Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

From the Ouch Files
Not to break balls, but if you do an article which critiques the tour companies on accuracy, you better be sure that you know some of the basics of the city [Cover story, "Tour de Forced," June 30, 2005]. I'm referring to the article on the Big Bus Company. Kelly Drive is on the Schuylkill, not the Delaware.
Michael Sweeney
Via email

Editor's reply: Excellent work, Michael. We were testing our readers, and you were the first to spot this obvious, boneheaded error. (Seriously: mea culpa, dude.)

Brain Claims
In [Cover story, "Why Can't We Keep Them?" June 16, 2005], Doron Taussig suggests that "the only solid strategy for attracting young people is to encourage students to start building networks in the city while you've got them." He cites the conclusion of the Knowledge Industry Partnership study that found that non-native students who interned locally were twice as likely to remain in the area after graduation than those who did not. But he does not push this idea farther. If those students who intern locally are more inclined to stay in Philadelphia, then colleges should be expanding programs for students to work within the community.

A prime example of this type of program is the National Student Partnership, a nonprofit with three offices in Philadelphia, each affiliated with a major university. Student volunteers staff each office, providing one-on-one assistance to Philadelphians seeking sustainable employment, a variety of social services and/or educational opportunities. At the NSP offices, students network and create partnerships throughout Philadelphia, which, in turn, makes them feel accountable to the community around them. Philadelphia should be spurring activism in its neighborhoods by supporting programs that make the most out of the geographical closeness between the college campus and the community around it.
Gaby Kipnis
University City

Philadelphia's Young Nonprofit Leaders is a thriving group of 800 young nonprofit professionals dedicated to providing peer support, networking opportunities, professional development and leadership development to emerging leaders. While I realize one grassroots network is not the magic answer to the problem of retaining young idealists in Philadelphia, it is a significant positive force that was created organically to help alleviate the isolation young idealists feel. And it is only one of several such supportive networks that have been started over the last five years specifically to help address the issues raised in your article. For example, among many others, there are Social Change Leaders, a project of Greater Philadelphia Cares; Young Involved Philadelphia; and Emerging Philanthropists in Philadelphia — each of which provides peer-led supportive programs for young nonprofit professionals. City Paper deserves credit for bringing new attention to this challenge, I just wish you would bring equal attention to the positive efforts already under way to address the challenge.
Dottie Schindlinger
Co-president, Philadelphia Young Nonprofit Leaders

Your writer failed to touch on a significant reason — one that's painfully obvious — why Philadelphia is a rather disappointing place to set down roots: No mention was made of the potential for finding a relationship in this town.

I am single and have many single friends both younger and older who say the same thing: When it comes to dating, this city, in a word, sucks. I don't have any friends, male or female, who think dating in Philly is a worthwhile pursuit anymore, for a variety of reasons. These people — young, intelligent, well-educated, professional people — have given up.

As an adopted Philadelphian, I can perhaps be more objective than others, and what I see is an attitude that's not likely to change, but will be one of the reasons why I will move elsewhere in the next couple of years. Your story focused on career opportunities, public transportation, financial incentives and a political identity, but while these things might bring people to a city, one of the strongest bonds a person can develop with a city is not based on a what, but a who, will keep them there.
Name Withheld
Society Hill

Food Fight
Elisa Ludwig recently released her ill experience to the streets of Philadelphia, this experience being the negative review of Lula, where I am the chef [Food, "Turn Off the Tapas," June 30, 2005]. I can take criticism like no other. It's part of my job. It is required of me to accept criticism humbly, but you need to know what you're talking about when discussing the cuisine, as well as understanding my style. I was never contacted about this review, or questioned on any of the preparations that are involved in these unique dishes that I prepare for my clientele. In fact, descriptions were inaccurate, especially the ingredients contained in the salmon relish. Every item that I prepare is with precision, care and a unique form of colorful presentations. All ingredients are prepared fresh daily, and all items cooked to order with my presence seven days a week. Who does she think she is, Ms. Laban?
Robert Leget
Via email

State over Church
In the battle between Rev. [Dr. Ken] Staley and Councilman [Michael] Nutter over the vacant land on Parkside Avenue [News, "Holy War," Jenna Portnoy, June 23, 2005], I must side with the councilman. I have heard of many people who can't find jobs, but few who can't find a church.
W.G. O'Rourke
Center City

Cover-up Controversy
I agree that there is far too much juvenile flesh on parade [Slant, "A Modest Proposal," Nancy French, June 23, 2005]. Virtually everything has become sexualized in some way. This is a strange society in which sex is not to be discussed openly or realistically, but is then splashed about the media and the junior clothing racks. But I disagree with French's point about sex education (such as it is). Accurate information provides young girls with the means to make proper decisions and to counter the pressures put on them by those who would wish them to remain misinformed. There is no getting around the fact that children become sexually aware at an alarmingly young age, and with that awareness needs to come some guidance. Easier said than done, of course, but denial puts even more pressure on kids to fill in the blanks.
Jeanine Farrell
Via email

I plan to take French's advice to heart, so I want to be absolutely clear on all points. Am I correct in saying her thesis is ultimately: "Wear more clothes and suck up the heat stroke, you fake-titted sluts, because I don't like my daughter getting Bratz dolls in her Happy Meals"?

I was with French for her first few paragraphs: OK, modesty is good for everyone, that's fine. But why, in her world, are women the only bastions of modesty? Why no follow-up paragraph about men on the street doing their part for the cause by giving me a fucking break from the weird noises and sexual suggestions when I'm walking to the post office at 2 p.m. wearing jeans and a T-shirt? To be fair, French did sort of cover this in her article: my shirt might occasionally ride up from friction from my shoulder bag, bearing a half-inch swatch of skin and making me a "skank-ho" who can expect nothing more of the men I pass on the street than treatment as such. If only I'd worn that ankle-skimming floral print skirt, those weird noises might be accompanied by marriage proposals instead.

French's real offense lies not in her antiquated, classic misogynistic assertions, but in her lack of ability to even make these standard cliches stick. First, women are being too sexy, "introduc[ing] a sexual element into all interactions." Then, "secondly," they are not introducing that sexiness the right way: "restraint" is "more erotic." If this were the case, wouldn't French actually be against tasteful and generously cut clothing because it makes women even more irresistible than tops with poor nipple-cloaking design? Wouldn't she think "ankle slips" were just as inappropriate as a visible butt crack?

Her most shock-inducing claim, however, is that because women wear revealing clothing, her young girl gets a scantily dressed toy as part of a giant food chain's marketing ploy. (By the way, we do all realize that the doll's bared midriff probably exerts about 1/100th of the negative impact on her child as does the McDonald's food itself, right?)

Since when are advertising campaigns sources of accurate depictions of reality, and since when are young women trying to minimize their summer discomfort the masterminds behind them? Since when is the way another woman dresses responsible for what your daughter learns about sex?
Monica Shores
Center City

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