Readers Write: “University City” Still Trying To Colonize Baltimore Ave.; “West Philly” Stages Revolt
Recently in West Philly the city has hung bright colored flags along Baltimore Avenue proclaiming the area as University City.This morning on my way to work (I work at Penn and live at 45th and Osage) I noticed some very humorous signs had been put up on almost every light post that I could see. They were encouraging neighbors to rip down the flags, re-decorate them, and then hang them back up somewhere else in the neighborhood. They also encouraged de-facing and there was a convenient map, showing the locations of the flags.
The signs were very tongue-in-cheek and advertised the flag pulling as a fun summer activity. The design was great and was in a similar style as a childrens place mat that you might see at a restaurant.
But what would The Fresh Prince (pictured, looking up at the University City flags out the taxi window as he’s sped away to a place where they put ketchup on spaghetti) think? This war between “new-school” (read: dirty gentrifier) University City and “old-school” (read: ol’ dirty bastards/crust punx) West Philly has been sort-of quietly raging for a little while now, and doesn’t promise to go away anytime soon. If anybody has any photos related to the new Great West Philly Flag Wars Of 2009, please send ‘em in to us, at tips[at]philebrity[dot]com.
Previously: Baltimore Ave.: Now Well-Lit So You Can See All The Weird Vibes
July 7th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
We can only hope both factions take each other out. Philadelphia wins.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Ha ha, HandsomePete.
I’ll pretty much repeat my comment from the previous “Fattest Day in Philly” thread: As beautiful as West Philly was, one can only handle the fakey-conscious trustafarians so much. I never saw any of them interacting with my awesome and mostly black neighbors on my block that they were, in fact, gentrifying. Even those that did attempt some sort of “reaching out” were, as my one neighbor put it, told to “take a damn motherfuckin’ shower!”
July 8th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
does it matter that baltimore avenue actually IS part of university city?
July 10th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Read the small print on these mean spirited signs. I tore one down to hang on to. I thought the signs were not humorous but nasty and malicious, the product of small minds. in these difficult economic times,It boggles my mind to understand the stupidity of the people who badmouth an organization that is trying to attract patrons and businesses that will succeed in this neighborhood. I like being able to go to get great food without having to drive. I like the lack of trash. I like seeing homes and businesses maintained. This is a vibrant neighborhood. Baltimore Ave looks better than it has in years. Green, lush flowers everywhere. 20 years ago people here were afraid to put flowers out, afraid to put furniture on their porches. The’d walk overnight. If these poster people want filth, and grundge and bad Chinese takeout that you order behind a bullet proof window, I’m sure there are choices elsewhere. Find the person who put up these flyers and you’ll find the person who threw silver paint on the Gold Standard’s new signs. By the way it’s been called University City since the 60’s. West Philly is a big place with many different neighborhoods.