Civics & Society
A Black History Month Pep-Talk
Ok, y’all, bring it in. It’s time for a pep-talk, Black History Month edition.
Philadelphia’s Homicide Rate is Plummeting. Why Won’t the Narrative Change?
In 2024, Philadelphia’s homicide rate fell to its lowest level in a decade—a stunning 40% drop from the previous year and a sharp decline from the city’s recent high of 559 murders in 2021.
How Philadelphia Plans To Fight Back Against the New Administration’s Most Harmful Orders
Philadelphia City Council held its first hearing following the Trump administration’s inundation of executive orders.
Trump’s New Executive Orders Are a Direct Threat to Philadelphia’s Progress
On his first day back in the White House, Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of executive orders designed to undo years of progress.
Hidden History: Philadelphia Changed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life
Philadelphia played a pivotal part for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. From his formative education to coalition building with the areas most influential voices and organizations to an encounter that would change his life, Philadelphia is one of the central places to the story of Dr. King.
The Sixers Arena Deal Failure: A Lesson in Billionaire Hubris and Weak Politicians
Philadelphia woke up this weekend with a stark reminder of how billionaire developers see the city: a big chessboard on which they capture real estate and toy with local politicians.
The Answer To Philly’s Traffic Problems & Public Transit Underfunding? Congestion Pricing
Although New York City has been considering the idea for years, its current momentum underlines a national shift in how we might rethink our car-first policies.
Racist Text Messages Were Sent to Kids and College Students in Pennsylvania. Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About It?
A few of the text messages allegedly came from devices using the TextNow messaging service, a provider that lets users create free phone numbers to text. The provider is said to be cooperating with authorities.
Why It Matters: the End of the Chevron Deference and How It Will Effect Philadelphia
The fight to protect Philadelphia against environmental challenges is not a new one.
Project 2025 and DOGE: How Philadelphia Will Pay the Price
The promised cuts are not mere political rhetoric; they represent an imminent reality, with Philadelphia standing to lose critical federal funding that supports housing, healthcare, education, and social services.
Jim Crow Perfected: The Parallels Between South Africa’s Apartheid and America’s Segregation
As a Philadelphian, I arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, and immediately felt something click. South Africa, in so many ways, parallels the United States, even down to the struggle for independence against Britain.
Philadelphia’s AI Experiment: The Risk of Tech-Based Policing
Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS) has adopted ZeroEyes, an AI-powered gun detection system. It’s a landmark move—Temple is the first university in Pennsylvania to implement such technology.
We Gon’ Be Aight: Post Election Self Care
The elections have come and we wait for the tallies to be completed. We have all been inundated with text messages about who to vote for, donating, and more.
Philadelphia’s Stadium Fight Mirrors a National Democratic Struggle
On paper, the case for the stadium appears enticing. Proponents tout thousands of construction jobs, increased downtown foot traffic, and the transformative allure of a state-of-the-art sports venue. But peel back the glossy renderings, and the cracks begin to show.
OPINION: Reframing Redemption: The Prison-to-Presidential Pipeline Narrative
Accused of at least 26 counts of sexual misconduct, twice impeached, accused of allegedly inciting a riot, and still elected as the leader of the free world.