The closure of my alma mater is bringing out the Hatorade drinkers in full force. Apparently the three black kids in North Catholic’s Class of 1991 are responsible for the downfall of Philadelphia. Of course, we couch that in more nuanced language, like how “those animals” are destroying the City while “good, hardworking citizens” go without.
I once stated that “the number one past time of residents of the City of Philadelphia is bitching about the City of Philadelphia”. That still holds true. Nothing is making me angrier today than hearing ignorant opinions portrayed as fact about social policy, economic policy, government, and education. Ignorance is more the problem. As far as they are concerned, the sun has set on Philadelphia, and only they know the reasons why.
Said a former classmate (from Facebook):
The shithole where I went to high school is finally closing it’s doors. No more catholic brain-washing, patriotic bullshit, obedience training, herd mentality, sub-standard educating going on in Kensington. I was too much of a frightened racist in 8th grade, or I would have gone to C.A.P.A. Live and Learn.
A good number of Philadelphian’s seem to be clinging to a past that does not quite reflect historical reality. I had a boss who used to call it “rowhome mentality” – they don’t know and are too ignorant to care why things are the way they are. It seems that we could use a “Howard Zinn’s Real History of the City of Philadelphia”.
How did Philadelphia go from being the workshop of the world to its current sorry state? Why aren’t we still at the center of American politics and business? Did we really segregate the City and tell people of different races where they could or couldn’t live? Did Philadelphia almost cause the United States to lose World War II over racism? Why did all the white people flee the city? Why is City government spending so out of control?
These are tough questions and complicated issues. Can’t I just blame “those people”?
Tags: history, Howard Zinn, North Catholic, Philadelphia, river ward
