Writing Workshop, Spring 2023

Some people may think that all Philadelphia contributes to the hit ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary is a setting and a deluge of cheesesteaks, the Eagles, Gritty, and the word “jawn”, however, the city of brotherly love has much more to offer than these still ever-so accurate cliches. The West Philly-based workplace mockumentary has managed to gain impressive amounts of both critical and audience acclaim since its premiere in 2021, and ratings are only going upward as the second season airs.

Quinta Brunson

The love for the city of Philadelphia runs deep in Abbott Elementary due to the fact that Quinta Brunson, the incredible mind behind the show and the face of the loveably awkward Janine Teagues is a born-and-bred West Philly girl herself. 

Brunson made her way through the Philly public school system just like the students in Abbott Elementary. Both she and her mother experienced the shortcomings of Philly public schools firsthand, and this was undeniably a major factor in her choosing to write a show about the topic. 

Brunson’s college years were spent at our very own Temple University, where she honed her comedy skills on the school’s sketch comedy show, Temple SMASH. She eventually found her way to working at Buzzfeed in Los Angeles after her video series “The Girl Who’s Never Been On A Nice Date” started to gain an audience on social media. Despite moving to Hollywood early in her media career, Brunson’s heart will seemingly always belong to Philly.

Abbott’s Generosity

The talented group of people behind the award-winning workplace comedy continues to give back to the communities that make such a lovable show possible. While the fictional Willard R. Abbott Elementary School tends to be lacking in the school supplies department, the cast and crew are working to change this at underfunded schools in the real-life city of Philly. 

Two of these schools include Mastery Harrity Charter School in West Philadelphia and Benjamin B. Comegys Elementary School in Southwest Philadelphia. Quinta Brunson had actually attended Harrity School, so it wasn’t a difficult decision for her to host a free book fair last March, courtesy of Abbott and Scholastic. Each Harrity student received two free books and each teacher 10 free books, school officials confirmed. Benjamin B. Comegys Elementary School was given a $40,000 donation to the school from Wells Fargo, a hallway painting from Mural Arts Philadelphia, $20,000 of brand-new books provided by Scholastic, and a truck full of various school supplies accompanied by a visit by Brunson herself.  

Additionally, a portion of Abbott Elementary’s Emmy campaign funds was set aside by Brunson and ABC to purchase and donate supplies for Philadelphia public schools suffering from the underfunding and unfair conditions that unfortunately go overlooked.

“We chose to put the marketing money toward supplies for teachers. It’s about being able to make those kinds of decisions that really excite me, things that can really materially help people.”

Quinta Brunson on NPR’s “Fresh Air” radio program.

Abbott Elementary, in its simplest form, could have been set in absolutely any city in the world. However, it is the striking amount of heart that is shared between real Philly communities and Abbott that make the show so extraordinary. It fully embraces every aspect of Philadelphia, so the city embraces the show back. There is a palpable connection and respect between Abbott Elementary and the community that it is based upon, and this only adds to the success of the show.  

Abbott Elementary’s ability to address both the lighthearted and comical aspects of life in Philadelphia as well as the systemic disrespect and inequalities that unfortunately come with teaching at a predominantly black school shows even further how much Abbott’s creators respect the Philly community and want to help make it a better city. 

By Gabriela Mancini

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I always hated when someone asked, “So, where are you from?” The question makes my brain suddenly go blank. Well the short answer to the question is easy: Philadelphia, but in reality it’s a bit more complicated than that.

I was born in Philadelphia, but raised in Medford New Jersey during the first few years of my childhood. I really don’t remember much of that house or neighborhood, other than my parents screaming about the deer always devouring their flower garden. I remember life always being in Philadelphia. An old Temple roomate of mine from deep into (who knows where) Pennsylvania was fascinated when I told her I grew up within the city. She would bombard me with questions like, “Do you know how to ride a bike?” “Did you ride the bus to school?” “Do you have a driver’s license?” Growing up in the city didn’t make my childhood any less out of the ordinary. I learned how to ride a bike in my local park. I walked or was driven to school. It took a long while, but yes, I did finally get my driver’s license at age 20. 

 I felt as if I never got a chance to really live in my house. I’ve lived in Society Hill, Old City, China Town, Poplar, Queens Village, and North Philly on and off campus of Temple University. My parents got divorced when I was around five years old. It became habitual and instinctual to just go with the flow and pack as much as I could carry. My parents are amazing people, but they had trouble providing household stability. Although I identified these places as my houses, not one of them I consider home. The definition of a “home” is different for everyone due to how they were brought up, but my question remains the same, “What makes a house a home?” 

“Safety,” “security,” and “comfort,” is just the tip of the iceberg. 

The word “home” does not always have to correlate with a physical building or structure. Instead, a home can be a place where you have your fondest memories. A place where you are pushed to become your best self from your most trusted mentors and peers. A place that gives you values, goals, and strength in non traditional ways. Whenever I think of the word “home,” I envision the Skykull River. 

The Schuylkill River is one of Philadelphia’s most beloved landmarks. Its name translates to “hidden river,” which refers to the gems of real estate that lie on Boathouse Row. Founded in 1858, Undine Barge Club is one of nine rowing clubs that make up Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive. Undine is one of the only boat houses that has not been remodeled and still has its original interior. You can see and smell the history of the building when you walk inside, and I got to be a part of that legacy. It was on this river and out of this boathouse where I experienced my most accomplished wins, and the core ideology I live by today: Through chaos and uncertainty one will find the ability to achieve the success they believe is unattainable. I only got two small bronze medals during my rowing career, but to me they represent first place.

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Riley McDade was my highschool rowing partner. We could not have been any more different, but anymore similar. For instance, she was well organized, I was not. She always had one bag, I had multiple. I set goals not to win, but to help her get into college through rowing. We were nicknamed the dynamic duo, because nothing could stand in our way. It was not until our final two races where we experienced the sensation of finding success through pure chaos and uncertainty. We faced ocean-like conditions causing our oars to snap under pressure, but passed the finish line of The City Championship in third place with three oars. During The SAA National Championship, our coach sent us off to our final race of the season late, but we still managed to become third in the Nation. 

My rowing team gave me the skills I needed to put myself in positions of success, whereas the Schuykill gave me the most obscure challenges to navigate through. The consistent foundation of practice, support, and advice from my team taught me to silence the doubt in my head to decipher the right solution to a problem to continue to perform. I laughed, cried, froze, sweated, got ready for prom, and rowed out of Undine Barge Club’s Boathouse for four consecutive years. During this time I was surrounded by people I admired and aspired to be. The bond our team had resembled one of a family. Each team member was like a sibling I never had, and each coach was like a Godparent. The team was always there for you. 

Life is like a river. You can’t control its flow or its conditions on the days you need to give it your all. You can’t rely on perfect weather when you need to perform your best. You can’t rely on others to carry your bag for you when it’s too heavy, or what to do if you forget your school shoes. The Schuylkill taught me how to achieve a goal by navigating through some of life’s challenges. Undine introduced me to the stability I craved, and a second family I didn’t realize I had. Once you overcome the mental block, focus on the goal, or the right people the success is yours. A house does not make a home, It’s all about the people within it. 

Home helped me realize that. 

By Ryan Avidano

I grew up in New Jersey. Being from a state so close to Philadelphia, I heard a lot of people have a lot of thoughts on the “batshit crazy” fans of Philadelphia sports. If I asked my dad, I would hear about the dangerous rioters who tear their city apart win or lose. If I asked my step-brother I would hear about the pure love Philadelphians have for their teams, and they express that in the universal language of partying. 

When the Philadelphia Eagles were in the Super Bowl, I knew that whatever happened, the city would go crazy. Police officers greased light posts and blocked off busy intersections in order to mitigate damage and injury to the expected fans. I knew there was the potential to witness one of the most hectic nights possible. My suspicions were confirmed when a viral video went around demonstrating a large group of Temple students flipping a car at a pregame celebration. 

As we know, the Eagles lost their 2023 Super Bowl game. I anticipated raging fans tearing the city apart. Instead, when I went outside I was met with silence. No one was happy, no one was raging, it was just a sad sort of melancholic fog across the city. 

This immediately made me question what I had originally believed of Philadelphia fans. Instead of fighting like a wounded animal, the city fell back to tend to its wounds, preparing for the next fight. 

Only having been in Philadelphia for about 7 months, I felt I needed to speak to someone who understood the city a little bit better than I did. For that I turned to my older step-brother, Brayden Gack, for his perspective on Philadelphia sports and to answer a couple of questions I had about Philadelphia fans. 

So Brayden, you lived in Manayunk during the 2018 Super Bowl, would you say that the celebrations are more reserved for Center City, or is it more widespread throughout the greater area?

“I think that the most intense celebrations happen in Center City for sure. I mean yeah in Manayunk there were a lot of celebrations, but stuff like setting shit on fire and flipping cars didn’t really happen” 

Does Philadelphia deserve that reputation? Of being violent, angry fans? 

“Again it’s kind of a mix of yes and no. Like yeah, Philly fans are intense and all, but other cities celebrate too when their team wins. It’s probably got something to do with the reputation of the city in general and how people say it’s dangerous.” 

Why do you think more people cause mayhem for wins rather than losses? 

“It’s just to celebrate. I don’t think it’s anything more than that. It’s how we show our love for our teams. The destruction kind of just happens along with it.”

Brayden was right. All cities celebrate, so why does Philadelphia have a reputation for being violent fans? Other cities celebrate just as much as us, with just as much chaos. However, for some reason our loud and proud love for our teams unjustly leads us to be considered the “most insufferable fans” in the nation. It’s a unique lesson in predestination. The citizens of Philadelphia have been assigned a permanent characteristic that they may have never had any choice in developing. 

Yes, there can be people who are sore losers, but they are not representative of Philadelphia at large. Philadelphia fans take their sports seriously, and when they lose, instead of raging we tend to internalize the loss and bide our excitement for the next season. 

There are many different love languages. People may show their love through words of affirmation, gift giving, acts of service, and more. The celebrations we hold are the ultimate display of love for our teams. It’s much like an act of service. A physical reminder of our love for our sports and for our teams. 

Where other people may see disorder, is actually an amazing display of loyalty and love. Anyone who questions the love that Philadelphia has for their teams could not possibly understand the level of dedication they have to the Eagles, Sixers, Phillies, and Flyers.  In some ways, being a fan is the purest form of love. The love for something so much bigger than yourself. It may look violent, disorderly, chaotic, or downright psychotic. But it’s love. Pure and Simple. Our teams are families, and when your family wins, you celebrate like there’s no tomorrow.

My Background

I never wanted to come to Philadelphia. I visited for the first time when I was about 10 years old and I hated it. I remember my family taking a walking tour of the city in the pouring rain as a tour guide rambled on about the history of the city. I didn’t care about some old bell that was displayed in the middle of the city, and I hated history class, so nothing here interested me. There was just something inside of my 10 year old self that had a visceral hatred for Philadelphia. When I was looking for colleges to attend, I only applied to Temple because I heard the dorms were nice. Going into the application process, I thought I would not end up here because of how much I hated this city, but Temple ended up being the best fit for me, despite its location. Starting college, I still did not like Philadelphia, but, over time, I grew to love this place because of how much I’ve tried to embrace the artistic atmosphere that I was previously unaware of.

Art is all around us. We can find it in the obvious places, like in paintings, music, etc. However, we can also find art in some not so obvious places, because it is hidden throughout cities. Philadelphia is a place that is rich with art because of how ingrained it is in the city’s culture. Learning about the history of art and culture in Philadelphia has helped me appreciate the city more because of the existing love I have for the arts.

The main reason I was so against Philadelphia when I first visited was because I didn’t feel inspired here. I’m from Long Island, New York, and I live about 45 minutes outside of New York City, so I got to go there a lot as a kid. I remember taking the train into the city for the first time and walking the streets with my dad and looking up at buildings in awe. I dreamed of being on Broadway or becoming a movie star and living there. New York City was always the dream. As I said before, my first trip to Philadelphia bored me and I had no desire to come back. My visit felt like something straight out of a history class. There was no creativity or culture, or so I thought.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Something that really helped me learn to appreciate this city was the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Growing up near New York city, I have always loved going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, so having a big museum like that here was exciting to me, and this museum has been inspiring people for a long time. Although it was officially opened as a museum in general on May 10, 1877, the building sitting on top of Fairmount Hill along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway did not open until March 26, 1928. It was complete with the now iconic stairs that Sylvester Stallone ran up in the movie “Rocky.” Fiske Kimball, the director of the museum at the time of its opening, said that he wanted the museum to “express the world’s artistic culture in all mediums, merging architecture, painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts” (“Our History”). After seeing one million visitors in its first year, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is still flourishing today. It continues to provide an excellent outlet for viewing art from different cultures to citizens and visitors of Philadelphia.

I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the first time in August of 2022, about a week after I moved into my dorm for freshman year. After learning about a lot of the history of the museum, my visit may seem insignificant, but that is what makes it feel so much cooler to me. The art within this cultural institution shows just how much of a staple it is to the city because of how LONG it has been there. It is amazing to think that both myself and visitors from years and years and years ago got to see things like the famous Diana statue (which the museum acquired in the 1930s and still stands in the Great Stair Hall today!) Not to mention how many people have run up the front steps trying to imitate “Rocky.” I love feeling a sense of community with the other people who visit the museum and appreciate the art — it makes me feel more like I fit in and belong in the city. In addition to this feeling of belonging, I just love art in general. I took Art History in high school, and I adored it. It is fascinating to look at how pieces of art are created and what the story and meaning behind them is. Museums make me feel creative and in tune with the artists who have work displayed there, so being able to experience something like that in a city that I didn’t like so much helped me open up to the idea that this place wasn’t all that bad.

Street Art

Another major contributor to my eventual love of Philadelphia was the art that we see on the streets and buildings. It’s one thing to be able to feel inspired by art in a museum, but being able to get that same feeling from simply walking around outside is something special. These murals are mesmerizing and seeing them around the city made me start to fall in love with this place. There are over 4,000 murals in the city of Philadelphia, making it unofficially the “mural capital of the world” (“The Influence of Modern art in Philadelphia”). Branching off of murals, we have graffiti. Graffiti is “a creation of art that portrays people’s emotions, artistic expression, or politics in backdrops, characters, or creative words” (Monopoly). Although some believe that graffiti is a heinous act of vandalism, others believe that is is a wonderful method of artistic self-expression. It is also a very communal art form because different artists had different tags to identify themselves, and artists could compare, contrast, and take inspiration from each other’s styles.

Not only is a graffiti a very prominent form of street art in Philadelphia, but there are also a lot of other “unofficial” art genres that are taking over the public eye. One of these techniques is mosaic art, which can be seen in the Magic Gardens, a “labyrinthine mosaic museum” located on South Street in Philadelphia. Isaiah Zager, the artist behind the Magic Gardens, said that this magnificent creation “begun as a way to revitalize his neighborhood with public art installations” (Bloom). Another street art technique that is seen in Philadelphia are Toynbee tiles. Although the original creator is unknown, these plaques with notes on them are embedded in some streets in Philadelphia. Yarn and textile art is also growing in popularity. Although this art form is sometimes considered vandalism, artists use this technique for various reasons, ranging from sending political messages to simply trying to brighten someone’s day. The wheatpasting and sticker art techniques are also considered vandalism, however, it is still popular in the Northern Liberties, Spring Arts, and Fishtown locations in Philadelphia because of Philadelphia’s “hand-drawn sticker tradition” (Bloom).

I bring all of this into focus as something that makes me feel inspired in Philadelphia because of the creativity it takes to create murals and graffiti. I also love how collaborative this art form is because of how the artists take inspiration from each other. Graffiti artists stemmed from those first murals that were made in 30,000 BCE. You can also trace trends in graffiti and how the style has evolved and changed over time. In addition to all of this, the new techniques that have stemmed from original painted murals show even more creativity because of the unconventional materials. I remember doing a project for my first year seminar in my first month of school that involved a group of my classmates having to walk around the city and look at some of these different murals. This was the first time that I started to realize that the artistic beauty of the city went beyond just the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and it sparked my curiosity and interest in exploring the city further to see more of this street art.

Avenue of the Arts

Maybe my favorite element of culture in Philadelphia is the Avenue of the Arts, which is another indicator of how central the arts are to Philadelphia. This revitalization project was created by former Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell in 1993. Rendell wanted to “restore Broad Street to its former glory” by bringing the central street in the city back to an arts and culture focus, rather than the automobile-centric wasteland it had become. The Avenue of the Arts was meant to “bring cohesion to Broad Street and to encourage the growth of the artistic community that had thrived there for generations” (“Avenue of the Arts”). One of the buildings along the Avenue of the Arts is the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which is where Philly Pops, Opera Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Orchestra all perform. There are also multiple theaters along this street, such as the Academy of Music. Temple University’s own campus is actually located on the same street as the Avenue of the Arts. Although North Broad Street is not typically associated with this Avenue, Temple has a very large art scene. The Tyler School of Art, the Temple Performing Arts Center, and the School of Theater, Film, and Media Arts are important to Temple University, and Temple’s Liacouras Center holds the title of the “largest performing arts venue on the Avenue of the Arts” (“Avenue of the Arts”). 

The reason that the Avenue of the Arts is probably my favorite element of culture in Philadelphia is because the atmosphere you experience at a live event is something unlike anything else. My freshman year of college began right around the time that live events started being able to happen again after the COVID-19 pandemic, and I remember initially feeling extremely nervous to go out to live shows again, especially in a city I was unfamiliar with. Though I was hesitant, I am so glad that I pushed myself to explore and experience these live venues in Philadelphia because they have been some of my favorite memories I’ve made in the city. I’ve gone to comedy shows, concerts, drag shows, etc., and each one is better than the last. I live down the street from the Met Philadelphia, and being able to see lines of people getting ready to see shows there is great. The excitement in the air from the crowd is electric. Not to mention the energy that Temple’s own on-campus artistic community brings to daily life here. Being involved in the media studies program has been an amazing experience because of the great energy and creativity everyone has, and I am grateful for everyone I have been able to meet through it. 

My Final Thoughts

Now I’m not going to say that Philadelphia will ever live up to New York City in my eyes, because that is honestly a lie. New York will always be on a pedestal for me because of my own history with it. Learning about Philadelphia’s cultural history and how it has shaped the city today, however, has changed my view on it greatly. I thought that no city could ever compare to New York in terms of the inspiration I feel there. As I said before, New York was always the dream. Though, now that I have gotten to know and love Philadelphia, I think I may have found a new place where my dream can grow.

Finding a sense of community in college can be tough, but if you’re like me and enjoy a more creative atmosphere, then the Philly DIY scene might be for you. Philly DIY is a subculture of young artists who share, collaborate, and perform their art taking place in unconventional places. All forms of art are celebrated here, as the live, experimental music comes in an array of genres all under the alternative umbrella. Philly DIY’s culture plays an important role in many people’s lives as college kids and young people all around the city can find a sense of community through the shared love of art and music. Come learn a little about this community, and maybe like me, you’ll fall in love with this fantastic world of self-expression!

Who Runs the Scene?

To get to know the scene you should know who puts everything together: Collectives are groups of like-minded people who are practically the backbone of DIY. Their responsibilities vary from group to group as many have unique roles and personal goals within the scene. Some collectives such as Ratpie Friends focus on photography and act as an independent press, while others like The Machine organize house shows, book venues and artists to perform at, and even perform themselves. Anyone could start a collective, that’s the beauty of DIY, but it is a lot of work to consider. To be a successful collective in this fast-paced, constantly evolving city, you need a goal, a determined group of people, and the energy to make it happen.

House Shows

House shows are exactly what they sound like- music performances that take place in people’s houses. Mostly occurring in basements or the occasional backyard, these unconventional concerts allow artists to share their music with the community in an up close and personal way. With a much lower entrance fee compared to a typical concert, ranging anywhere from $5-$15, and the convenience of living close to the venues, house shows are a great way of meeting people and expanding your view of the art scene. 

Art Marts

With the warm weather back in motion, outdoor art marts are starting to pop back up around Philly. The Block behind James. S Whitehall, aka The Stoop, is one of the most popular outdoor venues in the Temple area, working as both an art mart venue by day and an outdoor performance venue by night. There really is no limit to what people sell; some vend photography prints, paintings, and homemade jewelry, while others sell treats and handcrafted clothing items. Experiencing art marts around Temple and all throughout Philadelphia are experiences that really make you appreciate the love and hard work people put into what they are passionate about!

Temple’s Role

The area around Temple University is a major player in the DIY scene. Temple’s student body is jam-packed with a lot of creative individuals, so it’s no wonder the surrounding area is constantly flooded with events and shows of all kinds. The Mansion, Grouvier, and Over Yonder, are some of the more popular venues located right in Temple’s backyard. Many of the popular bands such as Jet Fuel Soda, Dead Love Triangle, and Wallace Tonight! reside in Temple’s surrounding area.

So how do I get there?

Most people stick to the same rotation of social media accounts to stay in the know of what’s happening in the scene. @Houseshowphilly is one of the biggest Instagram accounts in Philly DIY that’s the main hub for finding most shows and events in Philadelphia. The account posts a spread of collective’s and band’s upcoming show flyers every Wednesday for that weekend, so people will be able to know a few days in advance when something is taking place. 

All in all, the DIY scene is a unique part of Philadelphia’s artistic culture and the artists who work extremely hard to maintain a safe and welcoming environment are essential to its well-being. Without them, none of it would be possible! Finding this community through the shared love of music and art is such a cool way of experiencing the unique culture of Philadelphia, and I encourage you to experience it at some point during your Philly experience.

Philadelphia is a city full of historical figures and the legacies they left behind. There are some big names, like Benjamin Franklin, however, there are many important people who go unnoticed. In North Philly, a name that people may recognize is Cecil B. Moore, a lawyer and civil rights activist, who helped fight for the civil rights of the black working class and students.

Early Life & Activism

Cecil B. Moore was born on April 2, 1915, in Dryfork Hollow, West Virginia. He attended high school in Kentucky, enrolled in Bluefield College in West Virginia, and became a traveling insurance salesperson. Eventually, he became a sergeant and “was one of the Montford Point Marines, who battled racism and segregation to become the first Black men in the corps who were allowed to carry weapons and serve on the front lines” (Oputu & Eiser). After many years of travel, Moore ended up settling down and enrolling in Temple University’s Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia in 1947 (Borden).

One of his most recognized contributions to the North Philadelphia area was his involvement with the NAACP, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Moore often found himself at odds with older members and activists due to differences in activism styles. With his military background, he was more assertive and confrontational, whereas older activists took calm and conversational positions. Because of the opposition between them, “He criticized the older generation of NAACP advocates for failing to acknowledge issues affecting the working man and lower-class black community” (Costello).  

Moore was very involved in desegregating construction sites and labor unions, as well as other workplaces around Philadelphia. He protested and picketed at the Greyhound as well as the U.S. Postal service, for they had held racial bias against the black working class (Biography.com). In 1963, he picketed at the new Municipal Services Building construction site on May 11th (this would last for many weeks), a local school construction site from June to July, and finally, in December, he picketed at the Trailways Bus Terminal (Costello). Although these efforts weren’t as successful as intended, it ultimately increased the amount of black employees all over Philadelphia. 

The 1964 Columbia Avenue Riots

He was also involved in the 1964 Philadelphia Race Riot, otherwise known as the Columbia Avenue Riots. On August 28, 1964, two officers responding to a domestic dispute call from 22nd Street and Columbia Avenue turned violent when misinformation spread that a black pregnant woman was beaten by white officers (Candeaux). Hundreds of people gathered in the street and began to throw objects and beat the officers. This event then evoked a riot that would last a couple of days. When Moore had heard what was happening, he went to the scene and urged rioters to return to their homes (Kativa).

“The grim result of three days of rioting was 341 injuries, more than 700 arrested, and at least one death… More than 700 buildings were damaged… North Philadelphia has never entirely recovered” (Woodham). If Moore had not told people to go home, the amount of irreversible damage to the city would have been greater, and more people may have gotten killed, injured, or arrested. Columbia Avenue was eventually renamed Cecil B. Moore Avenue in 1987 to honor him.

The Desegregation of Girard College

Girard college was an all-white boys school in a predominantly black neighborhood, even after Brown vs. Board of Education had been settled in 1954. After being reelected as NAACP President in 1965, Moore made a promise to integrate the college after witnessing the injustice and studying the mission of Raymond Pace Alexander, who had been fighting this same battle for ten years prior. The difference between the men’s approaches is that Alexander battled through the court system, whereas Moore brought the fight directly to the streets of Philly (Kativa, pp. 1-6).

Because of Moore’s strong stance, he began the NCAAP’s protest at the college on May 1st, 1965, with 20 picketers and 800 police officers (Kativa). He “organized daily picketing outside of Girard in order to attract media attention both for and against the movement and to gain the attention of public officials and pressure them into action” (Schickling). For seven and a half months, Moore protested outside of the school, the crowd consisting majorly of the black middle-class. The attention for the protest had grown so much that over the summer, important civil rights leaders had joined, like the National NAACP President, Roy Wilkins, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kativa). The case eventually made its way through the court, and Girard College was desegregated on May 20th, 1968.

A Long Lasting Legacy

Almost forty two years after his death, Valerie Harrison, the Senior Advisor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, announced on September 16th, 2020, that there would be a one million dollar anti-racist initiative implemented to combat racism not only Temple University, but all around Philadelphia. As a part of this initiative, they announced the creation of the Cecil B. Moore Scholars Program. The school is partnered with Steppingstone Scholars, a non-profit dedicated to helping low-income students of Philadelphia transition into college and even the workforce. The program is designed to give public or charter school students in North Philadelphia access to an equal education, which is something that Moore fought for (Krotzer pp. 1-6).

The university offers a free dual enrollment course to North Philadelphia students in the spring of their senior year. Upon evaluation, the college chooses around 25 students to move on to a summer bridge program, designed to help students academically and socially transition into life at postsecondary schools. Once the students are enrolled full time, they receive academic advising and support from both the school and Steppingstone Scholars. Since the program was created within the last four years, it could inspire other programs and initiatives to form in schools across Philadelphia (Krotzer pp. 9-13)

Cecil B. Moore’s passion and drive to give the black citizens of Philadelphia a voice changed the history of the city forever. If Moore hadn’t advocated for the desegregation of workplaces and education, things like the Scholars Program may have never existed, and residents from this area would have less access to educational and career opportunities.

Many people associate the Stonewall Riots as being the true beginning of LGBTQ+ protesting. These violent riots were subject to a great deal of media coverage, so it is understandable why Stonewall is the first thing people think about when talking about protesting for gay rights. In reality, it wouldn’t be fair to say that these riots were the spark to the flame of LGBTQ+ protesting. Four years before the riots at Stonewall happened, gay rights activists were protesting for the rights of their community at the Annual Reminder marches in the city of Philadelphia.

The History

The Annual Reminder marches occurred every year from 1965 to 1969 on July 4th. They were held by the East Coast Homophile Organization (ECHO) and mainly organized by Frank Kameny and Barbra Gittings, the father and mother of the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement. The picketers, known as the Annual Reminders, were a group of gay and lesbian activists from Washington D.C., New York, and Philadelphia. They marched in front of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and during the city’s annual Independence Day parade. The time and place of these marches were very significant to the message of the march.

On July 4th, 1776 in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed later that year. In the Declaration of Independence, it states that, “… all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (National Archives and Records Administration). The Annual Reminders wanted to act as “reminders” to everyone that not all citizens in the United States was entitled to the same rights that were listed in the Declaration of Independence. They continued to go out and remind everyone of this message year after year at two of the most symbolic places for freedom in the country.

The Rules

When it came to being an Annual Reminder, there were strict rules that they had to follow in order to protest. One of the most notable rules of these demonstrations was the strict dress code. The protesters were told to dress professionally; men were to wear ties and jackets and women were to wear dresses. During this time, people who were a part of the LGBTQ+ community could not work government jobs. To send employers a message, the Annual Reminders were told to dress employable.

It was important for the demonstrators to dress like every other American because it showed others that they were the same as everyone else. Another reason for the dress code was to prevent any distractions that would take away from their message. This strategy was not unique to the march because it was a popular tactic used in the Civil Rights Movement first. Kameny, who was known for taking tactics from civil rights leaders, wanted the Reminders to imitate the same tactic of “using respectability as a political tool” because of how well it worked for civil rights demonstrators.

Besides the dress code, there were other strict protocols they had to follow. Unlike most of the gay rights demonstrations that have happened, the picketers were to walk in a single file line. While in line, protesters were not allowed to engage with people who passed by or said anything to them. They had to keep the conversations they had with other protestors to a minimum to ensure professionalism. They could not smoke or drink in the line as well as leave unless it was absolutely necessary to. The signs that the picketers carried had to be approved in advance to march. If they were approved, they had to be neat with clear letters.

The Stonewall Riots

The Annual Reminder marches were seen as very effective and the first of its kind, but everything changed after the events that took place at Stonewall.

The Stonewall Riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising, happened on June 28th, 1969 when New York City police raided a gay club called the Stonewall Inn. The raid eventually broke out in a riot involving the neighborhood residents and bar customers. These events led to a six day protest on Christopher Street. These protests were drastically different to the Annual Reminder marches because they were more focused on the liberation of the LGBTQ+ community rather than fighting for equality.

In 1969, the Stonewall Riots sparked an increase in participants for the Annual Reminders march that year. These new protestors were not in favor of how the demonstrations were run. They thought they were not bold enough to make an impression on anyone. The thing they found the most annoying about the protests was the strict dress code it enforced on people. Because of their dislike for the rules, they eventually began to disobey them by holding hands with each other, walking side by side, and talking to people outside the line and to each other. The new protestors’ disregard for the rules eventually phased out the Annual Reminder Marches all together.

The fall of the Annual Reminder marches paved the way for new kinds of LGBTQ+ demonstrations. The Christopher Street Pride parade was born on June 28th, 1970, and it took a more confrontational approach to protesting. Attendees would dance wildly and create chants to scream to. People were allowed to wear whatever they desired and hold signs that were not pre-approved, unlike like the Annual Reminder Marches. They also promoted heavy drug use at these parades, which the Annual Reminders would heavily discourage.

The Significance To Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia should be proud that this history happened on its own soil. Brave lesbian and gay activists gathered in Philadelphia, specifically Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, to protest for equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals. As the city of “brotherly love,” citizens should get excited that this was the start of people protesting for the LGBTQ+ community’s right to love. LGBTQ+ Philadelphians, especially, should feel a sense of pride in their city because of this historical event. Their fellow community members had the courage to fight for their rights and the rights of others in their very own city. As someone who currently lives in Philadelphia, I wish I was able to learn about these marches growing up. Because of my close connection to the LGBTQ+ community, I feel as if the Annual Reminder marches as a topic in learning environments would benefit everyone greatly. These marches make me feel proud to live and go to school in Philadelphia and I wish more people felt this way.

A Future For LGBTQ+ Demonstrations

The Annual Reminder marches have made protesting possible for future LGBTQ+ demonstrations like the Stonewall Riots. The Annual Reminder marches humanized members of the LGBTQ+ community and showed Americans that they should have the same rights of every other citizen. Even though these marches were phased out by new protestors, it gave these protestors a stable platform to use their voice. A new age of protesting has brought forth a great sense of love and pride within this community. Without these marches, it can be argued that other demonstrations would not have thrived the way they have.

4 horrific and heartbreaking words were spoken on May 13th, 1984 by Frank Powell a Philadelphia police lieutenant. These words would cement the MOVE bombing in Philadelphia and Black history as another tragic event of systematic racism and the unimportance that black lives have to white America. 

A C4 explosive on top of the 62nd Osage Ave home-turned-compound of the MOVE organization, killing 11 people including 5 children and the founder John Africa. 

Background

MOVE is a Philadelphia organization that is known for its pan-Africanism, black nationalism, and anarcho-primitivism. They were known for their avoidance of modern medicine and technology and work for animal rights and environmentalism, though they were very loud about their quest for racial justice. The organization was very tight-knit during those times and those that were a part of the movement changed their last names to “Africa”, in reverence to the continent. MOVE styled itself as a “self-defense” organization, where they took matters into their own hands, arming themselves since they believed that trust could not be put in the police or government. There was a lot of support for the group throughout the years within the community, donating food, supplies, and other necessities to the organization, though their next-door neighbors weren’t too fond of them. The block in which the group resided felt threatened due to the group reinforcing the house and building a bunker on top of the building. They used airhorns and speakers mounted outside to spread their propaganda as well as advocate for the release of the MOVE 9. (Read here about their recent release.)

Aftermath

The reaction to the bombing was a tragic one. Citizens of the city saw not only an entire neighborhood go up in flames, but also completely disappear.

The shadow of the MOVE fire is one that never has gone away and still sits with residents of the neighborhood today. Diane J., a resident of the neighborhood says, “Folks just moved on from the community because it was easier. But the memories will always be there.” Neighbors try to upkeep the houses and decorate the outside with potted plants and tend to the gardens, seeing this as an act of resistance for not being able to completely wipe out an entire neighborhood.

Another one is the way that MOVE is still an active organization. Completely relocated from Osage Ave and moved somewhere in West Philadelphia, surviving MOVE members now still use their activism to keep talking about that faithful spring day and have a low presence in the Philadelphia community.  Ramona Africa, the lone adult survivor of the bombing, served seven years in prison for riot and conspiracy charges immediately after the bombing. Once out she ended up suing the City of Philadephia and won $1.5 million in a civil suit and continued to be an active member of MOVE and still advocated for the ways of the group and against the Philadelphia police force. 

Present Day

Many present-day MOVE members were shocked to learn that the city has “disposed of” the remains of the children who had died in the fire with Mike Africa Jr. stating “They were bombed, and burned alive … and now you wanna keep their bones.” This ongoing tragedy was fueled by the already tense situation of the resurgence of the BLM protest, with the center of the protest being the defunding of the police and ending police brutality. The black community in Philadelphia would still be grappling with the force used against them today and after the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement resurgence this has caused many of those in the community to completely dissociate themselves from the police entirely. 

Now that the city is again quiet and the talk of this tragedy is currently at rest, one can only wonder where else this can go for the black community and other allies that live and work here. Though life moves on and so do people. Sometimes you can still see folks looking at each other, and hear with a fist and pride, “On the move!”

Natives and tourists alike typically have the same idea when asked what is considered ‘Philadelphia Cuisine’. They undoubtedly visualize rows of bronzed and twisted soft pretzels alongside bottles of spicy mustard – or imagine a griddle coated with heaps of sizzling shaved ribeye next to mounds of caramel-hued fried onions then piled onto rolls. I suppose they’d even picture an assortment of tubs filled with pastel-tinted water ice being scooped into a decorated paper cup.

But aside from these staples, I think it’s time we look further past them to examine the entire breadth of cuisine in the city of Brotherly Love. More than just eating to sustain ourselves, we gather at these spaces to socialize – to feel a part of a shared experience – from restaurants and markets to stalls and stands. “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” There’s much more to distinguish this city from others than soft pretzels or cheesesteaks (not to diminish their iconic status).

Whether you’re wiping your mouth with a folded cloth napkin or a wrinkled paper one – whether you’ve had those near-impossible reservations for weeks ahead of time or you sat yourself on the spot at a shared table – whether you’re using a platinum card with points earned back or it’s cash only and you’ve got exact change – there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy a meal in Philly.

Tastes are subjective so how can we quantify what is a truly great restaurant from any other? The annual James Beard Award – titled in honor of famed American gastronomist and food writer James Beard (quoted above) – is a venerated culinary distinction awarded by his namesake foundation since 1991 for a variety of categories including outstanding chef, pastry chef, bakery, restaurant, and bar.  Eighteen Philadelphia-area chefs and establishments earned semi-finalist nominations for 2023 alone – with six of them granted finalist nominations. Both of these recognitions are remarkable honors for chefs and restaurateurs. For 2020 and 2022, two Philadelphia pastry chefs were awarded Food and Wine’s Best New Chef.

I don’t anticipate others to typically be as enamored by or knowledgeable about these topics as I am, so I’m always thrilled to help people discover a new culinary location. Of course if you’re looking for a more verified and published opinion to trust, look no further than The Philadelphia Inquirer’s renowned restaurant critic – Craig LaBan – who frequently writes about both beloved institutions and the newest spots alike. The columnist has recently eschewed his former number-based ‘bell’ system (from zero-to-four) in favor of focusing his thoughts solely towards the food and ambiance in order to be more useful to both readers and restaurateurs.

Philadelphia’s most popular spots at the moment don’t necessarily feature any sort of regional or domestic delicacies. They reflect the city’s desire to culinarily travel outside the borders of the U.S. – Kalaya in Fishtown is Southern Thai cuisine, Her Place Supper Club in Center City calls itself, “a little French, a little Italian”, Machine Shop in South Philly is a both a traditional and experimental French boulangerie, and Laser Wolf in Northern Liberties is focused on charcoal-grilled Israeli cuisine which in itself is not one specific cuisine but rather an amalgamation of surrounding territories such as Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, and Syria. All of the above have garnered James Beard nominations and awards. These highly acclaimed international destinations represent the trend of a desire for more global tastes in Philadelphia.

It’s not easy attempting to dine at each and every great restaurant in Philly – but some things are worth trying and failing more than never trying at all.

Welcome to the city! (Not really)

In the city of Philadelphia, sports are taken extremely seriously. Philadelphians go hard. They refuse to let up. They take pride in the city and teams. Primarily, though, they are notorious for being some of the most poorly-mannered fans in the major sports leagues. Being crude and hostile is what gives Philly fans their fidelity. Class isn’t needed in order to reflect devotion towards a team or player. It boils down to passion; it’s what flows through Philadelphians’ veins. They don’t take talk lightly since they have been, and continue to be, looked down upon. Choosing to embody the underdog mentality is something they will forever take pride in.

Some may consider being a Philadelphia sports fan, or simply being from here, the worst. With the tainted reputation, it’s difficult to prove others wrong about the city. Yet, the inferiority is what makes the residents and fans that much tougher. For what seems like forever, and still to this day, there is a constant desire to show the rest of the sports world that Philly should be recognized and respected since they are the ultimate underdog. Recently, the rest of America has gotten that message, which is something that fans will not let anyone live down. Though they can be rough sometimes, it all comes from love. After all, it is the City of Brotherly Love.

Some may consider being a Philadelphia sports fan, or simply being from here, the worst. With the tainted reputation, it’s difficult to prove others wrong about the city. Yet, the inferiority is what makes the residents and fans that much tougher. For what seems like forever, and still to this day, there is a constant desire to show the rest of the sports world that Philly should be recognized and respected since they are the ultimate underdog. Recently, the rest of America has gotten that message, which is something that fans will not let anyone live down. Though they can be rough sometimes, it all comes from love. After all, it is the City of Brotherly Love.

Philly Loves You Too

 A plain skyline and a cracked bell is what makes this run-of-the-mill looking city. In Philly, people don’t want the attention drawn to them. It is a working class town with generations of families who have lived in and near the city. They take pride in being tough, working hard, and refusing to take shortcuts. This makes most of them reserved people, adding to the antisocial characteristic. Sure, one can visit, but they will not be warmly welcomed.

Others see Philadelphia, “…as a uniquely cold and unwelcoming place” (Dilworth, 2006). Even back in 1798, when Abigail Adams was obligated to reside in the city, she wrote to her sister, “‘These Philadelphians are a strange set of people…They have the least feeling of real genuine politeness of any people with whom I am acquainted’” (Dilworth, 2006). Proving that not much has changed since. The thing is, there’s no explaining these values and behaviors that inhabit the glorious urban landscape. The best and only way is to remember that everything is practically the opposite of common decency. For instance, “Anger is a way to express caring…[it] can only be called an angry love. It is loyal, it endures–but it has spikes and edges” (Satullo, 2011). When cheering for a sports team, make sure to, “…[cheer] against the home team” since it is, “…a time-honored tradition in Philadelphia” (Dilworth, 2006). It may feel weird, but it’s correct.

The Mentality of a Philly Fan

Out of all the teams on the East coast, Philadelphia tended to be the worst performing city. Not only were the cities bigger and flashier, their teams were better. This left Philly in the dust. Always catching up and always having something to prove. This stems from the determination of striving to be better than the competition. The city was always underestimated in every capacity and others would never even look this way. Philadelphians continue to make the choice to embrace the grit and dedication of the underdog mentality and express it loudly to prove that they want it more than anyone else.

The underdog mentality has always been present in the city and its culture. However, more recently, it dominated its way into Philly’s sports. In the 2017 NFL season, Carson Wentz suffered a season ending injury in the playoffs. This forced the backup quarterback to lead them through the last half of the season. No one thought they would make it. When it came time to play the Falcons, Chris Long and Jason Kelce brought dog masks to the game to represent them being underdogs. After the win, they walked off the field wearing them to demonstrate that they were never favored to get this far. From there on, the team would wear the masks on the bench and when walking off the field after a win. Eagles fans loved the skepticism that surrounded the team making it that far and getting the ring. The struggle, grit, and hard work it took to get to that position directly represented what the city of Philadelphia is about.

Infamous Stories

In December of 1968, a snowstorm that dumped copious amounts of precipitation on the city left Franklin Field filled with snow for Sunday’s football game. The team was facing a 2-11 record, leaving fans hopeful for a loss in order to receive decent picks in the upcoming draft. To fans’ surprise, they took the lead at the start of the game. This only increased the upheaval. Halftime came, the game was tied, and the original Santa Claus that was supposed to perform didn’t show due to the weather. This caused the Eagles staff to act in a panic until they found Frank Olivo, who was coincidentally dressed in a Santa costume. The staff, “…frantically approached him and begged him to be their halftime Santa” (Frank 2020). He agreed, and took on the job. Upon stepping onto the field, he was first met with boos. Boos turned into snowballs, snowballs turned into beer bottles, beer bottles turned into hoagies. “‘They were throwing anything they could get their hands on’” (Frank, 2020). Trying to lift the spirit proved to not be the best idea. Eagles fans were tired of defending their team while consistently being the worst in the league. No matter how bad the team kept becoming, one thing they would never do, though, is switch sides.

Broad Street Celebrations

In February of 2018, I attended the Eagles Super Bowl parade with my family. What a day–and experience–that was. It seems like forever ago. We got up around five in the morning to catch the train down into Center City. Philadelphians were doing what they do best: climbing random objects. All of the statues near and around the art museum were occupied by fans. Every tree had at least one person in it. The excitement was unimaginable. It felt like it was continuously building up and about to explode. It erupted once the buses with the players came by. Finally bringing home a Super Bowl ring after presumably being the worst team in the league was unbelievable. We stayed to hear Kelce’s speech. It was absolutely invigorating. He listed off every player and criticism that was tied to them. He explained how not only the team, but the staff and coaches simply wanted it more than any other team because of the odds that were stacked against them. He drew from the quote displayed in the locker room and said that underdogs were hungry dogs, and “Hungry dogs run faster”. To wrap it up, he started to sing, “No one likes us. No one likes us. No one likes us, we don’t care. We’re from Philly, F–ing Philly. No one likes us, we don’t care!” It’s understood that there are no positive feelings towards us, and we could not care less. The passion that Kelce spoke with that day, defending the entire city, was remarkable.

Remember the Name

Some may consider being a Philadelphia sports fan, or simply being from here, the worst. With the tainted reputation, it’s difficult to prove others wrong about the city. Yet, the inferiority is what makes the residents and fans that much tougher. For what seems like forever, and still to this day, there is a constant desire to show the rest of the sports world that Philly should be recognized and respected since they are the ultimate underdog. Recently, the rest of America has gotten that message, which is something that fans will not let anyone live down. Though they can be rough sometimes, it all comes from love. After all, it is the City of Brotherly Love.