Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez: The making of an unperson
You might say it was like white Americans learning that George Washington, among other Founding Fathers, was a slave holder. In our present culture, that is evil.
Frank Rizzo
Update: Frank Rizzo statue deal set to close
Updating a story published on Jan. 24, 2024: Crusading lawyer George Bochetto, who brought suit against the city on behalf of the Frank L. Rizzo Monument Committee, tells me a deal to return the statue to its rightful owner will be signed “within the next few days.” The city will
Culture
Candidates Parker, Oh: Restore Rizzo statue
Happy Columbus Day. Yes, I said it.. Men of controversy: Christopher Columbus (left); Frank Rizzo Mayor Jim Kenney acted outside his authority by killing Columbus Day and declaring it Indigenous People’s Day. Contracts with city unions make Columbus Day a paid holiday, so it is “official,” while Indigenous People’
Critical Race Theory
A critique of Critical Race Theory: Part I
Let’s talk about CRT — Critical Race Theory, in the news now because (primarily) conservatives don’t want it taught in the schools their children attend. But to discuss it, we have to understand it. What is it? I have looked around what I’ve found reminds me of the
Politics
Statues Commission: Select random citizens
Sometimes, without meaning to, Philadelphia’s city government stumbles into doing something right. One thing last week was the approval of a new citizens advisory board to oversee the police department. Philly has had one for a while, but it was underfunded, understaffed, and had few teeth for enforcement. It
Jim Kenney
Let's get rid of Independence Day. Why not?
For the past couple of years, as we sailed into October, I noticed the city put out a notice that City Hall would be closed on the second Monday, for “a holiday.” It did not mention the name of the holiday. Sssssh. Columbus Day. Mayor Kenney now has abandoned flying
Cancel Culture
Let democracy decide statues‘ fate
We have a monumental problem, one that is statuesque, too — monuments and statues falling victim to vigilantes of the cancel culture. It’s happening across America, but I will focus on Philadelphia, the Birthplace of America, a land designed by and for the rule of law, or so we thought.
Christopher Columbus
Mayor Weathervane surrenders to the mob
Once again Jim Kenney, Mayor Weathervane, has spun around and around and come out pointing the wrong way, in support of the howling mob. We know there is a controversy around Christopher Columbus and there are strong opinions on both sides. That’s why I proposed putting Columbus on trial,
Race
U.S. needs a Truth Commission on race
After winning his decades-long battle to end apartheid in his homeland, and becoming South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela did a remarkable thing. Instead of seeking vengeance against the white minority that had suffocated the black majority for so long, he established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. to
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus: Put him on trial
Christopher Columbus says, “Don’ta trust you mayor.” He means Mayor Gutless, who has punted the issue of the statue of the Italian explorer/criminal (your choice) to Philadelphia’s Art Commission. “That’sa what he said about the statue of Francesco Rizzo, says Columbus, “but he move it in