Philadelphia, my city?
Barring some last-minute plot twist, it is becoming increasingly likely that Philadelphia will become our permanent home (permanent as in, the next half-decade, even though I've already been here nearly as long). Given this reality, there are a few things I am considering.
The inferiority complex is hard to avoid, even as a non-native. But it is also true that, as a non-native, I see the potential greatness of this city. I read somewhere that Philadelphia has a larger percentage of natives than any other big city, and that may be part of its image problem. I definitely feel that the city has a lot to offer, and at the same time I feel a disconnect with the natives. This tension (between natives and non-natives) also exists in Los Angeles, however Los Angeles never seems to market itself in a way that resonates with the reality of the natives. Unfortunately, I think if Philadelphia wants to be seen as more of a world city, it has to attract world citizens, and part of that is to decrease the importance of "native" culture in its marketing and image. Growing up in a world-famous metropolitan area makes me crave importance of place (which is why I love New York). I want to feel as if I'm on the edge of the world. Philly would probably wise to put less emphasis on the past, and a lot more on the future.
Somewhere I read the word provincial used to describe Philadelphia , and maybe it's appropriate. You get the feeling that they would need to import New Yorkers to explain to them how to exploit their inherent assetts (actually, doesn't that describe Ed Rendell?). Natives definitelyknow a lot more about this place than I do, but I feel that what I see as good in the city may be different from what they see.
I don't know.. Eagles going to the Superbowl? I could care less. Wing Bowl? What is a wing bowl, and why does it seem to be such a big deal? Energies focused on getting excited over the wing bowl of all things could be better spent. Is that something you want your city to be known for? Ben Franklin? Didn't care about him before I got here, and care marginally more about him now. There is no way to make Ben Franklin cool. Stop trying. Move on. Maybe give some respect to your historical monuments - treat them like they're important, don't trivialize them or make them cartoons by having folks run around the city dressed up as Ben Franklin. Mummers? Maybe I'll care in another 5 to 10 years. Who but Philadelphians know or care what a Mummer is?
And so, all of this thinking has gotten me to this point. If I'm going to be satisfied with this city, I've got to help, in my own small, insignificant, passive way, to make it the city I (and many others) want. The city in some ways needs to grow up. It can do it -- it has a lot going for it. With all that said, I will try my hardest to avoid using the word "Philly". I think this word epitomizes everything that's holding this city back. People often shed nicknames and the like when maturing, and the city should as well. "Philly" is for the locals. "Philadelphia" is for the world. Natives of San Francisco (a city Philadelphian's who've been there can't seem to stop raving about) hate when their city is called "Frisco". If Philadelphia wants to achieve the status of San Francisco, then maybe it starts with the little things. Years ago, when I began to see the woman who's now my wife in a new light - began to see something special in her, I stopped calling her by her nickname and started using her full first name. So, for various reasons -- since I'm not from here, but also out of respect -- this city will never again be "Philly" to me.
With all of that said, if in the off event we are in Philadelphia even longer than the next 5 - 10 years, I realize that part of my uncomfortableness with Philadelphia may have to do with community. People, I gather, look to find communities that reflect their values and maybe remind them of home. Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, but I don't know if any resemble something close to what I grew up with. So my love-hate relationship with Philadelphia may be as simple as lack of familiarty. Conversely, South Philadelphia, with its growing populations of Vietnamese and Mexicans, is beginning to take on the characteristics of a "Little California". An article in the most recent Philadelphia Weekly talks about some of the difficulties in the morphing of the Italian Market to the International Village, specifically Mexican immigrants, crime, and the ability of the city to change along with its population.
That was a mouthful.. I think I've gotten most of it out..
The inferiority complex is hard to avoid, even as a non-native. But it is also true that, as a non-native, I see the potential greatness of this city. I read somewhere that Philadelphia has a larger percentage of natives than any other big city, and that may be part of its image problem. I definitely feel that the city has a lot to offer, and at the same time I feel a disconnect with the natives. This tension (between natives and non-natives) also exists in Los Angeles, however Los Angeles never seems to market itself in a way that resonates with the reality of the natives. Unfortunately, I think if Philadelphia wants to be seen as more of a world city, it has to attract world citizens, and part of that is to decrease the importance of "native" culture in its marketing and image. Growing up in a world-famous metropolitan area makes me crave importance of place (which is why I love New York). I want to feel as if I'm on the edge of the world. Philly would probably wise to put less emphasis on the past, and a lot more on the future.
Somewhere I read the word provincial used to describe Philadelphia , and maybe it's appropriate. You get the feeling that they would need to import New Yorkers to explain to them how to exploit their inherent assetts (actually, doesn't that describe Ed Rendell?). Natives definitelyknow a lot more about this place than I do, but I feel that what I see as good in the city may be different from what they see.
I don't know.. Eagles going to the Superbowl? I could care less. Wing Bowl? What is a wing bowl, and why does it seem to be such a big deal? Energies focused on getting excited over the wing bowl of all things could be better spent. Is that something you want your city to be known for? Ben Franklin? Didn't care about him before I got here, and care marginally more about him now. There is no way to make Ben Franklin cool. Stop trying. Move on. Maybe give some respect to your historical monuments - treat them like they're important, don't trivialize them or make them cartoons by having folks run around the city dressed up as Ben Franklin. Mummers? Maybe I'll care in another 5 to 10 years. Who but Philadelphians know or care what a Mummer is?
And so, all of this thinking has gotten me to this point. If I'm going to be satisfied with this city, I've got to help, in my own small, insignificant, passive way, to make it the city I (and many others) want. The city in some ways needs to grow up. It can do it -- it has a lot going for it. With all that said, I will try my hardest to avoid using the word "Philly". I think this word epitomizes everything that's holding this city back. People often shed nicknames and the like when maturing, and the city should as well. "Philly" is for the locals. "Philadelphia" is for the world. Natives of San Francisco (a city Philadelphian's who've been there can't seem to stop raving about) hate when their city is called "Frisco". If Philadelphia wants to achieve the status of San Francisco, then maybe it starts with the little things. Years ago, when I began to see the woman who's now my wife in a new light - began to see something special in her, I stopped calling her by her nickname and started using her full first name. So, for various reasons -- since I'm not from here, but also out of respect -- this city will never again be "Philly" to me.
With all of that said, if in the off event we are in Philadelphia even longer than the next 5 - 10 years, I realize that part of my uncomfortableness with Philadelphia may have to do with community. People, I gather, look to find communities that reflect their values and maybe remind them of home. Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, but I don't know if any resemble something close to what I grew up with. So my love-hate relationship with Philadelphia may be as simple as lack of familiarty. Conversely, South Philadelphia, with its growing populations of Vietnamese and Mexicans, is beginning to take on the characteristics of a "Little California". An article in the most recent Philadelphia Weekly talks about some of the difficulties in the morphing of the Italian Market to the International Village, specifically Mexican immigrants, crime, and the ability of the city to change along with its population.
That was a mouthful.. I think I've gotten most of it out..
posted by A at 11:21 a.m.
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