North Philadelphia’s rich culture and history are prioritized by the community, and many fight to preserve its vibrance in the face of growing tensions between the students and locals.
Neighborhood barber shops transform into spaces for men to engage in community discourse, barricaded from an exterior political storm. Frequenters at local recreation centers strive to keep these spaces safe and enjoyable for their children and for generations to come.
North Central is a resilient and powerful community, but it’s an ongoing struggle for students to respect the neighborhood in which they temporarily reside. The dichotomy between Temple and North Central locals continues to be a long-time dialogue on the university’s impact.
Part of Temple’s uniqueness comes from its urban integration. Students must learn community respect and become accustomed to a neighborhood they are not familiar with. But for locals, this area is their livelihood. North Central is their source of familiarity, a prideful corner of Philadelphia where their foundations are deeply rooted.
All these reasons, and more, are why The Temple News decided to highlight North Philadelphia with its first-ever Community Issue. The TTN Features team takes an inside look into the locals preserving the ever-blossoming neighborhood. Many reflect on their triumphs, along with the hardships discovered along the way.
We hope these stories provide just a small glimpse into just how special this community is.
From,
Bayleh Alexander
Features Editor
Temple, North Central navigate complicated relationship
Temple increasing North Philly enrollment amid new initiative
Amos Playground provides a safe haven, despite headwinds
Neighborhood barber shops offer haircuts and community
North Philly native holds weekly studio sessions
Brown Suga Burlesque empowers Black women to embrace their sexuality
Be the first to comment