Almost every week the Times publishes one or more heated rants about how Northeast Philadelphia is "going to Hell in a handbasket." Violent confrontations are cited, whether it's black youth going to WOW or the latest black-on-white mugging. There are also a lot of "code words" used to refer to the increasing number of black residents in the Northeast. Terms such as "section 8, renters, transient housing, etc." These letters unfortunately only seem to heighten racial tensions. Very few of them explicitly say this, but they all seem to convey one very powerful, underlying message: "If you're white, get out while you're still able to do so!"

To be sure, there are plenty of crimes committed by those of other races, including whites. In fact, the scariest incident I've personally had with an aggressive panhandler was a white man in Fishtown. So it goes without saying that we're against criminals and for good people, regardless of color. I'm white and I know several black people at work who feel the same way. It's become an overused cliche, but "Can't we all get along?" But, sadly, it seems like we can't. So, is it my imagination, or is Northeast Philly possibly the WORST section of the city for the overall mixture of racial tension and interracial crimes?

We can all get along but until the quality of life concerns are addressed by Mayor street and the PPD, people will still assume that color is the root of our problems here in Mayfair, and they arent.

__________________
This is the world we live in
And these are the hands were given
Use them and lets start trying
To make it a place worth living in.

I agree with Nytecat and Mayfairchick. Spreading the message of fear in Northeast Philadelphia is totally counterproductive towards maintaining it as a series of series of stable, attractive neighborhoods. And making dramatic progress towards solving Northeast Philadelphia's problems--with the aid of all city government agencies, including the police department--would undercut dramatically the emotions displayed in letter after letter in the Northeast Times.

The Northeast Times views itself as a forum for all residents of the greater Northeast. I would urge those with a more positive vision of the future of Northeast Philadelphia to write letters to the Northeast Times to help drown out the weekly voices of despair and hopelessness. The real estate market certainly tells a different story from these angry voices, as prices continue to rise to record levels concurrently with demographic changes.

__________________
Improving government for the average citizen


Thanks for electing me Delegate to the Democratic National Convention From the First Congressional District Supporting Barack Obama. Serving as an Obama delegate was a truly inspiring experience.

Just one issue. I rent, I'm white. Does that interupt the code words?

Also, "Section 8" is/was the actual name for those houses/the program. And there are probably the same number blacks as any other race.

Sometime I think the times puts these things out to raise a stink with people.

But don't get me wrong. I agree with your two responses to this. Addressing the problem and just talking about how bad it is and who makes it bad and degrading them doesnt help. I doesnt matter what race we are.. we all bleed red and were all created equal. Now that doesnt mean the after we were created we made some stupid choices that made us rob, rape and kill people. But I think everyone deserves a chance, but that chance runs out when they break the law or become really irresponsible with their property or cleanliness in our neighborhoods.

__________________
Are you one who complains and does nothing? Or one who complains and gets involved to make a change?

People are venting. The paper publishes it. If it is code words being used as you think it's because as caucasians we're not allowed to just come out and say "My neighborhood is getting bad, and the blacks moving in are commiting the crime". You see that would make us bad people.

Yes, criminals come in all colors, but try and see our point, and what we're going through. If you lived in a neighborhood which is all white for 40 years and then the ol' Section 8 was introduced and our crime has risen it makes people stop, and say hmmmmmm.

The Times is fair in my opinion, and people are actually venting which is good. Know we are afraid that what is happening in Frankford has headed up to our neighborhood. We shouldn't have to live like this, and in my opinion what the Times is relaying is fact. I mean if the shoe fits then wear it. Don't blame the Times. It's a concern from people that are staying here, and if it's having to do with racial tension than so be it.

I give the authors as well as the Times credit. No longer do we have to fearful
that if we say what is truly on our minds we'll be pegged as racists. Sure there's plenty of criminals from different races who live with us. There's no question, but relaying just what has happened to someone, and they vent or educate it shouldn't be shoved under the rug.

Ace, I think you read my post wrong. I was not blaming the times.. I was giving them credit. a pat on the back. A stink needs to be raised. I agreed with the replies. I love the times and the fact taht they print alot of letters that cause controversy.. controversy gets people talking and 'sometimes' gets things done.

^5 for the times

__________________
Are you one who complains and does nothing? Or one who complains and gets involved to make a change?

You don't even have to look at race, or even the Times. You can jump over to the Inquirer and read story after story. _______ shot _______ in Kensington/Frankford/Oxford Circle (circle one).

It's a modern day version of MadLibs--the Crackhead Edition.

__________________
WHYY pays their CEO $750,000 a year. So WHYY should I renew my membership? Seems they have no problems finding money and spending it unwisely.


And this is why you should donate to PACCA, not PETA:

In September, PETA made headlines in Vermont and across the nation for asking Ben & Jerry's ice cream to use human breast milk in their ice cream, instead of cow milk

The original poster was implying that it publishes letters which they find has people using code words for blaming non Caucasians for crime, and such which we are now being run over by.

It's people's opinions, and they have a right to share them. Again, if in fact people are blaming places like WOW for our demise it's just the truth. Considering it's people who come from other neighborhoods who are pulling our neighborhood apart. The fact they're predominately black is just fact.

If it was a bunch of Caucasian kids wrecking havoc from WOW I am sure letters would be published about that too.

is marc cohan deh same senitor who taked lotsa money wif the pay raze and deh same guy who buyed lotsa books from deh state?

According to his profile, he is. The link he has to his "personal" website goes to a hack for a "resume writing" service.

__________________
PGP key: 0xB69AE59B
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| "When you choose your friends, don't get
| short-changed by choosing personality
| over character." ... - W. Somerset Maugham
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~