Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerryiz
As a native Philadelphian I appreciate being able to read and look and try to understand all of the posts that I see about Philly living. I haven't lived in Philly in probably 30 or so years but I definitely still care about the city and it's Citizens. I see both sides of the argument in regards to QOL issues. I grew up on 54th and Addison St where my mother still lives, right around the corner from the 18th Police District. I think the big difference comes to the core of these blocks or neighborhoods. For example my mother's block Captain and neighborhood watch has an active Block that participates in things because we have known each other for most of our lives. As the parents die off or move and hand their homes off to their children or their children's children, the culture and the feel of these blocks and neighborhoods start to change. I no longer know everyone on my Mother's Block and the surrounding blocks and that's what has changed. Not saying that all the new neighbors are bad, but most new neighbors don't come from the same "community" based approach as we had growing up. I am 53 years old now, my mother is 87 and lives alone. I never used to worry about her because I knew between my family and my friends and neighbors living down there, that they would look out for her. I have lost that sense of security. I hope the city continues to grow and prosper and I wish I had the answers but I do not. I just try to be optimistic.
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Thanks so much for sharing that. Even as a Millennial, I often feel nostalgic for pre-social media days in which social interaction was much more personable, ingrained and focused on positive action.
The decline in civic society is one of the most threatening and pressing trends we face both locally and globally, and I strongly believe it has been one of the biggest precursors to dramatic increases in anxiety, violence and political polarization. But alas, that's a whole other forum. On the bright side, even as evidenced by the participation and popularity of Philly on SSP, I think the city has an exceptionally strong inclination for engaging with neighbors and community. It can
never lose that attribute.