more of their white population. Black population has remained stable, but it has not increased. It is primarily Asian and Hispanic populations that have increased the most, something good for a city that for far too long was overly homogenous. — Palestra Jon
- I understand why many whites do not want to go on record if the commentary one reads here is any indication of their true feelings. Daily one can read some of the most vicious and scurrilous blatant racist comments. If you read these commentaries you'll know exactly what I talking about— sudani joe
- This comment has been deleted.— thinkforyourself
- Is the Mafia glorified?
Is Jack The Ripper smart?
Before July 2, 1964 were Urban people seen to be Jimmy Cagney in "Public Enemy" or Stephin Fetchit in "All God's Children"?— Cuddles - Sen Strom Thurmond's daughter dies during Black History Month.— Cuddles
- The Philadelphia Magazine does not have now and may never have had any Black folks or other people of color on its staff. The article contained no facts - only bizarre assumptions: the typical Black Philadelphia resident is either a criminal waiting to prey on Whites in particular or a malcontent waiting to be insulted by a naive well-intended White person. So let me be clear - every Black butcher, Black postal worke, Black police/fire person, Black military person, Black sanitation worker, Black civil servant, Black nurse, Black elected official, Black teacher, etc. fits into one of the two aforementioned categories or at the very least, should be held accountable for the actions of any Black criminal or Black lout. Using that logic every white or asian person should feel responsible for the deadly dummies who stole the two police cars the other day- apparently they victimized/burglarized their elderly neighbors in various ways as well. Yes, the article is/was bizarre. I think that the disappearance of White ethnic neighborhoods, the closing of parochial schools, the integration of formerly all-white neighborhoods by Blacks, Puerto Ricans,/others, dislocation caused by gentrification, and a million other reasons has caused a backlash reflected in the heated response to this article especially by some white writers.— rick47
- I do not know why this 'white/black' thing. I saw this stuff in VietNam, why do we do this in Philadelphia, a City that I dearly love.It just doesn't make any sense to me. Government is robbing us blind and they have we working folks pointing fingers at each other. Silly!— michael rockwell
- Jenice you have been a racist you always will be how dare u offend other people with this classless column. You are just adding fuel to the fire this doesnt suprise me . Baseless— Comments fan
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About this blog
What’s up, everyone? Welcome. Let's discuss whatever's on our minds - pop culture, relationships, politics, even the latest fashion trend. If you read my Daily News column, you know I like to mix it up: One day, it's the state of hip hop and the next, the latest political race. Also, it's always fun to try to figure out the opposite sex and check the latest trends. It’s all about learning from each other, exchanging ideas and hopefully making some changes for the better. Nothing is off limits - just keep it clean and civil.
Jenice Armstrong
Daily News Columnist
Read more from Jenice Armstrong at Earth to Philly, the Daily News blog on anything and everything "Green."
Reach Jenice at armstrj@phillynews.com.
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